Boat Donation — Virginia VA — Donate A Boat
Boat Registration and Title Information
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Virginia VA - boat registration and title information.
1. What boats need to be titled in Virginia?
2. What boats need to be registered in Virginia?
3. How do I display my Registration Decals?
4. General Title and Registration info.
5. Additional data on Titling and Registration.
1. What boats need to be titled in Virginia?
Watercraft propelled by a motor (including gasoline, diesel and electric motors) and sail-powered boats over 18 feet in length must be titled.
2. What boats need to be registered in Virginia?
Registration (Certificate of Number)
- You must have a Virginia Certificate of Number, a “temporary” Certificate of Number or a “Temporary Registration Certificate” to legally operate your watercraft on Virginia waters. The only exceptions are:
- Non-motorized boats
- Boats documented by the U.S. Coast Guard
- Boats properly registered in another state and on Virginia waters for 90 or fewer consecutive days.
3. How do I display my Registration Decals?
The registration number and decal must be displayed as:
- Number must be painted, decaled or otherwise affixed to, and read from left to right on both sides of the bow.
- Number must be in at least 3”-high block letters.
- Number’s color must contrast with its background.
- Letters must be separated from the numbers by a space or hyphen: “VA 4696 AF” or “VA-4696-AF.”
- No other numbers may be displayed.
- Decals must be affixed to each side of the watercraft within six inches of, and in line with, the registration number. Expired decals must be removed.
If your boat requires registration, it is illegal to operate or allow others to operate your boat unless it is registered and numbered as described above.
4. General Title and Registration info.
The owner of a watercraft must apply for a Certificate of Title at the same time application is made for for registration (Certificate of Number). Application for title and registration requires a detailed description of the watercraft that includes make, length, model year, type of watercraft, hull material, type of propulsion, HIN; and if the motor exceeds 25 horsepower, the make, horsepower and serial number of the motor. The following supporting documents must also be submitted with the applications:
- New watercraft: The owner must provide the original Manufacturer’s or Importer’s Certificate of Origin with “First Assignment” completed and issued by the dealer at the time of purchase and a sales invoice showing gross purchase price, watercraft sales tax paid and a description of the watercraft.
- If the watercraft sales tax is paid to a dealer, a sales invoice showing gross purchase price and watercraft sales tax paid must be submitted. Credit for tax paid in another state will be given if the owner provides proof of tax paid. (If tax paid is less than 2%, the owner must pay the difference.)
- If the watercraft was homemade by the owner, an affidavit must be provided stating this fact in lieu of a Manufacturer’s or Importer’s Certificate of Origin. Copies of receipts for building materials must be submitted with the application.
- Used watercraft previously titled by another person: The new owner must submit the original Certificate of Title with assignment completed by titled owner(s) and, if purchased from a dealer, a sales invoice showing gross purchase price, watercraft sales tax paid and a description of the watercraft. This is true whether the watercraft was previously titled in Virginia or another state.
- Used watercraft previously titled by self in another state: The owner must submit the original Certificate of Title. Sales tax is not required to be paid.
- Used watercraft previously registered in Virginia, but not titled: The owner must submit a dated bill of sale or Notification of Change in Status of a Numbered Vessel form signed by the registered owner(s).
- Used watercraft previously registered in another state, but not titled: The owner must submit a copy of the out-of-state registration and a bill of sale signed by the registered owner(s). If the watercraft was registered in another state by the person applying for title, sales tax will not be required to be paid).
- Used watercraft documented with the U. S. Coast Guard: The owner must submit a Certificate or Documentation and Abstract of Title, with proof of lien release in documented owner’s name, and a bill of sale signed by the documented owner(s).
5. Additional data on Titling and Registration.
- A Certificate of Number expires every three years. Renewal notices are mailed to all owners of previously registered watercrafts 60 days before expiration. The registration number assigned to your watercraft remains the same and should never be removed from your watercraft.
- If you change address, if you sell, abandon or destroy your watercraft, or if your registered watercraft is stolen, you must report this information in writing to the Boat Section, Virginia Dept. of Game & Inland Fisheries, within 15 days.
- Watercrafts documented by the U. S. Coast Guard for use on interstate waters cannot by titled or registered.
- Title, registration and license plates for boat trailers are purchased through the Department of Motor Vehicles.
