Buying a boat is one thing, and registering and titling the boat is another essential thing to do. But, do new boats come along with titles? Or We need to title it after buying them?
Boats won’t come along with titles. Buying a boat and registering & titling the boat is separate work. You need to title the boat after buying it. The title won’t come along with the boat while buying. Not all states require to title a boat.
Applying for a boat title will vary for each state. Each state requires different types of requirements or documents that needed to be submitted while titling. You can’t use the boat title in your state, which is titled in other states. So, make sure you are using the boat title that is issued in the state where you are living.
Why do you need a boat title?
You need a boat title because it is like the proof of the boat, that belongs to you. If you don’t have one, then you can’t prove to others that the boat belongs to you. Not all the states in the USA require it. But, if you are selling the boat to others, then you may need to have the boat title.
If you are selling the boat to others, some buyers will buy the boat if the boat has a title. Generally, if you are living in a state where it does not require to title a boat, then you don’t need to title the boat at all. It is good to title your boat if you are living in a state that doesn’t require titling your boat.
What happens if you don’t have a boat title?
If you don’t have a boat title, then you can’t prove that the boat belongs to you. While selling the boat, you may get any problems. If you are living in a state where your boat requires a title, then you need to have it. Otherwise, you may need to pay a fine if the coast guard inspects the boat.
Still, if you are living in a state where it doesn’t require a boat title, it is good to have one. The problems of not having a boat title are listed below. All of them apply to the people who are living in a state where it requires a title, rest, no need to worry.
- You might get any problems while selling the boat to others. Some people won’t buy a boat if it doesn’t have a title.
- If you are living in a state where you require a boat title and if you don’t have one, then you need to pay the fine to the coast guards if they inspect your boat.
- If you don’t have a boat title, then anyone can come and argue that the boat belongs to him (don’t worry, no one will argue like that). Still, they can, because you don’t have any proof that the boat belongs to you. So, it is good to have the boat title if you are living in a state where it requires a title.
What types of boats need to be titled?
Whether a boat needs to be titled or not depends on the type and length of the boat. If the boat is powered or it is a big boat (in length), then you need to title it. For each state, the titling rules may change. But, in general, all powered boats need to be titled.
- Some states in the USA require a boat to be titled if the boat is motorized or powered by any motor.
- Some states in the USA require a boat to be titled if it exceeds a certain length.
- Some states in the USA require a boat to be titled if it needs to be registered.
- Some states in the USA require a boat to be titled if the boat is powered or runs on a motor.
- Some states in the USA require a boat to be titled if it has a permanently attached motor.
- Some states in the USA require a boat to be titled if it is used in public.
- Some states in the USA require a boat to be titled if it is purchased after some date (January 1986 for Indiana).
Some of the boats that need to be titled are pontoon boats, deck boats, runabouts, center console boats, bass boats, aluminum fishing boats, personal watercraft, ski/wakeboarding boats, sailboats, yachts, catamarans trimarans, etc.
What types of boats need not be titled?
The boats that don’t require a title are the boats powered by manpower. Boats powered by manpower are not often required to be titled. Some of the boats that don’t require to be titled are canoes, kayaks, rowboats, and all boats powered by manpower.
States in the USA that require a title for a boat
The states in the USA that require a title for a boat are listed below.
- Arkansas
- California
- Florida
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi (optional)
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- South Dakota
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
All the states listed above require you to title your boat. For some states, it may vary a little bit.
- Some states in the USA require all boat owners to have their boats titled. Every boat needs to be titled regardless of the length (Oklahoma requires all boat owners to have their boats titled).
- Some states in the USA require a boat to be titled if it exceeds a certain length. There are some states in the USA where you need to title the boat if the boat exceeds a certain length (Missouri state requires to title the boat if it exceeds 12 feet in length).
- Some states in the USA require a boat to be titled if the boat is motorized or powered by any motor. If the boat has any motor, then you need to have a title for the boat.
- Some states in the USA require a boat to be titled if it has a permanently attached motor. If it has a fixed motor (outboard or inboard), then you need a title for the boat.
- Some states in the USA require a boat to be titled if it needs to be registered. Meaning you can’t register the boat if the boat is not titled (California and Maryland require a boat to be titled if it requires registration as well).
- Some states in the USA require a boat to be titled if it is used in public. You don’t need a title if you are boating in private waters. But, you need it while boating in public waters (Kentucky boat requires a title if it is used in public).
- Some states in the USA require a boat to be titled if it is purchased after some date (January 1986 for Indiana). If the boat is purchased after the date (some date given by the state), then you need to have a title for the boat.
States in the USA that don’t require a title for a boat
The states in the USA that don’t require a title for a boat are listed below.
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Kansas
- Maine
- Mississippi (optional)
- New Hampshire
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Rhod Island
- South Carolina
- Tennessee
You don’t need to title your boat at all if you are living in any of these states.
States in the USA that requires a title for an outboard motor
There are some states in the USA that require your outboard motor to be titled as well. The states in the USA that require a title for an outboard motor are listed below.
- LOUISIANA (Title is required for an outboard motor with 25 hp or more in the state of Louisiana).
- MISSISSIPPI (Title for an outboard motor in the state of Mississippi is optional).
- MISSOURI (Title is required for all outboard motors in the state of Missouri).
- OHIO (Title is required for an outboard motor with 10 hp or more in the state of Ohio).
- OKLAHOMA (Title is required for an outboard motor with 10 hp or more in the state of Oklahoma).
- SOUTH CAROLINA (Title is required for an outboard motor with 5 hp or more in the state of South Carolina).
- TEXAS (Title is required for all outboard motors in the state of Texas).
- UTAH (Title is required for an outboard motor with 25 hp or more in the state of South Carolina).
All the states mentioned above require a title for an outboard motor. Check my article on Title requirements for an outboard motor (opens in a new tab). Check my article on Title requirements for boat trailer (opens in a new tab) to know the title requirements for the trailer and outboard motors for all states in the USA.
Boat title requirements for all the states in the USA
In the below table, I listed the Boat title requirements for all states in the USA.
| STATE | Need a title for a boat? | Title needed for a Boat of length (feet) |
| ALABAMA | NO (Title is not required for a boat in the state of Alabama) | – |
| ALASKA | NO (Title is not required for a boat in the state of Alaska) | – |
| ARIZONA | NO (Title is not required for a boat in the state of Arizona) | – |
| ARKANSAS | YES (Title is required for a boat in the state of Arkansas if it is bought in 2020 or newer) | – |
| CALIFORNIA | YES (Title is required for a boat in the state of California if the boat is above 8 feet in length) | 8 feet and above |
| COLORADO | NO (Title is not required for a boat in the state of Colorado) | – |
| CONNECTICUT | NO (Title is not required for a boat in the state of Connecticut) | – |
| DELAWARE | NO (Title is not required for a boat in the state of Delaware) | – |
| FLORIDA | YES (Title is required for all motorized boats in the state of Florida if the boat is above 16 feet in length, except for non-motorized boats) | Requires all boat owners to have their boats titled (No title is required for a non-motor-powered boat less than 16 feet in length) |
| GEORGIA | NO (Title is not required for a boat in the state of Georgia) | – |
| HAWAII | NO (Title is not required for a boat in the state of Hawaii) | – |
| IDAHO | YES (Title is required for a boat in the state of Idaho if the boat is bought in 2000 or newer and the if the boat length is 12 feet or above) | Any boat that is 12 feet or above in the length must be titled (regardless of the mode of propulsion) |
| ILLINOIS | YES (Title is required for a boat in the state of Illinois if the boat has an outboard motor) | If it has an outboard motor, then length doesn’t matter |
| INDIANA | YES (Title is required for a boat in the state of Indiana if the boat is purchased after January 1, 1986, and boat valued above $3000) | 1. Boat purchased after January 1, 1986. 2.Homemade boat. 3. Boat valued above $3,000. |
| IOWA | YES (Title is required for a boat in the state of Iowa if the boat is above 17 feet in length, except for non-motorized boats) | 17 feet and above (except canoes and kayaks) |
| KANSAS | NO (Title is not required for a boat in the state of Kansas) | – |
| KENTUCKY | YES (Title is required for a boat in the state of Kentucky) | – |
| LOUISIANA | YES (Title is required for a boat in the state of Louisiana) | – |
| MAINE | NO (Title is not required for a boat in the state of Maine) | – |
| MARYLAND | YES (Title is required for a boat in the state of Maryland if the boat is above 24 feet in length) | 24 feet or above |
| MASSACHUSETTS | YES (Title is required for a boat in the state of Massachusetts if the boat is above 14 feet in length) | 14 feet and above |
| MICHIGAN | YES (Title is required for a boat in the state of Michigan if the boat is above 20 feet in length) | 20 feet and above |
| MINNESOTA | YES (Title is required for a boat in the state of Minnesota if the boat is above 16 feet in length) | 16 feet and above |
| MISSISSIPPI | OPTIONAL (Title for a boat in the state of Mississippi is optional) | – |
| MISSOURI | YES (Title is required for a boat in the state of Missouri if the boat length is above 12 feet) | 12 feet and above |
| MONTANA | YES (Title is required for a boat in the state of Montana) | 1. 19 feet and above 2. In between 16 – 19 feet 3. under 16 feet |
| NEBRASKA | YES (Title is required for all boats in the state of Nebraska if the boat is bought on November 2, 1972, and newer, except for non-motorized boats) | The title is required for all motorboats manufactured after November 1, 1972 |
| NEVADA | YES (Title is required for a boat in the state of Nevada) | Requires all boat owners to have their boats titled |
| NEW HAMPSHIRE | NO (Title is not required for a boat in the state of of New Hampshire) | – |
| NEW JERSEY | YES (Title is required for a boat in the state of New Jersey, except non-motorized boats less than 12 feet in length) | 12 feet and above |
| NEW MEXICO | YES (Title is required for all boats in the state of New Mexico including the boats that run on electric outboard motors, except canoes and kayaks) | Requires all boat owners to have their boats titled |
| NEW YORK | YES (Title is required for a boat in the state of New York if the boat is above 14 feet in length and if it is bought in 1987 and newer) | 14 feet and above |
| NORTH CAROLINA | YES (Title is required for a boat in the state of North Carolina if the boat is above 14 feet in length) | 14 feet and above |
| NORTH DAKOTA | NO (Title is not required for a boat in the state of North Dakota) | – |
| OHIO | YES (Title is required for a boat in the state of Ohio if the boat is above 14 feet in length) | 14 feet and above |
| OKLAHOMA | YES (Title is required for all boats in the state of Oklahoma, except non-motorized boats) | requires all boat owners to have their boats titled |
| OREGON | YES (Title is required for all motorized boats in the state of Oregon if the boat is above 12 feet in length, except for non-motorized boats) | 12 feet and above |
| PENNSYLVANIA | YES (Title is required for all motorized boats in the state of Pennsylvania) | Requires all boat owners to have their boats titled |
| RHODE ISLAND | NO (Title is not required for a boat in the state of Rhode Island) | – |
| SOUTH CAROLINA | NO (Title is not required for a boat in the state of South Carolina. However, you can apply for a boat title if you want) | – |
| SOUTH DAKOTA | YES (Title is required for all motorized boat in the state of South Dakota if the boat is above 12 feet in length, except for non-motorized boats) | 12 feet and above |
| TENNESSEE | NO (Title is not required for a boat in the state of Tennessee) | – |
| TEXAS | YES (Title is required for all the boats in the state of Texas if the boat is above 14 feet in length, except for non-motorized boats) | 14 feet and above |
| UTAH | YES (Title is required for all boats in the state of Utah if the boat in 1985 or newer) | Requires all boat owners to have their boats titled |
| VERMONT | YES (Title is required for all motorized boats regardless of the length in the state of Vermont, except for non-motorized boats) | Requires boat tile regardless of length if the boat is motorized |
| VIRGINIA | YES (Title is required for all motorized boats in the state of Virginia if the boat is above 18 feet in length, except for non-motorized boats) | 18 feet and above |
| WASHINGTON | YES (Title is required for all motorized boats in the state of Washington if the boat is above 16 feet in length, except for non-motorized boats and for the boats that has a motor of 10 hp or less) | 16 feet and above |
| WEST VIRGINIA | YES (Title is required for all motorized boat in the state of West Virginia) | Requires all boat owners to have their boats titled |
| WISCONSIN | YES (Title is required for a boat in the state of Wisconsin if the boat is above 16 feet in length) | 16 feet and above |
| WYOMING | YES (Title is required for all motorized boats in the state of Wyoming, except for non-motorized boats) | Requires title for all motorized boats regardless of the length |
Bottom line
The boat title is like a certificate given by the government of the state where you live. That certificate will have the details about the boat. Like the boat owner’s name, address where you live, boat details, etc. It is good to have one if you don’t have a boat title.