Arkansas Boat Registration Overview
All you should know about boat registration and titles in Arkansas.
The Arkansas boat registration overview is designed to inform the boating public about registration requirements, recording methods, and registration search lookups for the State of Arkansas. This includes a comprehensive listing of direct references for the most detailed and accurate information currently available.
Registration Agency
Arkansas boat registration and titling is administered by the
Department of Finance and Administration (DFA) through its Office of Motor Vehicle
(OMV) in Little Rock. Registration and title services are available from the home
office or from any state revenue office. These include walk-in or mail-in
applications only as online services are not available.
Registration Statistics
- There are approximately 229,497 boats currently registered in the State of
Arkansas which accounts for 2.0% nationwide. USCG vessel documentation
records indicate 1,665 owners with an Arkansas address and 570 documented vessels that display an Arkansas hailing port.
Registration and Title Requirements
Registration is required on boats that operate principally in
Arkansas waters. This includes those propelled by sail, motor
and trolling devices. Exemptions include Coast Guard documented
vessels, lifeboats, and boats registered in another state for a
visitation period of 90 days. A complete list of exemptions is available from
the Office of Motor Vehicle website. Registration certificates
must be carried onboard whenever the subject boat is underway.
Registration
Renewals - Boat registrations in Arkansas must be
renewed periodically through the Office of Motor Vehicle. Visit
its website for additional information.
Boat Titles - Titling is mandatory for registered boats in
Arkansas with a manufacture date of
2020 and thereafter. It is not otherwise available, even as an option.
In these cases, the registration certificate will serve as
evidence of ownership, even though not technically viewed as a
title. Coast guard documented vessels are prohibited from having
state titles.
Deficient Title Bonding - Bonding is available in Arkansas for titling or registering boats without sufficient
proof of ownership. Contact the Office of Motor Vehicle for further information.
Boat Title Branding - Arkansas does not yet implement title branding for salvaged, damaged, or rebuilt
boats.
There are no auctioneer or rebuilder reporting requirements.
Outboard Motor Registration - Stand alone registration and titling is not available for outboard boat motors in
Arkansas. However, their serial numbers may be listed on title and registration
certificates.
Boat Trailers - Boat trailers are registered in Arkansas but not titled.
Reporting Requirements - Abandoned or destroyed boats in Arkansas must be reported to the Office of Motor
Vehicle within 15 days. New boat registrations and changes must be reported within
30 days.
Numbering and Marking
Boat registration numbers in Arkansas begin with an "AR" designation which is
followed by four numbers and then two letters. These must be displayed on all
non-documented boats along with registration sticker tabs.
Placement information can be found on the DFA website.
Documented Vessels - Coast Guard documented vessels
are exempt from registration and do not display any state
registration numbers. However they must display an owner
designated vessel name, and a hailing port. An official
documentation number must also be affixed to a visible interior
location of
the hull itself or an integral part of the hull.
Hull Identification Numbers - All vessels manufactured after 1972 are required to have a 12 digit hull
identification number affixed to the vessel by the manufacturer. Owners with vessels
manufactured prior to 1972 or those with no identification numbers may apply
with the Fish and Game Commission for a hull number assignment which will be prefixed with
the letters "ARZ". Hull number inspections are required from the Game and Fish
Commission whenever there is a discrepancy.
Security Interests and Liens
Security interests such
as marine loans on state titled boats in Arkansas are listed on the
certificate of title. In this case, the certificate is sent directly to the
secured party. Upon retirement of the obligation, it is then endorsed and
handed over to the registered owner. The released title must be
thereafter submitted to the Office of Motor vehicles for re-issuance.
Documented Vessels - On boats that are currently USCG
documented, any mortgages or lien claims will be shown on the underlying abstract of title.
They are not, however, listed on the certificate of documentation
itself.
Non-titled Boats -
Security interests in a boat that is neither titled or documented, are
recorded as Uniform Commercial Code filings with the Secretary of State.
Such filings may, however, lose priority if the boat becomes subsequently
titled or documented .
Mechanic's and
Storage Liens - There are no provisions for recording mechanic's
liens, storage liens or other non-secured claims on the state level.
Although these may be recorded on documented vessels, they serve as a
notifications only and do not automatically confer rights of foreclosure.
Tax Liens - Boat tax liens are
sometimes flagged in the state's registration database, recorded as Uniform
Commercial Code filings, shown on state revenue records, filed with a county clerk's
office, or recorded on a USCG abstract of title.
Personal Property Liens - Boats are often provisioned with
expensive furnishings, equipment, electronics and supplies that are not essential to the boat or its operations.
Secured parties may accordingly file separate UCC recordings for such items
as an added measure of protection.
Databases and Record Searches
Arkansas boat title and
registration records are maintained by the Department of Finance and
Administration through its Office of Motor Vehicle. Insights on how to go
about conducting searches and obtaining record copies can be found in the
Referrals for this overview.
UCC Search - The Arkansas uniform commercial code (UCC) database
is administered by the Secretary of
State Office. Information on how to go about searching for and obtaining
records can be found on the Secretary of State website or by using a public record vendor.
Tax Lien Search - 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 red 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.
Documented Vessel Search - A preliminary vessel documentation
database search is available from the References for this overview. It can be
searched by the official number, hull identification number or vessel name.
Transaction and historical recordings can be obtained by ordering an
Abstract of Title.
Business Information Search - Information about business and legal entities registered in Arkansas can be obtained by searching the
Secretary of State's business records online.
Personal Background Search - Personal background information about a boat owner can be obtained from any
number of online internet services. Although not fully conclusive, these can help in determining whether an owner has the wherewithal to make good on any representations of a free and clear title.
Taxes and Insurance Requirements
Sales tax on boats is collected by dealers of new and used boats in Arkansas.
Sales tax does not apply on person to person sales. Personal property taxes are assessed on
boats located in Arkansas.
Alabama requires proof of liability insurance for all personal watercraft and motorboats powered by engines of more than 50 horsepower.
The policy must be issued by an insurance company authorized to do business in Arkansas and must provide at least $50,000 of liability coverage per occurrence.
Operator and Safety Requirements
Anyone born on or after January 1, 1986
wile operating a motorboat, PWC or sailboat in Arkansas is required by law to pass a boater safety course
and to carry a boater education card.
Boating
accidents must be reported immediately to the Arkansas Game & Fish
Commission or local Sheriff’s Department if a person dies or disappears, is
injured or if damages exceed $2,000.
Conclusion
Arkansas boat registration rules, regulations, fees and procedures change frequently and often without notice. As such, you should always visit the References and Referrals associated with this overview before relying on the information provided herein. Please also visit the link shown below to share any comments, suggestions or corrections you may have regarding the content of this summary.
References and Referrals Comments - Suggestions - Corrections