Vermont boat
registration summary presents an overview of boat titling, registration,
loan perfection, and operational requirements for the State of
Vermont. 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 and
trailers.
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 30,315 boats registered in Vermont. This state
ranks 49th among nationwide boat registrations. |
|
Registration Numbering |
The boat
registration number prefix for Vermont is "VT". |
|
Registration Agency |
Department of
Motor Vehicles. |
|
Registration Requirements |
Registration
is required on all motorized boats in Vermont. Coast Guard documented boats
are exempt from registration. Registration certificates are
renewed on an annual basis. |
|
Title Requirements |
Vermont titles vessels that are 15 years old or newer, based on
calendar year, with a length of 16 feet or longer (including
shuttlecraft). Exceptions are any vessel which is a canoe, kayak, or similar
watercraft designed to be manually propelled or such a
vessel equipped with a motor of 10 horsepower or less; any vessel owned by the United States Government, unless
it is registered in this state; any vessel owned by a manufacturer or dealer and held
for sale; any vessel owned by a non-resident of this state
and not required by law to be registered in this state; any vessel regularly engaged in the interstate
transportation of persons or property for which a currently
effective certificate of title has been issued in another
state.
|
|
Bonded Titling |
Vermont has provisions for bonded boat titling when there is
insufficient proof of ownership. Additional information and
forms for bonded titles can be found in our
boat registration
kit for this state. |
|
Boat Registration Records |
Boat
registration records are maintained for a minimum of six years
in Vermont. 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
applies to boat transactions in Vermont. |
|
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 |
Co-ownerships
are designated on Vermont boat records as "Husband/Wife or
Parties to a Civil Union", "Joint Tenants", "Tenants In Common",
or "Partners". |
|
Residency Requirements. |
Boat titles
and registrations are available to non-residents if the boat is
located within the State of Vermont. |
|
Reporting Requirements |
Transfers of
ownership, abandonments, destructions, and thefts must be
reported to the Department of Motor Vehicles within 15 days. |
|
Hull Inspection |
The boat must
be inspected by a Vermont law enforcement official if there is a
hull number discrepancy. |
|
Outboard Motors |
Vermont does
not title or register outboard motors. |
|
Boat Trailers |
Boat trailer
registration is required in Vermont. Titling is required for
those weighing over 1,500 lbs. |
|
Notary Requirements |
Vermont notary
commissions are for 4 years, no bonding is required, and the use
of a notary seal within the state is optional. |
| Visitation period. |
A visitation
period of 90 days is allowed for boats that are registered in another state,
Coast Guard documented, or registered in a foreign country. |
