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.
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
Comments - Suggestions - Corrections