Kansas Boat Registration Overview
All you should know about registering and operating a boat in Kansas
Our Kansas boat registration overview is a free public service designed to inform boaters about operational requirements, recording methods and record search lookups for the State of Kansas. This includes essential references for the most detailed and accurate information currently available.
Registration Agency
Boat registrations in Kansas are administered by the
Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) which is headquartered in Pratt.
Services are also provided by regional KDWP offices, a state parks office or
through a registration agent.
Registration Statistics: There are approximately 79,812 boats
currently registered in the State of Kansas which accounts for 0.7%
nationwide. USCG vessel documentation records indicate 1,290 documented
owners with a Kansas address and 785 documented vessels that display an
Kansas hailing
port.
Uniform Titling: Kansas is a registration only state and has
not yet adopted the Uniform Certificate of Title for Vessels Act. This
basically sets the same nationwide standards for boat titling as those for
vehicles. There are no provisions for registration branding of stolen boats, accidents or salvaging in
Kansas.
Vessel Information System: Kansas participates in the Vessel
Identification System where boat registration data is shared among government agencies throughout the nation.
Registration Requirements
Kansas requires registrations on all motorized boats and sailboats
within its jurisdictional waters. The following are basic
requirements and exemptions with further details available from the
referrals for this page.
Motor Boats: All motorized boats must be
registered in Kansas.
Sailboats:
All sailboats must be registered in Kansas.
Canoes and Kayaks: Manually propelled canoes and kayaks are exempt
from registration in Kansas.
Inflatable Boats:
Manually propelled Inflatable boats must are exempt from registration in
Kansas.
Dinghies and
Lifeboats: Manually propelled dinghies and sailboats are
exempt from registration in Kansas.
Documented Vessels:
Coast Guard documented vessels are subject to registration in Kansas.
Visiting Boats:
Boats registered in another state may visit Kansas for up to 60
consecutive days.
Boat Titles:
Boat titles are not available in Kansas.
Residency
Requirements: Non-residents may register a boat in Kansas when this
becomes the primary state of operation.
Outboard Motors: Registration and titling are not
available for outboard boat motors in Kansas.
Notifications:
The KDWP must be notified within 15 days of any changes in an ownership or
operational status.
Boat Trailers: Boat trailers weighing over 2,000 Lbs. must be registered and titled in
Kansas.
Registration Application
Boat registrations are available in Kansas by
visiting a state park, regional KWDP office or registration
agent. Registrations are also available online or by mail from
Pratt operations office.
Application Forms: Registration application forms are
available from the KWDP website. A special form is required for
USCG documented vessels.
Renewals: Boat
registrations in Kansas can be renewed online or by visiting a
state park, regional KWDP office or approved registration agent.
Registrations can be also be renewed by mailing in the renewal
notice to the Pratt operations office.
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 storage or property laws.
Title Bonding: Boat registration bonding in Kansas is not
available when there is insufficient proof of ownership. A court
order would be required in these situations.
Registration Fees:
The most current list of boat registration fees may be found by
visiting the KWDP website.
Numbering Requirements
Boat registration numbers in Kansas begin with a
"KA" 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 KWDP boat registration website.
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 KWDP for a hull number
assignment. These are prefixed with the letters "KAZ" 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 in Kansas 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: Kansas is a boat registration only
state and does not issue titles. Security interests on non-documented boats
are, therefore, 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.
Mechanic's Liens:
There are no means of recording mechanics or storage liens on
Kansas boat registration records. However these may be listed
for informational purposes on a USCG 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 Kansas 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 Kansas registered
boats will vary according to the type of lien and whether the
boat is USCG documented.
Registration Database Searches:
Registration records for Kansas are maintained in a database
administered by the Department of Parks and Wildlife. Access to
such data is available for owners and the general public.
Comprehensive guidelines about boat record searches in Kansas can
be found in the references for this page.
UCC Searches:
Uniform Commercial Code filing searches in Kansas 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.
Such records are maintained by the Secretary of State which can be accessed from the referrals for
this page.
Stolen Boat Search: Kansas 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:
Sales and use taxes apply to boat transactions in Kansas. Visit
the Department of Revenue website for further information.
Personal Property
Tax: Boats are subject to personal property tax assessments
in Kansas.
Insurance
Requirements: Boat liability and collision insurance are not
required in Kansas. However, you should check with the KDPW 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: Anyone under the age
of 21 must complete an approved boater education course before
operating any watercraft in Kansas.
Accident Reporting:
Boating accidents in Kansas must be reported to the
Department of Wildlife and Parks or a local enforcement agency.
They will instruct you on the proper reporting procedures.
Enforcement Agency: Department of Wildlife and Parks officers are primarily responsible for
boating law enforcement in Kansas. 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