Seller’s Notification – Sellers are required to give notice of a vessel’s change of ownership to the county clerk notice within 15 days of its transfer.
Kentucky Boat Registration
All motorboats owned and operated in Kentucky must be titled and registered with the Division of Motor Vehicle Licensing.[1] Within 15 days of the sale, the buyer must apply for title transfer and registration by completing the following steps[2]:
- Obtain the boat’s Certificate of Title from the seller. The title must be properly assigned to the buyer and notarized. If no title is available, the seller must provide a Boat Bill of Sale and a tracing of the boat’s HIN.
- Complete an Application for Title/Registration (TC96-184). It will require the notarized signatures of the buyer and seller.
- Visit a local County Clerk Office and submit the application with the following:
- Certificate of Title or Boat Bill of Sale (or Certificate of Registration if from out-of-state)
- Photo ID
- SSN or Federal Tax ID
- Payment for registration, certificate of title, and clerk’s fees (see fee schedule)
- Tracing or photo of hull ID number (if required)