Kansas Boat Registration Summary
Kansas boat registration summary is a free resource designed to inform the boating public about registration requirements, recording methods, and title search guidelines for the State of Kansas. The data is maintained as an open wiki forum where readers are encouraged to participate by sharing knowledge and experiences with this particular state. Simply click on the "Wiki-Share" link to contribute further details or suggest a revision.
This information is subject to change and should be confirmed with the respective agency.
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State of Kansas
Department of Wildlife, Parks, and Tourism
Boat Registration Web Site
Registration Overview -
Kansas is a boat registration only state and does not issue titles. All non-exempt boats operating within this jurisdiction are administered by the Department of Wildlife and Parks in Pratt. Titling and registration is not required in Kansas for outboard boat motors. Boat trailer registrations and titles are required on loads over 2,000 lbs. in Kansas. They are optional for those weighing less. Sales tax applies to boat transactions and personal property taxes are assessed on boats. There are approximately 84,468 boats registered in the State of Kansas. This accounts for 0.7% of all nationwide registrations.Registration Requirements
Registration is required on all boats powered by motor or sail in Kansas. Coast Guard documented vessels are also subject to registration. Boats registered in other states are exempt for a visitation period of 60 consecutive days. Kansas is a registration only state and does not issue boat titles. Although current registration certificates may be recognized as proof of ownership in some cases, they do not qualify as titles when it comes to security interests. Transfer, abandonment, theft, or destruction of a Kansas registered boat must be reported to the Marine Police Division within 15 days.Marking Requirements
Boat registration numbers in Kansas begin with a "KL" 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. Coast Guard documented vessels may not display the state registration numbers. However they must display the state registration tabs, an owner designated vessel name, and a hailing port. An official documentation number must also be affixed to a visible interior location in the hull itself or an integral part of the hull.Ownership and Liens
Kansas does not issue boat titles therefore security interests in non-documented boats are recorded through Uniform Commercial Code filings. Tax liens are sometimes flagged in the state's registration database, recorded as Uniform Commercial Code filings, shown on state revenue records, or filed with a county clerk's office. There are no provisions for recording mechanic's liens or other non-secured claims against registered boats which are not documented. If the vessel is USCG documented, a security interest may be perfected by filing a preferred vessel mortgage. These are recorded with the National Vessel Documentation Center with the earliest submissions taking priority. Other lien claims can be filed in the same manner although these function as notifications only. All such filings are indexed on the vessel's underlying abstract of title.Boat Title Searches
Boat registration records in Kansas are administered by the Department of Wildlife and Parks. This agency does not facilitate online record searches. However, they will check their records by telephone to see if a hull number exists and will verify registration information if you have a copy of the certificate in hand. If you need a print-out it will be necessary to fax or mail a boat record request form. They will return a fax or mail a copy at no charge. Kansas is a registration only state and does not issue boat titles. State level boat liens are accordingly filed with the Secretary of State's Office as Uniform Commercial Code recordings. This state does not offer online UCC searches without a subscription. Therefore you will need to submit a UCC information request form or use a public record vendor. 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. Given these disparities, it may be worth obtaining the services of a public record vendor that has access to a broad range of personal property lien recordings. Ownership, mortgage, and lien search recordings for USCG documented vessels can be obtained by ordering an abstract of title and a copy of the certificate of documentation from the National Vessel Documentation Center. However, these are encoded and can be difficult to interpret, especially on older vessels with numerous recordings. It may be worthwhile to contact a professional vessel title company for assistance in this regard. Non-recorded maritime liens may also be a factor when conducting boat title research in Kansas. These include liabilities for items such as services, equipment, fuel, storage, parts, supplies, and damages which can become attached to the boat itself regardless of ownership. One of the most useful tools for doing this kind of research is our premier boat history search database. It is a gathering of eight nationwide databases into a single interface which can be searched by numerous criteria. These include records for stolen boats, marine lien claims, boating accidents, pollution incidents, auctioned boats, factory recalls, and documented vessels. Yacht brokers, documentation companies, and attorneys do not warrant or guarantee titles. There is furthermore not such thing as boat title insurance in the marine industry. It is therefore incumbent on the owner to stand behind any such representations. Of course it will be of no consolation if a guarantor is insolvent, non-cooperative, or can not be located. This calls for a thorough background check to ensure the owner's wherewithal for making good on any hidden liens or title deficiencies.Advertisement
