How and where to register your boat varies profoundly by country. In general, dealers will unremarkably deal with registering a new boat, while it volition be upwardly to y'all to register a boat you accept purchased from a previous owner. And unlike cars, not every state'south Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) handles boats. It may be states park, revenue enhancement commission, natural resources, fisheries and wildlife section that oversees boat registration. If yous are buying a brand new boat using a dealer they will typically take care of the registration process for you lot upon buy.

While boat registration in some states is covered past the DMV, but that may not always exist the example. In fact, the agency responsible for boat registration varies from one state to another.

Paperwork Required To Register A Vessel


It is worth checking your states Department For Motor Vehicles (DMV) to find out what paperwork for your local land requires. But equally a full general rule of thumb, nearly states will crave:

  • Proof of ownership/neb of sale;A copy of a receipt, beak of sale or consignment notation that includes the following details, full proper name and signature of the seller, total name and address of the heir-apparent, date of sale and the words 'received payment in full', or similar;

  • Title (if applicable);

  • Full description of the vessel;

  • Hull identification number;


As well, if you lot ain a trailer, practise comport in mind that you will need to register it separately to your gunkhole.

For a list of the documentation you'll need to complete the sale, read Close the Deal: Registrations, Insurance, and More.

What Vessels Are You Required To Annals?


It is a legal requirement that all mechanically powered vessels that travel on federal waters that are navigable, and for vessels that travel on the high seas must exist registered.

>When Do You Have To Annals A Vessel?


Later yous take purchased a boat make certain that you register information technology immediately. Some states such as Kentucky crave the owner to transfer the title of the vessel to the new possessor within fifteen days only.

Fees To Register Your Boat Vessel


Registration fees are based on the length of your boat and additional fees may apply. Fees will also vary from country to country.

  1. State sales tax (typically around 4%);

  2. Vessel title fee;

  3. Processing/admin fees;

  4. The boat registration decal fee.


Find Out What Agency Is Responsible For Gunkhole Registrations By State

Country Responsible Agency How to Apply Credit Card URL
Alabama Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Marine Police Division
334-242-3673		 In person/by postal service No http://www.dcnr.state.al.usa/canoeing/
Alaska U.Due south. Coast Guard
907-463-2294		 Printable online grade Aye http://www.uscg.mil/d17/uscgd17.html
Arizona Dept. Fish and Wildlife
602-942-3000		 In person/past post
Registration course not yet bachelor online. 		No http://www.azgfd.gov/
Arkansas Fish and Game Comm.
501-223-6378		 In person/by post No http://www.agfc.com//
California Dept. of Motor Vehicles
916-657-8013		 In person/past post
You can renew registration in person or by mail if change of championship. If bringing a gunkhole in from out of state, you'll need to bring the boat to your local DMV. Visit here for a listing of DMV offices by city 		No http://world wide web.dmv.ca.gov/boatsinfo/gunkhole.htm
Colorado Div. of Parks and Recreation
303-791-1920		 Printable online grade No http://parks.country.co.us/
Connecticut Dept. of Motor Vehicles
860-263-5700		 Request form online No http://dmvct.org/boatdocs.htm
Delaware Dept. of Natural Resources
302-739-3498		 In person/by mail No http://world wide web.dnrec.country.de.us/fw/fwwel.htm
Florida Dept. of Motor Vehicles
850-488-1195		 Printable online form
Online grade available simply for new championship/registration. Otherwise register by mail or in person at canton tax collector's. 		No http://www.hsmv.state.fl.united states of america/dmv/vslfacts.html
Georgia Dept. of Natural Resources
770-414-3337		 Online form Yep https://gadnr.org/boating/registration
Hawaii Dept.of Land & Natural Resources
808-587-1970		 In person/by mail
Refer to website for additional regional contact information. 		No http://www.hawaii.gov./dlnr/dbor/dbor.html
Idaho Dept. of Parks & Recreation
208-334-4197		 In person/past mail/online No. https://parksandrecreation.idaho.gov/registration-permits/
Illinois Dept. of Natural Resources
217-782-2138		 Printable online form
Only renewals immune online 		Yes https://www2.illinois.gov/dnr/boating/Pages/Registering.aspx
Indiana Agency of Motor Vehicles
317-232-2859		 In person/past mail No https://www.in.gov/bmv/registration-plates/boat-registration/
Iowa Dept. of Natural Resource
515-281-5918		 In person/by mail
Must register with local canton recorder 		Yes https://world wide web.iowadnr.gov/things-to-do/canoeing/boating-registration
Kansas Dept. of Wildlife & Parks
316-672-5911		 Printable online form
Only renewals allowed online 		Aye https://ksoutdoors.com/Boating/Registering-Your-Boat
Kentucky Dept. of Transportation, Partitioning of Motor Vehicle Licensing
502-564-5301		 In person/past mail
Must register at local canton clerks part. 		Yes http://mvl.ky.gov/MVLWeb/
Louisiana Dept. of Wildlife & Fisheries
225-765-2898		 Printable online form No https://www.wlf.louisiana.gov/page/title-or-register-your-gunkhole
Maine Dept. of Inland Fisheries & Wild animals
207-287-2766		 In person/by postal service Yes http://www.maine.gov/ifw/atv_snowmobile_watercraft/registration.htm
Maryland Dept. of Natural Resources
877-620-8367		 Printable online form No http://www.dnr.land.medico.the states/boating/registration/
Massachusetts Dept. of Fisheries & Wild fauna
617-727-3900		 Printable online grade No http://www.state.ma.us/dfwele/
Michigan Dept. of Country
517-334-8305		 In person
Online, fax and phone registration renewals available. Apply in person at a local Secretary of State office for new registrations 		Aye http://www.sos.state.mi.usa/renew.html
Minnesota Dept. of Natural Resources
651-296-2316		 In person
Register at whatsoever deputy registrar of motor vehicles or at the DNR License Bureau in St. Paul 		No http://www.dnr.state.mn.us
Mississippi Dept. of Wildlife, Fisheries & Parks
601-432-2065		 By mail service No http://www.mdwfp.com/
Missouri Dept. of Motor Vehicles Past postal service
Visit website for local DMV phone numbers and addresses 		No http://www.dor.state.mo.us
Montana Dept. of Fish, Wild fauna & Parks
406-444-2535		 In person
Boats must be registered at the County Treasurer'due south function in the county where the owner resides 		No http://fwp.mt.gov/doingBusiness/licenses/boatRegistration.html
Nebraska Game and Parks Commission
402-471-0641		 In person
Applications available from dealers, Game & Fish offices, and canton clerks and treasurers. Completed applications should exist submitted to the County Treasurer of your county of residence 		No http://www.ngpc.state.ne.u.s./boating/guides/boating/BGregister.asp
Nevada Division of Wild animals
775-688-1511		 In person No http://www.state.nv.usa/cnr/nvwildlife/license/how2.htm
New Hampshire Division of Prophylactic Services, Bureau of Marine Patrol
603-293-2037		 In person No http://www.nh.gov/rubber/divisions/ss/alphabetize.html
New Jersey Motor Vehicle Committee
609-292-6500		 In person
Awarding must be done in person at a motor vehicle bureau. Click hither for regional phone numbers and addresses 		No http://www.state.nj.us/mvs/boats.htm
New Mexico State Parks Division
505-827-7173		 In person/past mail No http://world wide web.emnrd.state.nm.us/main/index.htm
New York Dept. of Motor Vehicles
518-486-4714		 In person/by mail
Call 1-800-CALL-DMV for locations of DMVs in New York state 		No http://world wide web.nysparks.state.ny.united states of america/boats/regfaq/
North Carolina Wildlife Resource Comm.
i-800-628-3773		 In person/by mail service No http://world wide web.ncwildlife.org/License/Vessels_Registration_Titling_Info.htm
North Dakota Game and Fish Dept.
701-328-6335		 In person/by mail
Application forms bachelor from county auditors and Game & Fish Dept. personnel 		No http://gf.nd.gov/licenses/
Ohio Dept. of Natural Resources
614-267-5255		 In person/by mail No http://www.dnr.land.oh.the states/watercraft/registration/tabid/2774/default.aspx
Oklahoma Oklahoma Tax Commission, Motor Vehicle Partition
405-521-3221		 In person/past mail No http://www.tax.ok.gov/motveh.html
Oregon Land Marine Board
503-378-8587		 Printable online form No http://www.oregon.gov/OSMB/BoatReg/index.shtml
Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Comm.
717-705-7940		 Printable online grade No http://www.country.pa.united states of america/Fish/boatinf.htm
Rhode Island Dept. of Environmental Mgmt.
401-222-6647, ext. 2102		 Printable online grade Yes http://world wide web.dem.ri.gov/programs/bpoladm/manserv/hfb/canoeing/boating.htm
S Carolina Dept. of Natural Resources
1-800-277-4301		 Printable online form No http://www.dnr.sc.gov/boating/registration.html
South Dakota Section of Acquirement, Sectionalization of Motor Vehicles
605-773-3311		 Printable online form No http://www.sdgfp.info/Wildlife/Boating/Index.htm
Tennessee Wild animals Resources Agency
615-781-6522		 In person/by post
Register at local county courtroom clerk's office or from any office of the TWRA 		No http://www.state.tn.the states/twra/boatregistrations.html
Texas Parks & Wildlife Dept. Printable online form
Visit this folio for phone numbers of local boat registration office information 		No http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us
Utah Dept. of Motor Vehicles
801-297-7780		 In person/by mail
Registration is handled past the Motor Vehicle Division of the Utah State Taxation Commission. To obtain a certificate of registration, submit a signed application to the Motor Vehicle office in the county in which you reside, either in person or past postal service. Awarding must exist accompanied be a validated tax certificate from the county assessor 		No http://dmv.utah.gov/
Vermont Dept. of Motor Vehicles
802-828-2000		 In person/by mail
Forms are available at whatever DMV or Country Police station. 		No http://dmv.vermont.gov/registrations
Virginia Dept. of Game & Inland Fisheries
804-367-6135		 Printable online grade No http://www.dgif.state.va.united states/boating/index.cfm
Washington State Dept. of Licensing
360-902-3770		 Printable online form No https://world wide web.dol.wa.gov/vehicleregistration/registerboat.html
Due west Virginia Dept. of Natural Resources
304-558-5349		 In person/by mail No https://world wide web.wvdnr.gov/lenforce/nomenclature.shtm
Wisconsin Dept. of Natural Resource
608-267-7799		 Printable online form No https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/permits/registrations/boat
Wyoming Game and Fish Dept.
307-777-4575		 Printable online form No http://gf.land.wy.us/HTML/fish/boating.htm

Written past: Carol Cronin

Ballad Cronin has published several novels about the Olympics, sailing, hurricanes, fourth dimension travel, and old schooners. She spends as much time on the water as possible, in a variety of boats, though about take sails.