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
Comments - Suggestions - Corrections