Boat Title vs. Registration Explained

Boat titles and registrations are two distinct legal documents that serve different purposes:

A boat title is an official government document that establishes legal ownership of a vessel. It contains:

• Owner's name and address
• Vessel description (make, model, year, length)
• Hull Identification Number (HIN)
• Lien information (if a loan is outstanding)
• Previous owner history

Why Titles Matter

Titles serve several important purposes:

• Proves ownership — Essential when selling or transferring the boat
• Prevents theft — Makes it harder to sell stolen vessels
• Records liens — Protects lenders by recording their financial interest
• Establishes chain of ownership — Documents the history of who has owned the vessel

Boat registration is the process of recording your vessel with your state agency and obtaining a registration number and validation decals. This grants you the legal right to operate on public waterways.

Registration Provides

• A unique registration number (e.g., FL 1234 AB) displayed on your hull
• Validation stickers/decals proving current registration
• Legal authorization to operate on public waters
• A way for law enforcement to identify your vessel
• Safety — registered vessels can be traced if found adrift or involved in incidents

Registration Is Always Required

Unlike titles, registration is required in all 50 states for motorized vessels operating on public waters. There are no exceptions for this requirement.

Whether your state requires a boat title depends on your location. As of 2026, the majority of US states require boat titles.

States That Require Titles

Most US states (approximately 40) require boat titles. Here are some notable examples with their title fees:

• Florida — Required for all vessels ($5.25 fee)
• California — Required for all vessels ($23 fee)
• Texas — Required for all vessels ($27 fee)
• New York — Required for all vessels ($6 fee)
• Michigan — Required for all vessels ($5 fee)
• Ohio — Required for all vessels ($15 fee)
• Georgia — Electronic titles (eTitle) since July 2020 ($18 fee)
• Louisiana — Required for all vessels ($15 fee)
• North Carolina — Required for all vessels ($15 fee)
• South Carolina — Required for all vessels ($15 fee)
• Alabama — Required since January 1, 2024 for new vessels, vessels entering the state, and vessels under 18 ft with 75+ HP motors ($20 fee plus $5 agent fee)
• Connecticut — Required for motorboats and sailboats 19.5+ ft with model year 2017 or newer ($25 fee)
• Hawaii — Required for all undocumented vessels since July 1, 2021 ($20 fee)
• Arkansas, Idaho, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Washington — Required
• Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maryland, Massachusetts, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wyoming — Also require titles

States That Do Not Require Titles

A small number of states use registration and a bill of sale as proof of ownership instead of titles:

• Arizona — Registration only
• Colorado — Registration only
• Delaware — Registration only
• Kansas — Registration only
• Maine — Registration only
• New Hampshire — Registration only
• North Dakota — Registration only
• Tennessee — Registration only
• Mississippi — Optional titling available

In states that require titles, you will need both a title and a registration. They serve complementary purposes:

1. Title — Proves you are the legal owner
2. Registration — Gives you permission to operate on public waters

The typical process is:

1. Obtain the title (through purchase, transfer, or manufacturer's certificate of origin)
2. Apply for registration (using the title as proof of ownership)
3. The state issues both documents, often processed simultaneously

Special Cases

• USCG documented vessels: Federally documented boats have a separate federal title equivalent. They may still need state registration for numbering purposes in some states.
• Out-of-state purchases: If buying from a title state and moving to a non-title state, you may still receive a title from the selling state, but your home state won't require it.

Whether your state requires a title or not, take these steps to protect yourself when purchasing a boat:

In Title States

• Always get the signed title transferred to your name before paying
• Verify no outstanding liens through the titling agency
• Confirm the HIN on the boat matches the title
• Ensure the seller's name matches the title

In Non-Title States

• Get a detailed, written bill of sale with both parties' full information
• Obtain the previous registration certificate
• Ask for any chain of ownership documentation
• Verify the HIN against the registration
• Consider filing a UCC lien search for any outstanding financial claims

For a complete buyer's guide, see: How to Register a Used Boat.