Boat Title and Registration Information
States Requiring Boat Titles and Non-Title States

 

To find out if this information also applies to jet skis and wave runners you should check the state website.

The following are states that require your boat to be titled:

• California
• District of Columbia
• Florida
• Illinois
• Indiana
• Iowa
• Kentucky
• Maryland
• Massachusetts
• Michigan
• Minnesota
• Missouri
• Montana
• Nebraska
• Nevada
• New Jersey
• New Mexico
• New York
• North Carolina
• Ohio
• Oklahoma
• Oregon
• Pennsylvania
• Rhode Island
• South Carolina
• South Dakota
• Texas
• Utah
• Vermont
• Virginia
• Washington
• West Virginia
• Wisconsin
  

The Following are Optional Titling States:

• Mississippi
• Idaho

The Following are Non-Titling States:

Click on your state to find out its registration information

• Arizona
• Alabama
• Alaska
• Arkansas
• Colorado
• Connecticut
• Delaware
• Georgia
• Kansas
• Louisiana
• Maine
• New Hampshire
• North Dakota
• Tennessee
• Wyoming
  

 

California:

All motorboats plus sailboats exceeding 8 ft in length - Effective 1959.

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District of Columbia:

All vessels that renew a registration after March 14, 1984

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Florida:

All undocumented vessels not exempted by Section 328.03, F.S. Effective January 1, 1968

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Idaho

Vessels That Must Be Titled  

When any of the following vessels are transferred to a different owner after December 31. 1999, the new owners are required to title them:  Any vessel with a permanently attached mode of propulsion, model year 2000 or newer. Examples: model year 2000 inboard, inboard/outboard, sailboats, and personal watercraft (Jet Skis, Waverunners, etc.).  Any non-exempt vessel, model year 2000 or newer, over 12 ' in length, regardless of the mode of propulsion. Example: model year 2000 13 ' outboard.  

Vessels That May Be Titled  

All types of vessels listed in the "mandatory titling" category, regardless of model year, that were acquired prior to January 1, 2000 may optionally be titled as of January 1, 2000. Drift boats over 12’ in length may also be titled if the owner chooses. Once a vessel has been titled, every subsequent Idaho owner must also title it in his or her name.  

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Illinois:

All motorboats plus sailboats exceeding 12 ft in length - Effective January 1, 1981.

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Indiana:

All registered vessels acquired by an owner after January 1, 1986, or any vessel sold, mortgaged or transferred after January 1, 1986 - Effective January 1, 1986

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Iowa:

All vessels 17 feet or more in length - Effective January 1, 1988

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Kentucky:

All motorboats - Effective January 1, 1990.

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Maryland:

All motorboats - Effective January 1, 1965.

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Massachusetts:

All vessels 14 feet or more in length - Effective April 15, 1990

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Michigan:

All watercraft 20 ft. or more in length; shorter craft if they have permanently affixed engines - Effective April 1, 1977.

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Minnesota:

Vessels over 16 feet in length - Effective January 1, 1991. (Phase in over 3 years on current registrations)

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Mississippi:

All motorized vessels and all sailboats have to be registered.

You need to fill out an application for boat registration and mail or bring it to the MDWFP office with a copy of your sales receipt, bill of sale (copy) or a notarized statement of how you obtained the boat (in cases of an old boat being given to a person by a now deceased relative). Your bill of sale must be notarized or signed by two witnesses. New or used boats purchased outside of this state must show proof of 7% Mississippi sales tax paid if this was not paid at time of purchase.

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Missouri:

All motorboats plus sailboats 12 feet or more in length - Effective 1970.

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Montana:

All motorboats and sailboats 12 feet or more in length - Effective 1970.

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Nebraska:

Nebraska motorboat registrations are issued for three-year periods and may be obtained only from the county treasurer of the boater 's county of residence. Classifications and the new three-year fee schedule are listed below.

All vessels powered by any mechanical device capable of propelling the vessel over any public or private waters of Nebraska (including the Missouri River and Lewis and Clark Lake) must be registered, except the following:

1. Vessels not powered by machinery at any time
2. motorboats registered in another state and housed in Nebraska less than 60 consecutive days
3. vessels owned by any government or political subdivision
4. racing-type motorboats when competing in state-approved races and during trial runs 48 hours prior to or 48 hours after competition;
5. vessels documented by U.S. Coast Guard.

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Nevada:

All motorboats - Effective 1971

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New Jersey:

All motorboats and sailboats 12 feet or more in length - Effective June 15, 1987.

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New Mexico:

All motorboats and sailboats 10 feet or more in length - Effective July 1, 1987.

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New York:

All vessels 14 ft. or more in length with model year of 1987 or newer - Effective June 1, 1986. If boat is registered with a NON-TRANSFERABLE Registration.

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North Carolina:

Effective January 1, 2007, all vessels 14 feet or longer and personal watercraft (i.e. jet ski) must be titled if new or being transferred. This mandatory titling requirement also applies to vessels that have a lien against them. Vessels that are documented with the US Coast Guard cannot be titled in NC but can be registered in NC.

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Ohio:

Watercraft 14 ft. or more in length plus outboard motors exceeding 9.99 horsepower - Effective 1964
All P.W.C. <14' registered after 1/1/2000

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Oklahoma:

All watercraft plus outboard motors exceeding 10 H.P. Effective 1959

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Oregon:

All motorboats plus sailboats 12 ft. or more in length Effective 1959

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Pennsylvania:

All 1997 or newer PWC's inboard powered vessels and 14 ft. or longer outboard powered vessels originally registered after 3/1/98.

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Rhode Island:

All vessels - Effective January 1989

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South Carolina:

Watercraft exceeding 14 ft. in length plus outboard motors of 5 H.P. or more - Effective July 1, 1974

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South Dakota:

Title vessels 16 feet or more in length, which were purchased or acquired on or after March 1, 1992 - Effective March 1, 1992

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Texas:

Motorboats exceeding 14 ft. in length plus outboard motors of 12 H.P. or more - Effective January 1, 1976

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Utah:

All vessels except canoes and inflatable less than 25 H.P. - Effective 1984

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Vermont:

All motor powered vessels 16 feet or larger, 1989 or newer - Effective July 1, 1989

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Virginia:

All watercraft 15 ft. or more powered by a motor in excess of 25 H.P. and sailboats over 18 ft. - Effective January 1, 1982

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Washington:

All motorboats - Effective July 1, 1983

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West Virginia:

Title all motor powered vessels - Effective July1, 1989

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Wisconsin:

Title vessels 16 feet or more in length - Effective February 1, 1989

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Non-Title States Registration Information:

 

Arizona Registration Information

The owner of each motorized watercraft requiring numbering by this state must file an application for a registration number with the department, or its agent, on forms approved by the department. Except as provided by rule adopted by the commission, the application shall be signed by the owner of the motorized watercraft and shall be accompanied by evidence of ownership, appropriate registration fee and a license tax levied.

- Watercraft Registration Application [PDF, 308kb]
Application for watercraft certificate of number upon the ownership of a watercraft.

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Alabama Registration Information

Alabama registers all mechanically propelled vessels, sailboats, and boat for hire.

Exceptions:

1. A vessel operating under valid temporary certificate of number.

2. A vessel already covered by a number in full force and effect which has been awarded to it pursuant to federal law or a federally applied numbering system of another state, provided, that such vessel shall not have been within this state for a period in excess of 90 consecutive days.

3. A vessel under registry from a country other than the U.S. temporarily using the waters of this state.

4. A vessel owned by the U. S., or a state, county or municipality.

5. A ship's lifeboat.

6. A vessel not propelled by machinery, except sailboats and boats for hire (rental).

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Alaska Registration Information

Registration ONLY is issued for:  Boats, ATV's and snow machines

The USCG registers only powered boats used on navigable waterways, however, the state law requires the following to be registered:

• All powered boats (including non-powered boats with auxiliary power units) used on any water of the state.  (This includes all rivers, streams, and lakes, regardless of size, and all salt water within 3 miles of land.)

NOTE:   "Boat" means a watercraft used or capable of being used as a means of transportation on water, except for:

• A ship 's lifeboat
• A seaplane
• An inspected passenger vessel
• A single air mattress, single inner tube or other water toy

NOTE:   Tenders are boats that are used exclusively for transportation from a boat to shore.  Under the previous USCG registration program, tenders did not have to be registered.  This changes under the state program.  Tenders must be registered unless they are non-powered.

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Arkansas Registration Information

Arkansas law requires the registration of vessels propelled by sail or machinery of any type. Exceptions:

• Vessels documented by the U. S. Coast Guard
• Vessels owned by the United States, a state, or subdivision thereof
• Ship's lifeboats.

Arkansas boat owners have the option of registering their boat at the office of the County Revenue Agent in the county where the boat is principally used or in their home county. Listing for assessment of taxes is required.

Effective January 1, 1996, registrations will be valid for 3 years. 1996 registration fees will be: Vessels less than 16 feet in length, $6.00; Vessels 16 to less than 26 feet, $12.00; Vessels 26 feet or more, $18.00.

Persons who purchase new or used boats will have 20 working days to register the boat in their name. Boats may be operated during this 20 day period with the bill of sale carried on board to prove ownership and date of purchase.

Out-of-state boats with valid registrations may be operated for up to 90 days without registering in Arkansas.

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Colorado Registration Information

To register your boat, complete the boat registration form and return it to the Registration Office at 13787 S. Highway 85 Littleton, CO 80125.

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Connecticut Registration Information:

Federal law requires a hull number on all boats manufactured 1973 or later. The hull number must be given on the application.  If the boat has a "CT" number, (previous Connecticut registration), that number stays with the boat and must be entered on the application. To register, you may visit your local Department of Motor Vehicles branch office or mail your documentation to:

Department of Motor Vehicles 
Marine Vessel Section
60 State Street
Wethersfield, CT 06161

Below listed are the documents required for the registration of a boat.  However, please be sure to read each scenario so that you will have all the proper documentation based upon where the boat was purchased. 

A. Application for Vessel Registration and Certificate of Number or Decal (form B-148)

B. Bill of Sale (form H-31).

C. Proof of payment of Sales and Use Tax:

• Complete applicable information in Tax Exemptions Section of the Application for Vessel Registration and Certificate of Number or Decal (form B-148).

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Delaware Registration Information

to register a boat in delaware find which of the following applies to your needs and follow as directed.

1) if the boat is new then you must submit the original certificate of origin. co 's will be kept.

2) if your boat is titled in a titling state or if you are buying a boat that is titled in a titling state, you must submit the original title. titles will be kept.

3) if your boat is currently registered in your name in another state, send us the registration from that state.

4) a notarized bill of sale giving a description of the boat including the HIN

5) to transfer a boat already registered in delaware.you need a notarized bill of sale and the previous owners registration certificate in order to keep the same dl #.

6) if transferring an already registered boat, no bill of sale is required provided the seller (person whose name(s) appears on the certificate) and buyer are present and show id.

7) to transfer a number from an old boat toa new boat,you need proof of ownership for the new boat and the certificate from the old boat in order to transfer the same dl #.

8) when transferring a currently registered boat (one whose registration has not expired) a $3.45 transfer fee will be charged.

9) if the boat is 1972 or newer it must have a 12 digit hull identification number.

10) to renew an existing delaware boat registration, you may mail the expiring boat registration certificate and appropriate fee to the above address.

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Georgia Registration Information

You can obtain boat registration applications from any Wildlife Resources Division office or from most boat dealers, hardware stores, sporting goods stores or marinas. There is a temporary certificate on the registration form. The temporary certificate allows you to operate your boat until you receive your permanent certificate and decal by mail.

Registration Fees For Three-Year Boat Registration

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Kansas Registration Information

All boats powered by – gasoline, diesel, electric, or sail, must be registered and numbered. Sailboards and personal watercraft are considered boats.

Nonresidents using motorboats and sailing boats that are properly registered in another state may use their boats for up to 60 consecutive days without registering their boats in Kansas. Both in-state and out-of-state boats must have their Certificate of Number on board at all times. Boats that are required to be registered must be properly registered before they are operated.

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Louisiana Registration Information

ALL REQUESTS FOR REGISTRATION TRANSACTIONS REQUIRE A COMPLETED APPLICATION ALONG WITH OTHER APPLICABLE DOCUMENTATION AS FOLLOWS. FAILURE TO SUPPLY ALL INFORMATION INCLUDING SIGNATURE OF OWNER WILL RESULT IN REJECTION OF YOUR APPLICATION.
New Application

• Proof of ownership - a copy of invoice from dealer or manufacturer 's statement of origin. Proof of state and local taxes paid must be evident on the invoice, or application must be accompanied by an original Tax Certification Form (R-1331), signed and stamped by local tax office and Louisiana Department of Revenue and Taxation..
• Boats coming into Louisiana from another state must have the out-of-state registration or title, invoice from dealer, or a notarized bill of sale with raised seal. In addition, if the boat is 10 or less years old, a completed original Tax Certification Form R-1331 is required. If out-of-state registration/title is not available, a certified original letter from the state that the boat is leaving acknowledging the status of the boat or documentation of origination of the boat is required.
• Homemade boats without a Hull Identification Number (HIN) that are applying for new registration must go through INSPECTION. A registration application and an inspection application are required. Original receipts for materials indicating taxes paid must be provided at the time of inspection. Applicants for inspection of boats other than homemade must provide proof of ownership and a notarized affidavit of history of the boat at the time of inspection. DO NOT SEND ORIGINAL RECEIPTS WITH INSPECTION APPLICATION. THEY MUST BE PRESENTED TO THE AGENT AT THE TIME OF INSPECTION.

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Maine Registration Information

• Fees: Ten horsepower or less $9.00*     
           Greater than 10, but less than 50 horsepower $13.00*
           Greater than 50 horsepower $18.00*
           Personal Watercraft $23.00*
           Duplicate Certificate or Sticker Set $3.00
           Transfer Registration $5.00
• Watercraft registrations are issued for a specific calendar year and are valid through December 31st of the year issued.
• NOTE:  After September 30, a person may pay 125% of the original registration fee and receive a registration covering the remainder of the calendar year plus one additional year according to the following fee schedule:
• Boat excise tax must be paid by a resident to the tax collector of their town before registration. A nonresident, prior to registering a motorboat which is located in Maine more than 75 days during a calendar year, must pay an excise tax to the Maine town where the boat is principally moored, docked or located. If the boat is exempt from tax, a tax exemption form must be completed by the owner and submitted with registration application and registration fee.
• Proof of payment of sales tax is required for new registrations (resident and nonresident).
• Registrations may be obtained from licensing agents or by mail. For applications and agent information please call 207-287-2043.

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New Hampshire Registration Information

You must have a New Hampshire Certificate of Registration and validation decals to legally operate your vessel on public waters in New Hampshire. This includes motorboats of any size (including those with electric motors), and sailboats or sailboards 12 ft. in length or longer.

The only exceptions are:

• Sailboats and sailboards under 12 feet in length
• Other small, non-motorized vessels such as canoes and kayaks
• Vessels registered in other states using New Hampshire waters for 30 or fewer consecutive days
• Vessels owned or operated by the U.?S. government.

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North Dakota Registration Information

Every motorboat, principally used in North Dakota, that is powered by any motor (including electric motors) must be registered with the Game and Fish Department.

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Tennessee:

Tennessee law requires that all mechanically powered vessels (including documented vessels) and all sailboats which are principally used in Tennessee must be registered. Mechanical propulsion includes electric trolling motors but does not include boats powered only by oars or paddles. Boats which require registration must be properly registered before using them upon any public water of Tennessee. Currently registered boats from other states may use Tennessee waters for a period not to exceed 60 consecutive days. Exception: Sailboats brought into Tennessee by persons from states that do not require numbering of sailboats are exempt from registration provided that Tennessee is not the state of principal use and that the vessel will not be used on Tennessee waters over 60 consecutive days.

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Wyoming Registration Information

Wyoming Watercraft Application - Use this form to register your boat, including renewals.