Buying a boat is one thing, and registering and titling the boat is another essential thing to do. Okay, first, let’s see whether boats need a title or not?
If you are living in a state where the boat requires a boat title, then the boat needs a title. Otherwise, the title is not required. But it is good to have a title for the boat even if you are living in the states where it is not necessary because it shows the proof that the boat belongs to you.
Whether you need a title for your boat are not depends on the state you live. 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. Check my article on Boat title requirements (opens in a new tab) to know all the things about the boat title.
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.
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.
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
Boats need titles because it proves that the boat belongs to you. Still, it is good to have a boat title even if you are living in a state where it requires it.