All boats must be registered after transferring ownership.^[2] To register a boat, the buyer must submit the Certified Watercraft Registration Application and proof of ownership to a Boat Registration Agent or a Watercraft Office.

Proof of ownership can be one of the following:

• • Certificate of Title – Required of the boat must be titled.
  • Bill of Sale – Can be used if there’s no title.
  • Certified Watercraft Registration Application – Section 3 contains an affidavit that can be completed and notarized to prove ownership if the boat has no title.

To complete the registration, the buyer must pay the applicable registration fees.

Canoes and kayaks are exempt from titling. Titling is required for^[1]:

• Boats 14 feet or more in length;
• Motors of at least 10 horsepower; and
• Boats under 14 feet long with a permanently attached motor of at least 10 horsepower.

Buyers can transfer the title of their newly acquired boat by submitting the notarized Certificate of Title to a Clerk of Courts title office.