Registration and Titling

Application Requirements:

• Every new or transfer vessel registration and title request must be submitted with a completed and signed VL-1 Application form. 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. 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.

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 vessels manufactured or imported after 1972, must have a HIN, and this HIN must be identified during the vessel 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.

• Vessel documentation is the process of registering a boat with the U.S. Coast Guard National Vessel Documentation Center. Unlike state titling, USCG vessel documentation occurs at the federal level.
• A USCG Certificate of Documentation establishes the ownership and nationality of a vessel. Recreational vessels over five net tons have the option to document their vessel with the U.S. Coast Guard and obtain a Certificate of Documentation.
• More Information.

• All motorized vessels used on public waters must be registered, including jet skis.
• US Coast Guard Documented Vessels operating in North Carolina for over 90 consecutive days must be registered.
• All sailboats used on public waters must be registered if longer than 14 feet at the load waterline.
• If a vessel registered in another state is brought into North Carolina for over 90 consecutive days, the registration must be transferred to North Carolina. Active duty military, temporarily stationed in North Carolina, who have a valid out of state registration for their vessel are exempt from this requirement.
• If you choose to title your vessel, it must be registered as well.

• Vessels that are unused and kept on dry land.
• Rowboats, canoes, kayaks, and rafts moved only by oars, paddles, or the current.
• A vessel used only on a private pond.
• Ship's lifeboats or dinghies do not need to be registered if they are used only for emergency lifeboat purposes. However, if they are motorized and used for non-emergency purposes, they do require registration.

To obtain a duplicate title please submit the following. All title only transactions must be completed by mail or in person at our WRC Headquarters in Raleigh.

• Completed VL-1 Form (PDF).
• The appropriate fee.

To sell a titled vessel when the title has been lost you must give the purchaser the following:

• Completed Seller’s Statement of Lost Title Form (PDF).
• Notarized Bill of Sale (PDF). Seller’s signature must be notarized.
• If there is a lien on the vessel, obtain a notarized lien release statement from the lender.

If you are selling your vessel out of state you will need to obtain a duplicate title as no other state will recognize our Seller’s Statement of Lost Title Form.
 

To properly register and title a vessel in North Carolina that is registered and titled in your name in another state you will need to submit the following:

• Completed VL-1 Form (PDF).
• The original out of state title. All owners listed on the out of state title must complete the VL-1 form to be added to the North Carolina registration and title or submit a notarized statement relinquishing their interest in the vessel. If your out of state title is currently held by a lien holder you will need to work with them to submit your application since the original title is required.
• The appropriate fee.

To properly register and title a vessel that is registered but not titled in your name in another state you will need to submit the following:

• Completed VL-1 Form (PDF).
• A copy of the out of state registration card. All owners listed on this card must complete the VL-1 form to be added to the North Carolina registration and title or submit a notarized statement relinquishing their interest in the vessel.
• The appropriate fee.

Vessels can be registered for a period of 1 or 3 years and any vessel 14ft in length or greater or a personal watercraft (i.e. jet ski) is required to be titled. You may register and title your vessel online at GoOutdoorsNorthCarolina.com, by mail, or in person at at a local Wildlife Service Agent.
 

U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) documented vessels that have been in North Carolina for more than 90 consecutive days, must be registered in the state. However, federal law restricts states from issuing titles for documented vessels since the USCG issues a Certificate of Documentation (COD) to owners of documented vessels which supersede a state title. To register your documented vessel you will need to submit the following:

• Completed VL-1 Form (PDF).
• Copy of your Certificate of Documentation. Do not send the original COD as this document should be kept for your records.
• Appropriate fee for registration only.

USCG Documented vessels can be registered for a period of 1 or 3 years but should only be titled if USCG Documentation is canceled. You may register your vessel online at GoOutDoorsNorthCarolina.com, by mail or in person at a local Wildlife Service Agent.

If you have purchased a U.S. Coast Guard documented vessel, please follow the link listed below for additional instructions.
 

A vessel Documented with the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) is required to be registered in North Carolina to operate on public waters. However, federal law restricts states from issuing titles for documented vessels since the USCG issues a Certificate of Documentation (COD) to owners of documented vessels which supersede a state title. If you have purchased a USCG documented vessel you will need to submit the following:

If you choose not to document the vessel with the US Coast Guard

• Completed VL-1 Form (PDF).
• The Original Certificate of Documentation properly assigned with the seller’s signature notarized in the transfer section. If the original COD has been submitted to the USCG by the previous owner for the purpose of canceling their documentation, the U.S Coast Guard should issue the new owner a “Deletion Letter” which can be used in lieu of the original COD as proof of ownership. The “Deletion Letter” must state that the USCG has received proof that you are now the owner of the vessel.
• Appropriate fee for registration and titling.

If you choose to Document your vessel with the US Coast Guard

• Completed VL-1 Form (PDF).
• A copy of your Certificate of Documentation obtained from the USCG upon completion of the documentation process.
• The appropriate fee for registration only.

USCG Documented vessels can be registered for a period of 1 or 3 years but should only be titled if USCG Documentation is canceled. You may register your vessel online at GoOutDoorsNorthCarolina.com, by mail or in person at a local Wildlife Service Agent.
 

The seller of a vessel must provide the purchaser with a "proof of ownership" document at the time of sale. The purchaser cannot get a vessel registered in his/her name without submitting the proper "proof of ownership" documentation.

New Vessel

• If the seller is the manufacturer of the vessel, the purchaser should receive a completed "Manufacturer's Statement of Origin".
• If the seller is a vessel dealer, the purchaser should receive a "Manufacturer's Statement of Origin" and/or a "Dealer's Bill of Sale" with the vessel's Hull Number on it.

Previously Owned Vessel

• If the seller is a vessel dealer, the purchaser should receive a "Dealer's Bill of Sale" with the vessel's hull number on it. If the previous owner had the vessel titled—in NC or another state—the Title Document or information that would allow the purchaser to obtain the Title Document should be provided to the purchaser.
• If the seller is an individual, and if the vessel is titled in North Carolina or another state, the purchaser should receive the title and/or a "Title Certificate" with the "Assignment Of Title" section completed and notarized by the seller. If a lien is listed on the "Title Certificate", the "Release Section" must be signed and notarized by the lender showing the "Lien As Released". The seller can then give the purchaser the Original Title Document as proof-of-ownership.
• If the seller is an individual and the vessel is registered in North Carolina or another state, but not titled, a notarized "Bill Of Sale" is proof-of-ownership. A "Bill-Of-Sale" can be typed or handwritten on plain paper. It must include the registration number, the hull ID number, and a vessel description. It must also include the name of the seller(s) and purchaser(s), and must include notarization of the seller's signature(s).
   

To properly add a lien to your vessel record you will need to submit the following.  These transactions can only be processed by mail or in person at the WRC Headquarters in Raleigh.

Adding a lien to a titled vessel

• Completed VL-1 Form (PDF).
• The original vessel title. If the original title has been lost, you will need to submit a notarized lost title statement If the lost title had a lien that had not been released, you will need to submit a notarized lien release from your bank as well. Seller's Statement of Lost Title
• All previous liens listed on the face of the title or in our database must be released or approval from the first lien holder that a second lien may be added must be submitted.
• The appropriate fee.

Adding a lien to a non-titled vessel

• Completed VL-1 Form (PDF).
• The appropriate fee
   

If you have changed your name and need to update your vessel record, submit the following. These transactions can only be processed by mail or in person at the WRC Headquarters in Raleigh.

Updating a titled vessel

• Completed VL-1 Form (PDF).
• Document indicating legal name change (Copy of Marriage License, Court Document, or updated NCDL)
• The appropriate fee for a duplicate title and duplicate registration.

Updating a non-titled vessel

• Submit written request for change including the vessel information (registration number) along with the appropriate fee for a duplicate registration ($9).
• Document indicating legal name change (Copy of Marriage License, Court Document, or updated NCDL)
• The appropriate fee for a duplicate registration.
• Mail to NCWRC 1709 Mail Service Center Raleigh, NC 27699.