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Indiana Boat Registration Overview

All you should know about registering and titling a boat in Indiana.

Indiana boat registration and titling overview is a free public service designed to inform boaters about operational requirements, recording methods, and record search lookups for the State of Indiana. This includes essential references for the most detailed and accurate information currently available.

References and Referrals


Registration and Titling Agency

Boat registration and titling in Indiana are administered by the Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) which is headquartered in Indianapolis. Services are also provided by any of the BMV field offices located throughout the state.
Registration Statistics: There are approximately 200,616 boats currently registered in the State of Indiana which accounts for 1.7% nationwide. USCG vessel documentation records indicate 3,356 documented owners with an Indiana address and 2,266 documented vessels that display an Indiana hailing port.
Uniform Titling: Indiana has not yet adopted the Uniform Certificate of Title for Vessels Act (UCOTVA) which basically sets the same nationwide standards for boat titling as those for vehicles. There are no provisions for title branding of stolen boats, accidents or salvaging in Indiana.
Vessel Information System: Indiana participates in the Vessel Identification System (VIS) where boat registration data is shared among government agencies throughout the nation.

Registration and Titling Requirements

Indiana requires registration and titling on all non-exempt boats that operate within its jurisdictional waters. The following are basic requirements and exemptions with further details available from the referrals for this page.
Motor Boats:
Motorized boats must be registered in Indiana with certain exceptions.
Sailboats: Sailboats must be registered in Indiana with certain exceptions.
Canoes and Kayaks: Manually propelled canoes and kayaks are exempt from registration in Indiana.
Inflatable Boats: Inflatable boats must be registered in Indiana if powered.
Dinghies and Lifeboats: Dinghies must be registered in Indiana if powered and lifeboats are exempt if used exclusively for such purpose.
Documented Vessels: Coast Guard documented vessels are subject to registration but may not become titled in Indiana.
Visiting Boats: Boats registered in another state may visit Indiana for not more than 60 consecutive days during a calendar year and 180 days if moored in a Lake Michigan marina. Foreign boats may visit temporarily.
Boat Titles: Boat titles are required in Indiana on all registered boats unless acquired by the owner before January 1, 1986.
Residency Requirements: Non-residents may register a boat in Indiana if this is the principal state of usage.
Outboard Motors: Registration and titling are not available for outboard boat motors in Indiana.
Boat Trailers: Boat trailers weighing over 2,000 Lbs. must be registered and titled in Indiana. Those under 2,000 Lbs. must be registered but not titled.

Registration Application

Boat registrations and titles are available in Indiana by regular mail or in person at a BMV office. In doing so, you will need to provide evidence of ownership, fees and taxes.
Application Forms: The titling and registration forms in Indiana are one in the same, although this is confusing because the form does not indicate registration. However, titling and registration go hand in hand.
Manufacturer's Statement: When a new boat is to be registered for the first time, you must present a Manufacturer's Statement of Origin (MSO) or Builder's certification. The statement or certification must be properly assigned into your name or accompanied by a bill of sale.
Previous Title: When a boat was previously state titled, you must present a properly assigned title certificate or one that is accompanied by a bill of sale.
Previous Registration: If a boat was registered in a non-title state, it will be necessary to present an assigned registration certificate or one that is accompanied by a bill of sale.
Loan Foreclosures: In order to register a foreclosed boat, the lender will need to provide evidence of compliance with the respective state laws.
Mechanic's Liens: In order to register a boat foreclosed on towing, storage and service possessory liens you must provide evidence of compliance with state lien laws.
Abandoned Boats: In order to register an abandoned boat you must provide evidence of compliance with state abandoned property laws.
Title Bonding: Boat title bonding in Indiana is not available where sufficient proof of ownership is unavailable. A court order will be required in these situations.
Registration Fees: The most current list of boat registration fees may be found by visiting the BMV website.

Numbering Requirements

Boat registration numbers in Indiana begin with an "IN" designation which is followed by four numbers and then two letters. These must be displayed on all registered boats along with the current registration decals. State boat numbering configuration, size and placement requirements are actually dictated by federal regulations. More detailed information can be found in the referrals for this page.
Hull Numbers: All vessels built after 1972 are required to have a properly formatted 12 digit hull identification number. Although typically assigned and installed by the manufacturer, owners with older, homemade, or imported boats may apply to the BMV for a hull number assignment. These are prefixed with the letters "INZ" in place of the manufacturer's identification code (MIC). Boats must be inspected by a law enforcement official whenever their is a missing or deficient hull identification number.

Lien and Security Interest Recordings

The available options for securing loans, liens and claims against boats registered Indiana are determined by various factors. These include the type of debt, obligation or liability and whether the boat is USCG documented or state titled.
Loan Security Interests: Boat loan security interests on titled boats in Indiana are listed on the certificate of title. Security interests in non-titled and non-documented boats must recorded as UCC filings with the Secretary of state. If a boat qualifies for USCG documentation, the lender must obtain a preferred mortgage in order to perfect or prioritize its security interest. These are recorded with the National Vessel Documentation Center.
Tax Liens: Tax liens are sometimes flagged in the state's boat registration database, recorded as Uniform Commercial Code filings, shown on state revenue records, or filed with a county clerk's office. A tax lien search for Indiana is available from the referrals for this page.
Mechanic's Liens: There are no means of recording mechanics or storage liens on Indiana boat registration records. However these may be listed for informational purposes on a documented vessel's underlying abstract of title. Our boat lien claims registry also serves as a proprietary source of exposing such information to the general public.
Stolen Boats: Although stolen boats do not actually qualify as maritime liens, the true owner may have rights of recovery regardless of a subsequent owner's awareness. There are no methods for recording stolen boats in Indiana other than by filing a report with a local law enforcement agency. These will in turn become listed in their stolen boat database and perhaps the National Crime Information Center database. Our stolen boat registry also serves as a proprietary database for the boating industry.

Title and Lien Searches

Title and lien search methods for Indiana registered boats will vary according to the type of lien and whether the boat is USCG documented.
Registration Database Searches: Registration and title records for Indiana are maintained in a database administered by the Bureau of Motor Vehicles. Access to such data is available for owners and certain qualified parties as prescribed by regulatory standards. Comprehensive guidelines about boat record searches in Indiana can be found in the references for this page.
UCC Searches: Uniform Commercial Code filing searches in Indiana are available online from the Secretary of State's office.
Tax Lien Searches: State and Federal tax liens on boats are not always recorded in a consistent manner and are therefore difficult to identify. They may show up as a flag on state registration records, as UCC filings, in state revenue records, in a county clerks records, or on a vessel's abstract of title for documented boats. Given these disparities, it may be worth obtaining the services of a public record vendor that has access to a broad range of personal lien recordings.
USCG Documentation Searches: Ownership, mortgage and lien information on USCG documented vessels can be obtained by ordering an abstract of title from the National Vessel Documentation Center. Information on how to go about this can be found in the referrals for this page.
Non-Recorded Liens: Non-recorded maritime liens may also be a factor in conducting lien searches. These may include liabilities for items such as services, equipment, fuel, storage, parts, supplies, and damages which are related to the boat itself. This type of research can only be determined through personal investigation, owner disclosures, and boat history lookups.
Owner Background Checks: Yacht brokers, documentation companies and attorneys do not warrant or guarantee titles. There is moreover no such thing as boat title insurance in the marine industry. It is therefore incumbent on the owner to stand behind any such representations. This will of course be of no consolation if a guarantor is insolvent, non-cooperative, or can not be subsequently located. A thorough background check to ensure the owner's inclination and ability for making good on any hidden liens or title deficiencies is recommended. Information on how to go about this can be found in the referrals for this page.
Business Entity Search: You should run a business entity search when dealing with a boat registered to an entity such as a corporation or limited liability company. This will help confirm the legitimacy of such enterprise and identify those authorized to act on its behalf. An online search portal for doing so is maintained by the Secretary of State which can be accessed from the referrals for this page.
Stolen Boat Search: Indiana does not maintain a list of boats that have been stolen within the state. You will need to contact a law enforcement agency for such information.
Proprietary Searches: Our proprietary lien claims and stolen boat registries may prove helpful and are free if charge. These can be accessed from the referrals for this page.

Taxes and Insurance

Sales and Use Tax: A boat excise tax is required on boats in Indiana and must be paid at the time of registration.
Personal Property Tax: Boats are not subject to personal property tax assessments in Indiana.
Insurance Requirements: Boat liability and collision insurance are not required in Indiana. However, you should check with a local insurance agent as this may be subject to change without notice. In any event, insurance is highly recommended and you may also need this for moorage purposes or when making a loan on the boat.

Operator Requirements

Operator Requirements: No one under 15 may operate a boat in Indiana with more than 10HP or a Personal Watercraft. Operators over 15 must carry a boater education card.
Accident Reporting:  Boating accidents in Indiana must be immediately reported to the Sheriffs office or a local enforcement agency.
Notifications: The BMV must be notified within 25 days whenever a registered or titled boat has been transferred, stolen, lost, abandoned. This also applies to ownership and address changes.
Enforcement Agency: The county sheriffs officers are primarily responsible for boating law enforcement in Indiana. However, all law enforcement agencies are authorized to enforce boating laws.

Conclusion

The information provided herein is gathered from various sources and may be subject to errors, omissions or changes without notice. You should consult directly with the appropriate agency or a qualified attorney before taking any actions based on this overview.


References and Referrals
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