Washington DC boat
registration summary presents an overview of boat titling, registration,
loan perfection, and operational requirements for the District of
Columbia. More detailed information, forms, guidelines, and other
resources are obtainable by downloading a
Boat Registration Kit
for this district. 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.
The information presented here is subject to change and should be
confirmed with the respective registration agency.
Please
read our
terms of use before proceeding.
|
Boat Registration Statistics |
There are
approximately 3,017 boats registered in the District of
Columbia. This district ranks 54th among nationwide boat
registrations. |
|
Registration Numbering |
The
registration number prefix for the District of Columbia is "DC". |
|
Registration Agency |
Metropolitan
Police Department |
|
Registration Requirements |
Registration
is required for all boats in the District of Columbia, including those documented with the
Coast Guard. |
|
Title Requirements |
Boat titles
are issued on all boats in the District of Columbia except those which are documented with
the Coast Guard. |
|
Conditional Registrations |
Washington
D.C. does not have provisions for bonded boat titling or
conditional boat registrations. |
|
Registration Records |
Records
are maintained indefinitely. Detailed information on how to
obtain verbal and written reports can be found in our
boat registration
kit for the District of Columbia. |
|
Tax Requirements |
Sales tax is
assessed on boat transactions in the District of Columbia. |
|
Loan Perfection |
Security
interests on non-documented boats which are titled must be
recorded on the District of Columbia 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. |
|
Ownership Designations |
No specific
joint ownership methods are designated on boat registration
records. |
|
Residency Requirements |
Non-residents
may register a boat in the District of Columbia if this is the
location of
principal usage. |
| Electronic
Titles |
The District
of Columbia does not have an electronic title program. |
|
Hull Inspection |
The boat must
be inspected by a District of Columbia law enforcement officer
if there is a hull number discrepancy. |
|
Outboard Motors |
The District
of Columbia does not issue titles or registrations on outboard
motors. |
|
Boat Trailers |
Registration
and titling are required on all boat trailers in Washington D.C. |
| Notary
Public |
$2,000
bonding is required for District of Columbia notaries and an
embossed stamp must be affixed to all notarized documents. |
|
Visitation Period |
A visitation
period of 50 days is allowed for boats that are registered in another state,
Coast Guard documented, or registered in a foreign country. |
