Oregon Boat Registration Overview
All you should know about registering and titling a boat in Oregon.
Oregon boat registration and titling overview is a free public service designed to inform boaters about operational requirements, recording methods, and record search lookups for the State of Oregon. This includes essential references for the most detailed and accurate information currently available.
Registration and Titling Agency
Boat registrations and titles in Oregon are administered by
the Oregon Marine Board (OMB) which is headquartered in Salem. Services are
available through a statewide network of approved service agents.
Registration Statistics: There are approximately 152,440 boats
currently registered in Oregon which accounts for 1.3% percent nationwide.
USCG vessel documentation records indicate 2,557 documented owners with an
Oregon address and 2,951 documented vessels that display an Oregon hailing
port.
Uniform Titling: Oregon has not yet fully adopted the
Uniform Certificate of Title for Vessels Act (UCOTVA) which basically sets
the same nationwide standards for boat titling as those for vehicles. There
are accordingly no provisions for boat title branding in Oregon.
Vessel Information System: Oregon participates in the Vessel Identification System (VIS) where boat registration data is shared among government agencies throughout the nation.
Registration and Titling Requirements
Oregon requires registration and titling of 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 become registered in Oregon.
Sailboats:
All sailboats 12 feet and longer must become registered in Oregon.
Canoes and Kayaks: Canoes and kayaks are exempt from registration in
Oregon if manually propelled.
Inflatable Boats:
Manually propelled inflatable boats are exempt from registration in Oregon.
Dinghies and Tenders:
Dinghies and tenders are exempt from registration in Oregon if manually powered.
Lifeboats:
Lifeboats are exempt from registration in Oregon if manually powered.
Documented Vessels: Coast Guard documented vessels are not
exempt from registration in Oregon, although state titling is forbidden.
Visiting Boats:
Foreign boats, USCG documented vessels and those currently registered in
another state may visit Oregon for 60 consecutive days without having to register.
Boat Titles:
Titles are required on all registered boats in Oregon.
Outboard Motors: Outboard motors are not titled
separately in Oregon as they are considered part of the boat to which
attached.
Boat Trailers:
Trailers must be titled and registered in Oregon if the combined weight
exceeds 1,800 lbs. These are handled by the Department of Motor Vehicles.
Registration and Title Application
Boat registrations in Oregon are
available online, in person, by mail or from the Oregon Marine
Board or an approved registration agent. In doing so, you will need to
provide evidence of ownership and submit the necessary fees and taxes.
Application Forms: Boat registration and title forms are
available online from the OMB website or from an approved
registration agent.
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 or federal 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 or title an abandoned boat you must provide evidence of
compliance with state abandoned property laws.
Title Bonding:
The Oregon Marine Board does not have a formal procedure for
boat title bonding when there is insufficient proof of
ownership. You should contact the OMB office for assistance in
such matters.
Registration Fees:
The most current list of boat registration fees may be found by
visiting the OMB website.
Registration Renewals:
Boat registration renewals in Oregon can be made online, by mail or in
person from the OMB or an approved registration agent.
Numbering Requirements
Boat registration numbers in Oregon begin with
an "OR" 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 summary.
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 Oregon
Marine Board for a hull number
assignment. These are prefixed with the letters "ORZ" 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
Available options for securing loans, liens and
claims against boats registered Oregon are determined
by various factors. These include the type of debt, obligation
or liability and whether the boat is USCG documented or state
titled.
Loan Security Interests: Boat loan security interests on
titled boats in Oregon are listed on the certificate of title.
Security interests in non-titled and non-documented boats must
recorded as UCC filings with the Secretary of State. 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
Oregon 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 Oregon other than by filing a report
with the Oregon Marine Board. 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.
Title and Lien Searches
Title and lien search methods for Oregon registered
boats will vary according to the type of lien and whether the
boat is USCG documented.
Registration Database Searches:
Registration and title records for Oregon are maintained in
a database administered by the Oregon Marine Board. Access to
such data is available for owners and certain qualified parties
as prescribed by regulatory standards. Comprehensive guidelines
about boat record searches in Oregon can be found in the references
for this overview.
UCC Searches:
Uniform Commercial Code filing searches in Oregon 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 which 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 referrals for
this overview.
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 overview.
Stolen Boat Search: Oregon does not maintain a list of
boats that have been stolen within the state. You will need to
contact the Oregon Marine Board for such data. Detailed information about stolen boat searches
can also be found in the resources and guidelines sections of
our website. Visit the resources and guidelines sections of our
website for additional information about stolen boats.
Taxes and Insurance
Sales and Use Tax: Sales and use taxes do
not apply to Oregon registered boats.
Personal Property
Tax: Recreational boats are not subject to personal property tax
assessments in Oregon.
Insurance
Requirements: Boat liability and collision insurance are not required in
Oregon. 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
Oregon. Visit the referrals for this overview for the most current age
and boater education requirements
Accident Reporting:
Boating accidents in Oregon must be immediately reported to the
Oregon Marine Board or a law enforcement agency. Information for doing so can be found in the
referrals for this overview.
Notifications: The OMB 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 primary boating law enforcement
agencies are the County Sheriff's offices and the Oregon
State Police. However, all enforcement
agencies are authorized to implement boating rules and
regulations.
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