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Northern Mariana Islands Boat Registration Overview

All you should know about registering and operating a boat in the Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands.

Northern Mariana Islands boat registration overview is a free public service designed to inform boaters about operational requirements, recording methods, and record search lookups for the Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands. This includes essential references for the most detailed and accurate information currently available.


Registration Agency

Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI)  boat registration is administered by the Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) in Saipan. Services are only available from this office with no regional offices throughout the islands.
Registration Statistics: There are approximately 391 boats currently registered in the CNMI which accounts for.003% nationwide..
Uniform Titling: The CNMI does not issue boat titles.
Vessel Identification System: The CNMI participates in the Vessel Identification System (VIS) where boat registration data is shared among government agencies throughout the nation.

Registration Requirements

The CNMI 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 is required on motor boats in the CNMI.
Sailboats: Sailboats are subject to registration in the CNMI.
Canoes and Kayaks: Check with the BMV or a Boating law administrator with regard to registration requirement manually propelled canoes and kayaks.
Inflatable Boats: Check with the BMV or a Boating Law Administrator with regard to registration requirement manually propelled inflatables.
Dinghies and Tenders: Check with the BMV or a Boating Law Administrator with regard to registration requirement manually propelled inflatables.
Lifeboats: Lifeboats are not subject to registration in the CNMI.
Documented Vessels: Coast Guard documented vessels are not subject to registration in the CNMI.
Visiting Boats: Foreign boats and those registered in another state are allowed a 60 day visitation period.
Boat Titles: Boat titles are not available in the CNMI as it is a registration only jurisdiction.
Outboard Motors: Titles and registrations are not available for outboard boat motors in the CNMI
Boat Trailers: Contact the BMV for requirements about boat trailer registration.

Registration Application

Persons who wish to register any boat in the CNMI should contact the Bureau of Motor Vehicle or a boating law administrator for procedures and instructions.
Application Forms: A boat registration application and other related forms are available from the BMV.
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 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 the respective laws.
Abandoned Boats: In order to register an abandoned boat you must provide evidence of compliance with abandoned property laws.
Registration Bonding: Contact the BMV or a Boating Law Administrator for information about registration bonding when there is insufficient proof of ownership.
Registration Fees: The most current list of boat registration fees may be obtained from the BMV or a Boating Law administrator.
Registration Renewals: Boat registration renewals in are available from the BMV.

Numbering Requirements

Boat registration numbers in the CNMI begin with a "CM" 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 Bureau of Motor Vehicles for a hull number assignment. These are prefixed with the letters "CMZ" 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 the Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands 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 the CNMI must be recorded as UCC filings with the Commonwealth Recorder's office. If a boat qualifies for USCG documentation, the lender may 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 boat registration database, recorded as Uniform Commercial Code filings, shown on tax and revenue records, or filed with a court clerk's office.
Mechanic's Liens: Check with a local attorney in the CNMI for information about the implementation of mechanic's liens in the CNMI. These may also 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 the CNMI other than by filing a report with the Department of Public Safety. 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 Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands registered boats will vary according to the type of lien and whether the boat is USCG documented.
Registration Database Searches: Registration records for the CNMI are maintained in a database administered by the Bureau 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 the CNMI can be found in the references for this overview.
UCC Searches: Uniform Commercial Code filing searches in the CNMI are available from the Commonwealth Recorder's Office.
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: 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 court 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. Business records in the CNMI are maintained  by the Department of Commerce which can be accessed from the referrals for this page
Stolen Boat Search: You will need to contact the Department of Public Safety for stolen boat information in the CNMI. 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: Contact the Department of Revenue and Taxation for information about Sales and Use tax in the Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands.
Personal Property Tax: Contact the Department of Revenue and Taxation for information about personal property tax in the Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands.
Insurance Requirements: Contact the Department of Public safety for information about boat insurance requirements in the CNMI.

Operator Requirements

Operator Requirements: Age limitations and boater education requirements may apply to boat operators in the Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands. Visit the referrals for this summary for the most current age and boater education requirements.
Accident Reporting: Boating accidents in the CNMI must be immediately reported to the Department of Public Safety.
Notifications: The Bureau 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 Department of Public Safety Marine Patrol Division is primarily responsible for boating law enforcement in the CNMI. 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
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