Our boat
registration summary contains a quick overview of boat titling, registration, loan
perfection, and operational requirements for the State of
Idaho. More detailed information, forms, guidelines, and a complete
listing of resources are obtainable by downloading a
Boat Registration Kit
for this state.
You will also find an extensive listing of generic state level boat registration,
boat trailer, and general purpose forms on our Forms Page .
Please visit our
State Page for additional
articles and information regarding state level boat registration, titling,
and operational requirements.
The information presented here is subject to change and should be
confirmed with the respective state agency.
State numbering.
The boat
registration prefix number for Idaho is "ID".
Title certificate.
Titling is required for any vessel with a permanently
attached mode of propulsion and model year 2000 or newer (for
example: inboards, stern drives, personal watercraft and
sailboats). Vessels over 12 feet in length with an outboard
motor must also be titled. Coast Guard documented boats are
exempt from titling requirements.
Registration certificate.
All boats
must be registered except those which are manually powered and
sailboards. Coast Guard documented boats are exempt from
registration. Registrations are renewed annually.
Sales &
use tax.
Sales tax
is due on the purchase price (minus trade-in if purchased from a
dealer). If the vessel was purchased out of state, tax is due
unless the applicant provides documentation that at least the
same amount of sales tax was paid to the state of purchase, or
that the vessel was purchased by a new resident at least three
months prior to moving to Idaho. (The latter exemption does not
apply to businesses bringing vessels to Idaho from a non-taxing
state.) A title issued in the applicant's name is sufficient
documentation that tax was paid at the issuing state's tax rate.
If the vessel was purchased prior to January 1, 2000, a boat
registration in the applicant's name is sufficient documentation
that tax was paid.
Loan perfection.
No lien created on or after January 1, 2000, on any vessel
titled under Idaho law shall be perfected until an application
for title with all required supporting documents has been
properly filed with a local motor vehicle office. If the vessel is Coast Guard documented, it will be
necessary to file a preferred vessel mortgage.
Registration agency.
Boat
registration and titling are administered through a local Department of Motor Vehicles office.
Boats can also be registered separately through the Department
of Parks and Recreation.
Boat record search.
The
Department of Motor Vehicles will check for hull numbers and
confirm certificates in hand. Detailed reports must be obtained
from a public boat record vendor. Boat records are maintained
for 5 years.
Ownership designations.
"OR"
indicates either party may release title. "AND" indicates both
parties must release title.
Residency requirements.
Boat titles
are only available to Idaho residents.
Hull number inspection.
Required on
all first time boat titles.
Outboard motors.
Titles and
registration certificates are not available.
Notary
public.
$10,000 bond
required. The notary must use an inked stamp seal.
Visitation period.
60 days.
Please send us a
message before
leaving this site to share your thoughts regarding the utility of our
web site.
Your comments are important because they provide us with direction in
fulfilling your expectations.
It is our mission to provide the absolute best in professional maritime
services and we are constantly striving
to improve our awareness of your vessel documentation, vessel titling,
and vessel transaction needs.
Our web site is best viewed with Microsoft Internet Explorer.
Click here to
download the latest free version.
