Vessel Registration & Titling Requirements

Application Requirements:

• Every new or transfer vessel registration and title request must be submitted with a Completed and Signed VL-1 Application form. Click here to download a VL-1 Application. If the vessel was sold to multiple owners, each owner must complete and sign the VL-1 form.

• Vessels 14ft or greater in length and all personal watercrafts (jet skis) are required to be titled at the time of registration.

Proof of Ownership Requirements:

• New Vessel Purchased From Dealer or Manufacturer

  • The original Manufacturer’s Statement of Origin (MSO) properly assigned and notarized or a Dealer’s bill of sale. The submitted proof of ownership document must contain the vessel’s 12 digit hull identification number.

• New Vessel Homemade

  • Completed and signed VL-1 form. Section 3 of the form must be completed and your signature notarized certifying that the vessel is homemade and has never been previously registered.

• Transferring a Titled Vessel From an Individual

  • The original North Carolina title properly assigned with the seller’s signature notarized in the transfer section. If you are purchasing this vessel from out of state, you will need to submit the original out of state title properly assigned and notarized. If the original out of state title does not require notarization of the seller’s signature our office will accept it as a valid proof of ownership document as long as the transfer section of the title is completed properly by the seller.

• Transferring a Non-Titled Vessel From an Individual

  • Notarized bill of sale. Click here for an Example Bill of Sale (PDF). If you are purchasing this vessel from a non-titling state, you will need to submit a copy of the seller’s out of state vessel registration card as proof they were the last registered owner of the vessel.

• Transferring a Titled or Non-Titled Vessel From a Dealership

  • Dealer’s bill of sale. The bill of sale must contain the vessel’s 12 digit hull identification number.

  • Original North Carolina title or original out of state title or if coming from a non-titling state a copy of the out of state registration card.

• Transferring a Vessel That Belonged to an Individual Who Passed Away

  • The original title properly assigned and with the signature of the seller (administrator or executor of the individual’s estate) notarized. If the vessel was not previously titled a notarized bill of sale should be submitted.

  • Documentation from the Clerk of Courts office in the county in which the last registered owner passed away naming the seller as the executor or administrator of the deceased’s estate.

If you have any questions regarding required proof of ownership, including taking ownership of an abandoned vessel or purchasing a vessel that has been sold to satisfy a service and storage lien, please contact our customer service call center at (833) 950-0575.

What is a Hull Identification Number (HIN):

The Hull Identification Number (HIN) is a 12 character serial number that uniquely identifies a vessel and is formatted according to US Coast Guard standards. The HIN is similar to a VIN on a car. Vessels manufactured or imported before 1973 are EXEMPT because they often do not have a HIN. All boats manufactured or imported after 1972, must have a HIN, and this HIN must be identified during the boat registration process. HIN numbers are typically located.

• On sport and fishing boats, they can be found on the back right outside corner.

• On pontoons, they can be found on the right side of the frame above the pontoon, but below the deck

• On personal watercrafts, they can be found under the seat as well as on the lip of the foot rest