Washington boat
registration summary presents an overview of boat titling, registration,
loan perfection, and operational requirements for the State of
Washington. 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 271,000 boats registered in the State of
Washington. |
|
Registration Numbering |
The
registration number prefix for Washington is "WN". |
|
Registration Agency |
Department of Licensing. |
|
Registration Requirements |
All power and sailboats must be registered except canoes,
kayaks, etc. and sailboats under 16 feet in length without a
motor. Boats less than 16 feet in length with a motor of 10
horsepower or less are exempt if used only on non-federal
waters. Coast Guard documented vessels must be registered. Boat
registration certificates are renewed on an annual basis.
Washington residents must register a boat acquired in this state
within 15 days.
|
|
Title Requirements |
Boat titles
are issued on all registered boats in Washington, except those which are Coast
Guard documented. |
|
Conditional Registrations |
Washington has provisions for bonded boat titles and conditional
registrations when there is insufficient proof of ownership.
Instructions and forms for these procedures can be found in our
boat registration
kit for this state. |
|
Electronic Titles |
Electronic
titles are available in Washington at the lender's option. |
|
Boat Registration Records |
Boat title
and registration 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 or use
tax is required on all first time registrations and transfers of
ownership. The rates vary by county. |
|
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-owners can
be designated as "Joint Tenants With Right of Survivorship" on
boat registration records in Washington. |
|
Residency Requirements |
Non-residents
may register a boat in Washington if this is the state of
principal usage. |
|
Hull Inspections |
Hull number
inspections are not required in Washington unless there is a
hull identification number discrepancy. |
|
Reporting Requirements |
Transfers of
ownership, abandonments, thefts, and destructions must be
reported within 5 days, excluding weekends and holidays. |
|
Outboard Motors |
Washington
does not issue titles or registrations for outboard motors. |
|
Boat Trailers |
Boat trailer
registration and titling are required in Washington. |
|
Notary Regulations |
Washington
notaries must affix an embossed
or stamped seal on all documents notarized in this
state. |
|
Dealer Licensing |
Boat dealers
and brokers must be licensed in Washington and post a $5,000 bond. |
|
Visitation Period |
A visitation
period of 180 days is allowed for boats that are registered in another state,
Coast Guard documented, or registered in a foreign country.
Visitor permits must be obtained after 60 days. Boat dealers and
brokers may issue special 1 year visitor permits. |
