Tennessee Boat Registration Summary
Our boat
registration summary contains a quick overview of boat titling, registration, loan
perfection, and operational requirements for the State of
Tennessee. 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.
Please
read our
terms of use before proceeding.
|
Boat Registration Statistics |
There are
approximately 272,000 boats registered in the State of
Tennessee. |
|
State Numbering |
The
registration number prefix for the State of Tennessee is "TN" |
|
Registration Agency |
Wildlife
Resources Agency. |
|
Registration Requirements |
Registration
is required on all boats except paddle boats in Tennessee. Coast Guard
documented boats must also become registered. Certificates are
available on a 1 to 3 year option. |
|
Title Requirements |
Tennessee
does not issue boat titles, this is a registration only state. |
|
Conditional Registrations |
Tennessee
does not have provisions for bonded or conditional boat
registrations. |
|
Registration Records |
Boat records
are maintained indefinitely. Detailed information on how to
obtain verbal and written reports can be found in our
boat registration
kit for this state. |
|
Tax Requirements |
Sales tax is
required on all boat transactions in Tennessee. |
|
Loan Perfection |
A security
interest on a non-documented boat in Tennessee is perfected with a UCC
financing statement. If the vessel is Coast Guard documented, a
preferred vessel mortgage must be recorded with the National
Vessel Documentation Center. |
|
Ownership Designations |
Tennessee
does not designate types of ownership on boat registration
records. |
|
Reporting Requirements |
Transfers or
abandonments must be reported within 15 days. |
|
Hull Inspections |
The boat must
be inspected by a Tennessee law enforcement official if there is
a hull number discrepancy. |
|
Outboard Motors |
Tennessee
does not issue titles or registrations for outboard motors. |
|
Boat Trailers |
Titling and
registration are optional for boat trailers in Tennessee. |
|
Notary Requirements |
A $10,000
notary bond is
required in Tennessee and the notary must affix an. embossed or
inked stamp seal to all notarized documents. |
| Visitation
Period |
Currently
registered boats from other states may use Tennessee waters
unless Tennessee has become their state of principal use.
Exception: Sailboats brought into Tennessee by persons from
states that do not require numbering of sailboats are exempt
from registration provided that Tennessee is not the state of
principal use. State of principal use means the state on whose
waters a vessel is used or to be used most, whether moored or
underway, during a calendar year. |
|
Tennessee Boat Registration
|
