West Virginia Boat Registration Overview

All you should know about registering and titling a boat in the State of West Virginia.

West Virginia 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 West Virginia. This includes essential references for the most detailed and accurate information currently available.

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Registration and Titling Agency

Boat registrations and titles in West Virginia are administered by the Department of Motor Vehicles which is headquartered in Charleston. Boat registration and titling services are available from the DMV home and field offices located throughout the state.
Registration Statistics: There are approximately 40,166 boats currently registered in West Virginia which accounts for 0.3% percent nationwide. USCG vessel documentation records indicate 312 documented owners with a West Virginia address and 387 documented vessels that display a West Virginia hailing port.
Uniform Titling: West Virginia has not adopted the Uniform Certificate of Title for Vessels Act (UCOTVA) which basically sets the same nationwide standards for boat titling as those for vehicles. Boat titles are accordingly not branded for salvage or damages..
Vessel Information System: West Virginia participates in the Vessel Identification System (VIS) where boat registration data is shared among government agencies throughout the nation.

Registration and Titling Requirements

West Virginia 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 must become registered in West Virginia regardless of length.
Sailboats: Sailboats must become registered in West Virginia if Motorized.
Canoes and Kayaks: Canoes and kayaks are subject to registration in West Virginia if motorized.
Inflatable Boats: Manually propelled inflatable boats are exempt from registration in West Virginia.
Dinghies and Tenders: Dinghies and tenders are subject to registration in West Virginia registration if motorized.
Lifeboats: Lifeboats are subject to registration in West Virginia if motorized.
Documented Vessels: Coast Guard documented vessels are exempt from registration in West Virginia. However, state level titling is forbidden on documented Vessels.
Visiting Boats: Foreign boats, USCG documented vessels and those currently registered in another state may visit West Virginia no longer than 60 consecutive days.
Boat Titles: Boat titles are issued for registered boats in West Virginia.
Outboard Motors: Outboard motors are not registered or titled separately West Virginia.
Boat Trailers: Boat trailers are registered in West Virginia and those 2,000 lbs. are titled.

Registration and Title Application

Boat registrations and titles in West Virginia are available online, by mail or in person from the Department of Motor Vehicles headquarters and statewide field offices.. In doing so, you will need to provide evidence of ownership and submit the necessary fees.
Application Forms: Boat registration and title forms are available in person or can be downloaded from the DMV 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 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: Boat title bonding is available in West Virginia when there is insufficient evidence of ownership. Contact the DMV to determine the options under these circumstances.
Registration Fees: The most current list of boat registration fees may be found by visiting the DMV website as shown in the referrals for this overview.
Registration Renewals: Boat registration renewals are available online, by mail or in person from the DMV headquarters or a field office.

Numbering Requirements

Boat registration numbers in West Virginia begin with a "WV" 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 Department of Motor Vehicles for a hull number assignment. These are prefixed with the letters "WVZ" 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 in West Virginia 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 West Virginia 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 West Virginia 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 West Virginia other than by filing a report with the Department of Natural Resources. 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 West Virginia 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 West Virginia are maintained in a database administered by the Department of Motor Vehicles. Access to such data is available for owners and certain qualified parties as prescribed by regulatory standards. Comprehensive guidelines about boat record searches in West Virginia can be found in the references for this overview.
UCC Searches: Uniform Commercial Code filing searches in West Virginia are available online from the Secretary of State.
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: West Virginia does not maintain a list of boats that have been stolen within the state. You will need to contact the Department of Natural Resources 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 apply to registered boats in West Virginia. Check with the Department of Revenue for specific information.
Personal Property Tax: Recreational boats are subject to personal property tax assessments in West Virginia.
Insurance Requirements: Boat liability insurance is not required in West Virginia. However, you should check with a local insurance agent as this may be subject to change without notice. In any event, full coverage insurance is highly recommended and you may also need this for moorage purposes or when making a loan on the boat.

Operator Requirements

Personal Requirements: Age limitations and boater education requirements apply to boat operators in West Virginia. Visit the referrals for this overview for the most current age and boater education requirements.
Accident Reporting: Boating accidents in West Virginia must be immediately reported to the Department of Natural Resources or other enforcement agency. Information for doing so can be found in the referrals for this overview.
Notifications: The Department of Motor Vehicles 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 agency in West Virginia is the Department of Natural Resources. 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.

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References and Referrals
Comments - Suggestions - Corrections

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