Delaware Boat Registration Overview
All you should know about registering a boat in Delaware.
Delaware boat registration overview is a free public service designed to inform boaters about operational requirements, recording methods, and record search lookups for the State of Delaware. This includes essential references for the most detailed and accurate information currently available.
Registration Agency
Boat registration in Delaware is administered by the Division of
Fish and Wildlife (DFW) which is headquartered in Dover. Registration
services are available from the home office, by mail or one of the state
approved registration agents.
Registration Statistics: There are approximately 48,703 boats
currently registered in the State of Delaware which accounts for 0.4 percent
nationwide. USCG vessel documentation records indicate 1,025 documented
owners with a Delaware address and 3,441 documented vessels that display a
Delaware hailing
port.
Uniform Titling: Delaware is a non-title state that has not
yet adopted the Uniform Certificate of Title for Vessels Act (UCOTVA) which
basically sets the same nationwide standards for boat titling similar to
those for vehicles. There are accordingly no provisions for title branding
in Delaware.
Vessel Identification System: Delaware participates in the Vessel Identification System (VIS) where boat registration data is shared among government agencies throughout the nation.
Registration Requirements
Delaware requires registration on all non-exempt
boats that operate within its jurisdictional waters. The following are basic
requirements and exemptions with further details available from the
referrals for this overview.
Motor Boats: All Motorized boats and
watercraft must be registered in Delaware.
Sailboats:
Sailboats must be registered in Delaware if
mechanically powered.
Canoes and Kayaks: Manually propelled canoes and kayaks are exempt
from registration in Delaware.
Inflatable Boats:
Inflatable boats must be registered in Delaware if mechanically powered.
Dinghies and
Lifeboats: Dinghies and lifeboats must be registered in
Delaware if mechanically powered.
Documented Vessels: Coast Guard documented vessels are
exempt from registration in Delaware.
Visiting Boats:
Foreign boats and those registered in another state may visit Delaware for not more than
60 days before having to register.
Primary Usage: Boats are not
eligible for registration in Delaware unless it is the state of principal
usage, which is defined as 60 consecutive days.
Boat Titles:
Boat titles are not available in Delaware.
Outboard Motors: Registrations and titles are not
available for outboard boat motors in Delaware.
Boat Trailers:
Boat trailers must be titled and registered in Delaware. These are
administered by the Department of Motor
Vehicles.
Registration Application
Boat registrations are available from
the Division of Fish and Wildlife or one of the state approved
registration agencies. In
doing so, you will need to provide evidence of ownership, fees and taxes.
Application Forms: A registration application and other
related forms can be found on the DFW website. In filing the
application form you will need to certify that the boat
will be used in Delaware more than any other state. If you
answer yes to
the offshore waters operating button, it will be necessary to provide
evidence of in-state usage for at least 60 days. This is
designed
to eliminate the practice of registering a boat in Delaware for
the sole purpose of tax avoidance and corporate ownership
anonymity.
Manufacturer's Statement:
When a new boat is to be registered for the first time, you must
present a Manufacturer's Statement of Origin or Builder's certification. The statement or
certification must be properly
assigned into your name or accompanied by a bill of sale.
Previous Title: When a boat was previously state titled,
you must present a properly assigned title certificate or one
that is accompanied by a bill of sale.
Previous
Registration: If a boat was registered in a non-title
state, it will be necessary to present an assigned registration
certificate or one that is accompanied by a bill of sale.
Loan Foreclosures: In order to register a foreclosed
boat, the lender will need to provide evidence of compliance with
the respective state laws.
Mechanic's Liens: In order
to register a boat foreclosed on towing, storage and service possessory liens you must provide evidence of compliance
with state lien laws.
Abandoned Boats: In
order to register an abandoned boat you must provide evidence of
compliance with state abandoned property laws.
Registration Bonding: Contact the DIFW for information
about registration bonding when there is insufficient proof of
ownership.
Registration Fees:
The most current list of boat registration fees may be found by
visiting the DFW website.
Registration Renewals:
Boat registration renewals in Delaware are available online at the DFW
website, by mail or in person from an approved registration
agent.
Numbering Requirements
Boat registration numbers in Delaware begin
with an "DL" designation which is followed by four numbers and
then two letters. These must be displayed on all registered
boats along with the current registration decals. State boat
numbering configuration, size and placement requirements are
dictated by federal regulations. More detailed information can
be found in the referrals for this page.
Hull Numbers:
All vessels built after 1972 are required to have a properly
formatted 12 digit hull identification number. Although
typically assigned and installed by the manufacturer, owners
with older, homemade, or imported boats may apply to the DIFW for a hull number
assignment. These are prefixed with the letters "DLZ" in place
of the manufacturer's identification code. Boats must be
inspected by a law enforcement official whenever their is a
missing or questionable hull identification number.
Lien and Security Interest Recordings
The available options for securing loans, liens
and claims against boats registered Delaware are determined by
various factors. These include the type of debt, obligation or
liability and whether the boat is USCG documented.
Loan Security Interests: Security interests for registered
boats in Delaware must recorded as UCC
filings with the Division of Corporations. If a boat qualifies for USCG documentation, the
lender must obtain a preferred vessel mortgage in order to perfect or
prioritize its security interest. These are recorded with the National
Vessel Documentation Center.
Tax Liens: Tax liens are
sometimes flagged in the state's boat registration database,
recorded as Uniform Commercial Code filings, shown on state
revenue records, or filed with a county clerk's office.
Mechanic's Liens:
There are no means of recording mechanics or storage liens on
Delaware boat registration records. However these may be listed
for informational purposes on a USCG documented vessel's underlying
abstract of title. Our boat lien claims registry also serves as
a proprietary source of exposing such information to the general
public.
Stolen Boats:
Although stolen boats are not typically viewed as maritime
liens, the true owner may have rights of recovery regardless of
a subsequent owner's awareness. There are no methods for
recording stolen boats in Delaware other than by filing a report with the
DFW. These will in turn become listed
in their stolen boat database and perhaps the National Crime
Information Center database. Our stolen boat registry also
serves as a proprietary database for the boating industry.
Registration and Lien Searches
Registration and lien search methods for
Delaware registered
boats will vary according to the type of lien and whether the
boat is USCG documented.
Registration Database Searches:
Registration records for Delaware are maintained
in a database administered by the DFW. Access to such data is
available for owners and certain qualified parties as prescribed
by regulatory standards. Comprehensive guidelines about boat
record searches in Delaware can be found in the references
for this overview.
UCC Searches:
Uniform Commercial Code filing searches in Delaware are
available online from the Division of Corporations.
USCG Documentation Searches: Ownership,
mortgage and lien information on USCG documented vessels can be
obtained by ordering an abstract of title from the National
Vessel Documentation Center.
Tax Lien
Searches: State and Federal tax liens on boats are not
always recorded in a consistent manner and are therefore
difficult to identify. They may show up as a flag on state
registration records, as UCC filings, in state revenue records,
in a county clerks records, or on a vessel's abstract of title
for documented boats. Given these disparities, it may be worth
obtaining the services of a public record vendor that has access
to a broad range of personal lien
recordings.
Non-Recorded Liens: Non-recorded maritime liens may also
be a factor in conducting lien searches. These may include
liabilities for items such as services, equipment, fuel,
storage, parts, supplies, and damages that are related to the
boat itself. This type of research can only be determined through
personal investigation, owner disclosures, and boat history
lookups.
Lien Claim Searches: Additional
information about boat lien claim searches can be found in the
resources and guidelines sections of our website.
Owner Background Checks:
Yacht brokers, documentation companies and attorneys do not
warrant or guarantee titles. There is moreover no such thing as
boat title insurance in the marine industry. It is therefore
incumbent on the owner to stand behind any such representations.
This will of course be of no consolation if a guarantor is
insolvent, non-cooperative, or can not be subsequently located.
A thorough background check to ensure the owner's inclination
and ability for making good on any hidden liens or title
deficiencies is recommended. Information on how to go about this
can be found in the referrals for this overvew.
Business Entity Search:
You should run a business entity search when dealing with a boat
registered to an entity such as a corporation or limited
liability company. This will help confirm the legitimacy of such
enterprise and identify those authorized to act on its behalf.
An online search portal for doing so is maintained by the
Division of Corporations which can be accessed from the
referrals for this overview.
Stolen Boat Search: Delaware does not maintain a list of
boats that have been stolen within the state. You will need to
contact the DFW for such information. You will also find
detailed information about stolen boat searches in the resources
and guidelines sections of our website. Visit the resources and
guidelines sections of our website for additional information
about stolen boat detection.
Taxes and Insurance
Sales and Use Tax: Sales and use taxes do
not apply to Delaware registered boats.
Personal Property
Tax: Recreational boats are not subject to personal property
tax assessments in Delaware.
Insurance
Requirements: Boat liability and collision insurance are not required in
Delaware. However,
you should check with a local insurance agent as this may be
subject to change without notice. In any event, insurance is
highly recommended and you may also need this for moorage
purposes or when making a loan on the boat.
Operator Requirements
Operator Requirements: Age limitations and
boater education requirements apply to boat operators in
Delaware. Visit DFW website for the most current age
and boater education requirements
Accident Reporting:
Boating accidents in Delaware must be immediately reported to
the Division of Fish and Wildlife.
Notifications: The DFW must be notified whenever a registered or titled boat has been transferred, stolen, lost, abandoned.
This also applies to ownership and address changes.
Enforcement Agency: The Fish and Wildlife Natural Resources Police
are primarily responsible for
boating law enforcement in Delaware. However, all law
enforcement agencies are authorized to enforce boating laws.
Conclusion
The information provided herein is gathered from various sources and may be subject to errors, omissions or changes without notice. You should consult directly with the appropriate agency or a qualified attorney before taking any actions based on this overview.
References and Referrals
Comments - Suggestions - Corrections