Our Maine boat
registration summary presents an overview of boat titling, registration, loan
perfection, and operational requirements for the State of Main. 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 general
purpose state level boat and trailer registration 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.
Please
read our
terms of use before proceeding.
|
Boat Registration Statistics |
There are
approximately 111,873 boats registered in Maine. This state
ranks 31st among nationwide boat registrations. |
|
Boat Registration Numbering |
The boat
registration number prefix for Maine is "ME". |
|
Registration Agency |
The
Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife administers boat
registrations for the State of Maine. |
|
Registration Requirements |
All motorboats of any size, must be registered, except
lifeboats and boats used exclusively for racing purposes. Coast Guard documented vessels are exempt from
registration. Boat registration certificates are renewed on a yearly basis.
|
|
Title Requirements |
Boat title
certificates are not issued in Maine. This is a registration only state. |
|
Conditional Registrations |
Maine does
not have provisions for bonded or conditional boat registrations
where sufficient proof of ownership is not otherwise available.
Under these circumstances, ownership will need to be established
through an award from a court of proper jurisdiction. |
|
Abandoned Boats |
Maine does
not not have special provisions for registering abandoned boats.
Abatement is handled through the local county sheriffs office. |
|
Registration Records |
Boat
registration records are maintained indefinitely by the State of Maine. Detailed information on how to
obtain verbal and written reports for existing records can be found in our
boat registration
kit for this state. |
|
Ownership Designations |
Joint
ownership terms are not specified on boat registrations. |
|
Residency Requirements |
The owner's
residency is not required if a boat is located within the State
of Maine. |
|
Loan Perfection |
A UCC
financing statement is used to perfect a lender's interest for
boats registered in Maine. Recording information can
be found in our boat registration kit for this state. |
|
Sales Tax |
Sales tax is due on boat transactions and a yearly excise tax
applies to boat registrations. |
|
Reporting Requirements |
Transfer,
abandonment, theft, or destruction of a Maine registered boat
must be reported to the Department of Inland Fisheries &
Wildlife within 10 days. |
|
Hull Inspections |
Not
required. |
|
Outboard Motors |
Registration
and title certificates are not issued for outboard motors. |
|
Boat Trailers |
Boat trailer
registration is required in Maine. Those weighing over 3,000 lbs
must also be titled. |
|
Notary Regulations |
Notaries in
the State of Maine are
commissioned for 7 year terms, no bonding is required, and notary
seals are optional. |
|
Visitation Period |
Boats that
are Coast Guard documented or registered in another state enjoy
a visitation period of 60 days. |
