Maryland boat
registration summary presents an overview of boat titling, registration,
loan perfection, and operational requirements for the State of
Maryland. 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, trailers,
and outboard motors.
The information presented here is subject to change and should be
confirmed with the respective state agency.
Please
read our
terms of use before proceeding.
|
Registration Statistics |
There are
approximately 204,000 boats registered in the State of Maryland. |
|
Registration Numbering |
The boat
registration number prefix for Maryland is "MD". |
|
Registration Agency |
Department of
Natural Resources |
|
Registration Requirements |
Registration
is required for all motorboats in the State of Maryland. Registrations are issued on a 2
year cycle. Registration is not required for Coast Guard
documented vessels, but a special use decal must be obtained. |
|
Title Requirements |
Maryland
issues titles all boats that require registration except those
which are Coast Guard documented. |
|
Electronic Titles |
Maryland does
not have an electronic boat title program. |
|
Conditional Registration |
Maryland does not have provisions for bonded boat titling or
registration. A court award will be required when there is
insufficient proof of ownership. |
|
Abandoned Boats |
Maryland
has a defined process for claiming title to an abandoned boat.
Additional information and examples can be found in our
boat registration
kit for this state. |
|
Mechanic's Liens |
Maryland has
provisions for enforcing boat liens incurred by marinas,
boatyards, and other service agencies. Additional information
about mechanic's liens can be found in our
boat registration kit for this state. |
|
Registration Records |
Boat
registration records are maintained indefinitely in Maryland.
Detailed information on how to obtain verbal and written reports
can be found in our
boat registration
kit for this state. |
|
State Tax Requirements |
Excise tax is
due within 30 days of the purchase date or entry into the State
of Maryland. |
|
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. |
|
Ownership Designations |
Maryland does
not indicate joint ownership methods on boating records. |
|
Residency Requirements |
Non-residents
may apply for boat registration and titling if Maryland is to be
the state of Principal use. |
|
Reporting Requirements |
The sale,
transfer, abandonment, theft, or destruction of a boat
registered in Maryland must be reported to the Department of
Natural Resources within 15 days. |
|
Hull Inspection |
None
required. |
|
Outboard Motors |
Maryland does
not issue titles for outboard motors. |
|
Boat Trailers |
Registrations
and titles are required for boat trailers in Maryland. |
|
Notary Regulations |
Maryland
notaries must affix a seal or stamp on all notarized documents. |
|
Dealer Licensing |
State
licensing is required for boat dealers and brokers. Bonding
requirements range from $5,000 to $50,000 depending on annual
sales volume. |
|
Visitation Period |
A vessel duly registered in another jurisdiction
may enjoy Maryland waters for a cumulative total of 90 days in a calendar year without
being required to pay vessel excise tax. A vessel may remain longer than 90 days so
long as a majority of the year is spent in another jurisdiction (i.e. Florida for 7 months and Maryland
for 5 months). |
