North Dakota Boat Registration Overview
All you should know about registering a boat in North Dakota.
North Dakota 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 North Dakota. This includes essential references for the most detailed and accurate information currently available.
Registration Agency
Boat registration in North Dakota is administered by the Game
and Fish Department(NDGF) which is headquartered in Bismarck. Registration
services are available from the home office.
Registration Statistics: There are approximately 54,978 boats
currently registered in North Dakota which accounts for 0.5 percent
nationwide. USCG vessel documentation records indicate 55 documented owners
with a North Dakota address and 37 documented vessels that display a North
Dakota hailing
port.
Uniform Titling: North Dakota is a non-title state and 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 North Dakota.
Vessel Identification System: North Dakota participates in the Vessel Identification System (VIS) where boat registration data is shared among government agencies throughout the nation.
Registration Requirements
North Dakota 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: Registration if required
on all motorized boats and watercraft in North Dakota.
Sailboats:
Sailboats are exempt from registration in North Dakota if
mechanically powered.
Canoes and Kayaks: Manually propelled canoes and kayaks are exempt
from registration in North Dakota.
Inflatable Boats:
Inflatable boats must be registered in North Dakota if mechanically powered.
Dinghies and Tenders: Dinghies and tenders must be registered in North
Dakota if mechanically powered.
Lifeboats: Lifeboats must be
registered in North Dakota if mechanically powered.
Documented Vessels: Coast Guard documented vessels are not
exempt from registration in North Dakota.
Visiting Boats:
Foreign boats and those registered in another state may visit North Dakota
for not more than 90 days before having to register.
Boat Titles:
Boat titles are not available in North Dakota.
Outboard Motors: Registrations are not available for
outboard boat motors in North Dakota.
Boat Trailers:
Boat trailers weighing over 1,500 lbs. must be registered in North Dakota. These are administered by the Motor
Vehicle Division.
Registration Application
Boat registrations are available in person, by
mail or online from
the North Dakota Game and Fish. 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 NDGF website.
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 NDGF 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 NDGF website.
Registration Renewals:
Boat registration renewals in are available in person, by mail
or online from the NDGF website.
Numbering Requirements
Boat registration numbers in North Dakota begin
with an "ND" 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 NDGF for a hull number
assignment. These are prefixed with the letters "NDZ" 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 in North Dakota 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 on registered
boats in North Dakota must recorded as UCC
filings with the Secretary of Sate. 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
North Dakota 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 North Dakota other than by filing a report with the
NDGF. 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
North Dakota registered
boats will vary according to the type of lien and whether the
boat is USCG documented.
Registration Database Searches:
Registration records for North Dakota are maintained
in a database administered by the NDGF. Access to such data is
available for owners and certain qualified parties as prescribed
by regulatory standards. Comprehensive guidelines about boat
record searches in North Dakota can be found in the references
for this overview.
UCC Searches:
Uniform Commercial Code filing searches in North Dakota are available
online from the Secretary of State website.
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 page.
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
Secretary of State which can be accessed from the referrals for
this page.
Stolen Boat Search: North Dakota does not maintain a list
of boats that have been stolen within the state. You will need
to contact the NDGF 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
apply to North Dakota registered boats and must be
paid at the time of registration.
Personal Property
Tax: Recreational boats are not subject to personal property
tax assessments in North Dakota.
Insurance
Requirements: Boat liability and collision insurance are not required in
North Dakota. 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
North Dakota. Visit the NDGF website for the most current age
and boater education requirements
Accident Reporting:
Boating accidents must be immediately reported to the North
Dakota Game and Fish office.
Notifications: The NDGF 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 NDGF Marine Patrol division is primarily responsible for
boating law enforcement in North Dakota. 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