Boat Donation — Massachusetts - MA — Donate A Boat
Boat Registration and Title Information
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Massachusetts - MA - boat registration and title information.
1. Am I required to register my boat?
2. Am I required to Title my boat?
3. My boat has never been titled or registered, what do I do?
4. What is the HIN? (Hull Identification Number)
5. What are the fees associated with registering your boat?
1. Am I required to register my boat?
State law requires the registration of any boat that is powered by a motor and operated on public waterways in Massachusetts. Registration is required even if the motor is not the primary means of propulsion for that boat. Some examples of boats that require registration include fishing boats with motors, recreational motorboats, canoes or sailboats that use motors (includes electric motors), and personal watercraft such as Jet Skis or wet bikes. Boats exempt from registration requirements include those that do not use motors, and documented vessels (large boats that are issued a marine document and registration through the U.S. Coast Guard). Vessels used solely by a city, county, state, or federal agency will be issued a certificate of registration and number at no charge.
2. Am I required to Title my boat?
All boats 14 feet or greater in length that are designed for use with a motor, or that use a motor at any time, must be titled. For example, sailboats 14 feet or longer with a backup motor in use, or sailboats designed for use with a backup motor, must be titled. Even canoes 14 feet or longer that use a motor of any type must be titled. Boats exempt from titling requirements include U.S. government-owned vessels; federally documented vessels; boats used solely for demonstration, testing, sales, or promotional purposes by a dealer or manufacturer; and boats registered in another state which are not located in the Commonwealth for more than 60 consecutive days.
3. My boat has never been titled or registered, what do I do?
In Massachusetts, initial registration and titling is done by filling out the department 's registration application at any of five Registration offices. The boat owner must submit proof of ownership, a bill of sale, proof of payment of Massachusetts sales tax, and the appropriate registration and/or title fees. For new boats, an original manufacturer 's statement of origin (MSO) must be provided as proof of ownership. An MSO, title, or previous registration can serve as proof of ownership for used boats.
In order to complete the application, you must provide the vessel 's Hull Identification Number (HIN) and the boat 's year of manufacture, make, and length. State law requires that the title application must be made and the sales tax paid within 20 days of purchasing a boat. The Division also stores information such as the engine manufacturer, serial number, and horsepower for record keeping purposes.
4. What is the HIN? (Hull Identification Number)
All Massachusetts boats must have an approved Hull Identification Number (HIN) in order to be registered and/or titled. The HIN is unique to each boat, which allows the full history of the vessel to be traced from the manufacturer forward. The HIN is designed so that tampering will cause clear and permanent damage to the boat's hull, so it is critical in all stolen boat investigations. A vessel shall not operate on the State's waters unless the vessel displays the assigned HIN affixed by the manufacturer as required by the US Coast Guard, pursuant to Title 33 CFR, Part 181, Subpart C - manufacturer requirements, but DLE may issue HIN's for homemade boats and any manufactured vessel that does not have an assigned HIN. The number contains at least 12 characters and is permanently mounted or engraved on the upper right corner of the transom. Federal regulations require that the number is also placed in a second location which varies by manufacturer and model.
5. What are the fees associated with registering your boat?
Title Certificates cost $25. This is a one-time charge.
A boat registration certificate is valid for two years from the date of issuance. Cost is based on the length of the vessel:
Under 16'..........................................$40.00
16' to 26'...........................................$60.00
26' to 40' ......................................... $80.00
40' + ................................................$100.00
Other related costs:
Duplicate Registration....................... $10.00
Duplicate Title >>>>>...................... $15.00
