To get a title for a boat, file an application with your state’s titling agency, submit proof of ownership (usually a bill of sale plus either the Manufacturer’s Statement of Origin for a new boat or the signed-over previous title for a used one), pay any sales tax due, and pay a titling fee that typically runs from nothing up to about $75. The agency that handles this varies by state, and so do the exact documents and deadlines, so confirm the specifics with whichever office titles boats where you live.
Does Your Boat Actually Need a Title
A title proves ownership. Registration is separate paperwork that lets you operate the boat on public waterways. Most states require both, but the rules about which boats need a title are narrower than the rules about which boats need to be registered.
States that require titles generally apply the rule to motorized boats, sometimes including those with only small trolling motors. Some states add a minimum length, often somewhere between 12 and 16 feet. Canoes, kayaks, and rowboats are almost universally exempt. A handful of states don’t require boat titles at all, though they still require registration for motorized vessels.
Even if your state doesn’t require a title, you can usually get one voluntarily, and it’s worth doing. Lenders won’t finance a boat without a title to place a lien on, insurers prefer titled vessels for agreed-value coverage, and buyers are justifiably suspicious of untitled boats because a missing title can signal stolen property, unresolved liens, or salvage history.
Documents to Gather
The core paperwork is consistent across states, though exact forms differ.
- Bill of sale, listing both parties’ full names, a description of the boat (make, model, year, hull identification number), the purchase price, and the date of sale. Some states supply an official form; others accept any written document covering these details.
- For a new boat, the Manufacturer’s Statement of Origin (also called the Manufacturer’s Certificate of Origin), provided by the dealer. It establishes the boat’s identity and the chain of ownership from factory to dealer to you.
- For a used boat, the previous title, signed over by the seller. If the seller can’t produce one, see the section on boats without a prior title.
- A government-issued ID, such as a driver’s license or passport.
- Proof of sales tax paid, if you already paid tax on the purchase in another state. Most states offer a credit for taxes paid elsewhere.
Where to Apply, What It Costs, and When It’s Due
The agency that titles boats depends on the state. It may be the Department of Motor Vehicles, the Department of Natural Resources, a wildlife agency, or a dedicated marine division. A search for “boat title” plus your state name will point you to the right office. Most agencies accept applications in person, by mail, and increasingly through online portals.
Titling fees range from free in a few states to about $75, with most falling somewhere between $15 and $50. These are separate from registration fees and sales tax, both of which are usually due at the same time. Some states issue a temporary operating permit while the permanent title is processed.
Most states give you a limited window to apply for a title transfer after buying a boat. Deadlines run from 15 to 30 days in most jurisdictions, and some states charge late fees or penalties for missing them. Don’t wait until boating season.
Check the Hull and the Lien Before You Buy Used
Before you hand over money for a used boat, run the hull identification number (HIN) through a history report service. The National Insurance Crime Bureau directs boat searches to BoatHistoryReport.com, which checks for accident records, theft reports, salvage history, title history, and open recalls. The report costs money, but it’s trivial compared to discovering problems after the sale.
Ask to see the current title and confirm the seller’s name matches. If a lien is listed on the title, the lender has a legal claim on the boat and can repossess it from you regardless of what you paid. Insist on a lien release from the lender before closing, or run the sale through an escrow that pays off the lien at closing.
When There Is No Prior Title
Older boats, boats that were never titled because the state didn’t require it at the time, and boats acquired through informal handshake deals often lack a paper trail. States generally offer one of two paths.
The first is a bonded title. You buy a surety bond (typically a small percentage of the boat’s value) that protects any prior owner who later comes forward. The state issues a title marked “bonded,” and after a set period, usually three to five years, if no one contests ownership the bond is released and the title becomes clean.
The second is a court-ordered title. You petition a court to declare you the legal owner. It takes longer and costs more in legal fees, but some states require it when no other documentation exists.
If a boat appears abandoned on your property or in a waterway, don’t simply take possession and apply for a title. Most states treat that as theft. Report the vessel to law enforcement, which will investigate ownership. If no owner is found within the statutory waiting period, law enforcement can authorize transfer to you, and you then apply for a title with that authorization.
Homemade, Inherited, and Out-of-State Boats
Homemade Boats
A boat you built yourself won’t come with a Manufacturer’s Statement of Origin or a hull identification number. Federal regulations require every boat to carry a HIN, and for homebuilt vessels your state’s boating agency assigns one.1eCFR. 33 CFR Part 181 Subpart C – Hull Identification Numbers Expect the agency to require an inspection and, in many states, a signed statement describing when and how you built the boat. Once the inspection confirms basic construction and safety standards, the agency assigns a HIN and issues a title.
Inherited Boats
When a boat passes to you through an estate, the titling agency needs proof of your legal right to the vessel. That typically means a certified copy of the death certificate plus documentation from probate court, such as letters testamentary or a court order assigning the boat to you. If the boat was held jointly with right of survivorship, the surviving owner can usually retitle it with the death certificate and the existing title. Inherited boats are often exempt from sales tax, but confirm with your state’s titling agency.
Boats Bought in Another State
When you buy a boat in one state and bring it home to another, you’ll need to title it where you live. Bring the title or registration from the original state, your bill of sale, and proof of any sales tax already paid. Some states require a physical inspection or HIN verification before issuing a new title, particularly if the out-of-state paperwork is old or incomplete. Your home state will issue a new title and may collect the difference if its sales or use tax rate is higher than what you already paid.
Replacing a Lost Title
Apply for a duplicate through the same agency that issued the original. You’ll need your ID, the boat’s registration number or HIN, and in most states a brief affidavit stating the original was lost, stolen, or destroyed. Duplicate title fees generally run between $5 and $25, and processing takes one to four weeks. Some states offer same-day service if you apply in person.
Coast Guard Documentation for Larger Vessels
Boats measuring at least five net tons (roughly 25 feet or longer, depending on design) are eligible for federal documentation through the U.S. Coast Guard’s National Vessel Documentation Center in addition to, or instead of, a state title. Documentation is required for vessels of that size engaged in commercial fishing or coastwise trade, and optional for recreational boats that meet the tonnage threshold. The vessel must be owned entirely by U.S. citizens or qualifying U.S. entities.2Office of the Law Revision Counsel. 46 USC 12103 – General Eligibility Requirements The initial documentation fee is $133, with an annual renewal of $26.3U.S. Coast Guard. NVDC Fee Schedule Coast Guard documentation does not replace state registration in most states. You’ll still need to register the boat locally and display state registration numbers.
Sales Tax and Ongoing Costs
Sales tax is the biggest surprise for many first-time boat buyers. Most states impose sales tax on the full purchase price, collected at the time of titling. Dealers usually handle the tax paperwork; in a private sale, you’ll typically pay the tax directly to the titling agency when you submit your application. Rates vary by state and sometimes by county.
If you already paid another state’s sales tax on the purchase, your home state will generally credit that amount and charge the difference if its rate is higher. A few states cap the taxable amount on vessels, which can save thousands on expensive boats.
Beyond the initial title, plan for recurring costs. Annual or biennial registration renewals are required in every state and typically range from under $10 for small boats to over $100 for larger vessels, often scaled by length. Some states and counties also assess annual personal property tax on boats, calculated as a percentage of assessed value. Not every state imposes this tax, so check your local rules before you budget.