California boat
registration summary presents an overview of boat titling, registration,
loan perfection, and operational requirements for the State of
California. More detailed information, forms, guidelines, and other
resources are obtainable by downloading a
Boat Registration Kit
for this state. You will also find an extensive listing of general
purpose boat and trailer registration forms on our Forms
page.
Please visit our
State page for additional
articles and information about registering or titling boats and
trailers.
|
Boat
Registration Statistics |
There are
approximately 894,000 boats registered in the State of
California. |
|
Registration Numbering |
The boat
registration number prefix for California is "CF". Registration
numbers must be displayed on all registered boats except those
which are Coast Guard documented. |
|
Registration Agency |
Boat titling
and registration are administered by the Department of
Motor Vehicles. |
|
Registration Requirements |
Generally, every sail-powered vessel over 8' in
length and every motor-driven vessel, regardless of length,
which is used or on the waters of this state are subject to
registration. Coast Guard documented vessels are exempt from
registration requirements. |
|
Title Requirements |
Titles are
issued on all registered boats except those which are Coast
Guard documented. |
|
Conditional Titles |
California
has provisions for bonded boat titling if sufficient proof of ownership
cannot be provided.
Information and forms for boat title bonding can be found in our
boat registration
kit for this state. |
|
State Tax Requirements |
Sales and use
tax are levied on first time boat registrations and boat
transfers. Personal property tax is levied against boats on the
county level. |
|
Possessory Liens |
California
has provisions for boat yards, marinas, and other vendors to
foreclose on a boat for delinquent charges due. Additional
information on boat possessory liens can be found in our
boat registration
kit for this state. |
|
Tax Liens |
Tax liens in
California are not always shown on the actual title or
registration certificates. The underlying state records should
therefore be verified for such flags. Additional information on
verifying boat registration and title records can be found in
our
boat registration
kit for this state. |
|
Abandoned Boats |
California
has provisions for dealing with boats which have been abandoned
on private property. Additional information on abandoned boats
can be found in our
boat registration
kit for this state. |
|
Loan Perfection |
Security
interests on non-documented boats which are state titled must be
recorded on the state title records. On
Coast Guard documented vessels, a preferred mortgage must be
recorded on the vessel's abstract of title. A UCC financing
statement must be filed if the boat is neither titled or
documented. |
|
Boat
Registration Records |
Boat
registration records are purged after 4 years with no activity.
Detailed information on how to obtain verbal and written reports
can be found in our
boat registration
kit for this state. |
|
Ownership Designations |
Co-owners are
recognized by "and" or "or" designations. The "and/or"
designation is no longer recognized, but
may appear on older titles. |
|
Residency Requirements |
Non-residents
may register a boat in California if this is the state of
principal usage. |
|
Hull Inspections |
The boat must
be inspected by a California law enforcement official if there is a
discrepancy with the hull identification number. |
|
Reporting Requirements |
You should notify the Department of Motor vehicles within 15
days if the boat is destroyed, abandoned, or the owner's address
has changed. If vessel ownership is transferred, notice must be
provided within 5 days. |
|
Historical Plaques |
California
offers a special plaque identifying for vessels of historical
interest constructed of wood prior to December 31, 1942.
Additional information on obtaining historical boat plaques can
be found in our
boat registration
kit for this state. |
|
Outboard Motors |
California
does not register or title outboard motors. |
|
Boat Trailers |
Titling and
registration are required for boat trailers in California. |
|
Notary public |
$15,000
bonding is required for Notaries. All notary acts in California must be evidenced with a
seal. |
|
Dealer Licensing |
Yacht brokers
and salespersons in California selling used vessels 16’ or
longer and less than 300 gross tons, for others, are required to
be licensed. Brokers must post a $15,000 surety bond. |
| Visitation
Period |
A visitation
period of 120 days is allowed for boats that are registered in another state,
Coast Guard documented, or registered in a foreign country. |
