Q&A What

What vessels are exempt from Virginia registration?

Justia US Law US Codes and Statutes Code of Virginia 2016 Code of Virginia Title 29.1 - Game, Inland Fisheries and Boating Chapter 7 - Boating Laws

Article 1. Boat Registration and Identification

Article 2. Watercraft Titling Certificates
Article 2.1. Virginia Uniform Certificate of Title for Watercraft Act
Article 3. Boating Safety
Article 4. Personal Watercraft

Disclaimer: These codes may not be the most recent version. Virginia may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.

The DGIF requires titling and registration for all:

motorized vessels and
sail-powered vessels (without a motor) greater than 18 feet in length

The following types of watercraft do not require titling or registration:

Non-motorized (powered by paddles or oars) vessels, e.g. canoes and kayaks.
Boats used only on private waters
An owner bringing a watercraft into Virginia from another state may operate the vessel for up to 90 consecutive days on the other state’s current, valid registration before registering it in Virginia.

Where do I register a motorized boat in Virginia?

The Application for Watercraft Certificate of Title and Certificate of Number form (PDF) is available from most watercraft dealers, the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries’ Headquarters and Regional Offices (and this site), and agents who sell hunting and fishing licenses.

In addition to other information, an application for title and registration requires a detailed description of the watercraft that includes the make, length, model year, type of vessel, hull material, type of propulsion, and the twelve-character hull identification number; the make, horsepower and serial number of the motor if in excess of 25 horsepower; and the name and address of the lienholder, if any.

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One-stop shop, for DGIF customers to register and renew boat registration.

FAQ

I just bought a used boat that is currently registered in Virginia. How do I register it?

If it was titled: Send
- the original title signed over to you by the previous owners,
- the completed “Boat Title and Registration” form, and
- appropriate fees to this department, attention the Boat Section.

Do I have to register a canoe?

If you propel the canoe by any type of motor, including an electric motor, then you must register and title it if it is used on the public waters of Virginia. Otherwise, you are not required to register or title a canoe in Virginia.

Do I have to register a small john boat propelled by an electric trolling motor?

Yes, if you propel the john boat by any type of motor including electric, then you must register and title it if used on the public waters of Virginia.

My Virginia registration has expired. How do I renew it? Are there any late fees?

You may use the “Boat Title and Registration” form to renew your registration. If you use this form, write in large bold letters at the top of the form the word “RENEWAL“. Otherwise, you can contact this department by phone, mail or e-mail asking for a new renewal form. Be sure to give your VA boat number and correct return mailing address. We would then send you a renewal form in the mail for you to renew the registration. There are no late fees for registering a past due boat registration.

How do I get a replacement registration card, replacement decals or replacement title?

When you register your boat in Virginia, what will you receive as proof?

A wallet-sized registration card.

Remember:

The pocket-size Certificate of Number must be onboard whenever you use your vessel. You must sign the original wallet-sized registration card upon receipt.

Once in receipt of the application and required fees, the Virginia Department of Game & Inland Fisheries will issue a title, which is proof of ownership, and a Virginia Certificate of Number. A set of registration decals will also be issued.

The Certificate of Number and registration decals are valid for 3 years.

Trailers are treated like cars. The title, registration and license plates for your boat trailer are obtained from the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).

If a registered watercraft is sold, destroyed, abandoned, or stolen, or if there is a change in your mailing address, you are required by law to report this information in writing, within 15 days to the DGIF.

Display of Registration Numbers & Decals

Your registration numbers must be displayed:

On the forward part of your vessel well above the waterline.
On both sides of the bow.
Numbers must be painted or applied as a decal, where law enforcement officials can read it.
Letters and numbers are BLOCK style of at least 3 inches in height and must contrast in color with the hull.
Letters and numbers are to read from left to right and have a space (VA 4252 AF) or hyphen (VA-3534-AF) to separate letters and numbers.
Registration decals must be displayed within 6 inches in line with the registration number, on each side of the vessel.

You must display only current registration decals and remove any expired ones.

Documented vessels

Some boats that are at least five net tons in size and owned by an American citizen can be registered with the U.S. Coast Guard. These boats are "documented." Documented boats must still be registered with the state. They cannot be titled in Virginia, but the owner of a documented watercraft may apply to DGIF for state registration decals.

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All PWC operators age 14 and older and all motorboat operators regardless of age need to take the boating safety course. BOATERexam.com® is a delegated provider for the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources.

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To meet the growing demand for quality recreational boating opportunities in Virginia, DWR will increase motorboat registration fees beginning March 1, 2019. The fee increase, which is the first of its kind since 2001, will cost boaters on average less than $2 a year, and will be used to eliminate the $1.50 online registration surcharge, improve boating access across the state, and help to keep Virginia’s waterways safe.

Boat owners in Virginia must apply for a certificate of title at the same time an application is made for registration. You can begin the title and registration process online at GoOutdoorsVirginia.com or complete an application form available from most watercraft dealers or this website. Some online transactions may require physical proof of purchase to be mailed to the agency. The online process will indicate what and where documentation should be mailed.

An application for title and registration requires a detailed description of the watercraft that includes the make, length, model year, type of vessel, hull material, type of propulsion, and the twelve-character hull identification number; the make, horsepower and serial number of the motor if in excess of 25 horsepower; and the name and address of the lienholder, if any.

DMV now accepts the application for Boat Registration and Title with the previous title and appropriate fee. DMV will issue a 90-Day Temporary and forward the Boat Registration/Title documentation to DWR for processing. (DMV does not accept mail-in applications for Boat Registration and Titles).

Required Supporting Documents

Supporting documents as proof of ownership must be submitted with an application for title registration even if the process has been started online.

New Watercraft

The owner must provide the original Manufacturer’s or Importer’s Certificate of Origin with “First Assignment” completed and issued by dealer at time of purchase and a sales invoice showing gross purchase price, watercraft sales tax paid and a description of the watercraft.
If watercraft sales tax is paid to a dealer, a sales invoice showing gross purchase price and watercraft sales tax paid must be submitted. With proof of tax paid on the watercraft by the applicant, credit will be given for tax paid on watercraft purchased in another state. If Watercraft Sales Tax paid in another state is less than 2%, the boat owner must pay the difference.
If watercraft was homemade by you, an affidavit must be provided stating this fact in lieu of a Manufacturer’s or Importer’s Certificate of Origin. Copies of receipts from building materials must be submitted with the Application. (Your watercraft may be subject to inspection by a law enforcement officer.)

Used Watercraft (Certificate of Title Previously Issued)

If titled in Virginia: the original Certificate of Title with assignment of title completed by titled owner/owners and, if purchased from a dealer, a sales invoice showing gross purchase price, watercraft sales tax paid and a description of the watercraft.
If titled in another state: the original Certificate of Title with assignment of title completed by titled owner/owners and, if purchased from a dealer, a sales invoice showing gross purchase price, watercraft sales tax paid and a description of the watercraft.
If titled by you in another state: the original Certificate of Title must be submitted. (Sales tax is not required to be paid.)

Used Watercraft (Previously Registered But Not Titled)

If registered in Virginia but never titled: a dated bill of sale or Notification of Change in Status of a Numbered Vessel form (PDF) signed by the registered owner/owners.
If registered in another state: a copy of the out-of-state registration and a bill of sale signed by the registered owner/owners.
If registered by you in another state: a copy of the out-of-state registration. (Sales tax not required to be paid.)

Used Watercraft (Documented With the U.S. Coast Guard)

The Certificate of Documentation and Abstract of Title or Letter of Deletion, with proof of lien release in documented owner’s name, and a bill of sale signed by the documented owner/owners.

Fees for Titling

Type of Transaction Fee (prior to March 1, 2019) Fee (on/after March 1, 2019)

Titling Fee	$7	$10
Watercraft Sales Tax	2% of gross purchase price of watercraft and motor	2% of gross purchase price of watercraft and motor
Duplicate Title	$2 (if original Title is lost, defaced, or destroyed)	$7 (if original Title is lost, defaced, or destroyed)
Change of Motor on Title	$2 (original Title must be submitted)	$7 (original Title must be submitted)
Record Supplemental Lien on Previously Titled Watercraft	$7 (original Title must be submitted with Supplemental Lien Application)	$10 (original Title must be submitted with Supplemental Lien Application)

Fees for Three Year Registration

Type of Transaction Fee (prior to March 1, 2019) Fee (on/after March 1, 2019)

Registration of boat less than 16 feet in length	$27	$32
Registration of boat 16 to less than 20 feet in length	$31	$36
Registration of boat 20 to less than 40 in length	$37	$42
Registration of boat 40 feet in length of longer	$45	$50
Duplicate Registration and decals (all lengths)	$9	$14

Expiration and Renewal of Certificate of Number (Registration)

The registered watercraft owner’s Certificate of Number (Registration) expires every three years. Renewal notices are mailed to the last known address of all watercraft owners 45 days before expiration. The registration number assigned to your watercraft remains the same and should never be removed from your watercraft.

Notification of Change in Status or Change in Mailing Address

If a registered watercraft is sold, destroyed, abandoned, or stolen, or if there is a change in your mailing address, you are required by law to report this information within 15 days. You may do this through your Go Outdoors Virginia account or in writing to the Boat Registration & Titling Section, Department of Wildlife Resources. (You may submit an e-mail message with the necessary information to the Department at .)

Documented Vessels

Vessels documented by the U.S. Coast Guard cannot be titled in Virginia. Though there is no requirement that documented vessels be registered, owners may register them if desired. The registration decals may be useful if traveling to another state that requires display of registration decals. Contact the Department for an application or use the application provided at this site and prominently write “Documented Vessel” at the top.

Watercraft Registered Out-of-State

Watercraft currently registered by the owner in another state and not kept in Virginia for more than 90 consecutive days are not required to be registered in Virginia.