Tennessee Boat Registration Overview
All you should know about registering a boat in Tennessee.
Tennessee 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 Tennessee. This includes essential references for the most detailed and accurate information currently available.
Registration Agency
In Tennessee, boat registration is administered by the
Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) which is headquartered in Nashville. Registration services are handled
online or through a local County Clerk’s office.
Registration Statistics: There are approximately 244,601 boats
currently registered in Tennessee which accounts for 2.1 percent nationwide.
USCG vessel documentation records indicate 2,787 documented owners with a
Tennessee address and 1,438 documented vessels that display a Tennessee hailing
port.
Uniform Titling: Tennessee 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 Tennessee.
Vessel Identification System: Tennessee participates in the Vessel Identification System (VIS) where boat registration data is shared among government agencies throughout the nation.
Registration Requirements
Tennessee 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 all motorized boats and watercraft in Tennessee.
Sailboats:
Sailboats are subject to registration in Tennessee if motorized.
Canoes and Kayaks: Manually propelled canoes and kayaks are exempt
from registration in Tennessee.
Inflatable Boats:
Inflatable boats must be registered in Tennessee if mechanically powered.
Dinghies and Tenders: Dinghies and tenders must be registered in
Tennessee if mechanically powered.
Lifeboats: Lifeboats must be
registered in Tennessee if mechanically powered.
Documented Vessels: Coast Guard documented vessels are
subject to registration in Tennessee.
Visiting Boats:
Foreign boats and those registered in another state may visit Tennessee
for not more than 60 consecutive days before having to register.
Boat Titles:
Boat titles are not available in Tennessee as it is a registration only
state.
Outboard Motors: Titles and registrations are not
available for outboard boat motors in Tennessee.
Boat Trailers: Boat trailers
are not registered or titled in Tennessee.
Registration Application
Persons who wish to register any boat in
Tennessee must complete a certified Application for Boat
Certificate of Number which can be obtained through a County
Clerk's office or from the dealer that sold you the boat. In
doing so, you will need to provide evidence of ownership, fees and taxes.
Application Forms: A boat registration application and other
related forms must be obtained from a local County Clerk's
office.
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 Wildlife Resources
Agency 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 TRWA website.
Registration Renewals: Boat
registration renewals in are available in person, by mail or
online from the TRWA website.
Numbering Requirements
Boat registration numbers in Tennessee begin
with an "TN" 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
Wildlife Resources Agency for a hull number
assignment. These are prefixed with the letters "TNZ" 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 Tennessee 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 Tennessee 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
New Tennessee 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 Tennessee other than by filing a report with the
Wildlife Resources Agency. 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 Tennessee registered
boats will vary according to the type of lien and whether the
boat is USCG documented.
Registration Database Searches:
Registration records for Tennessee are maintained
in a database administered by the Wildlife Resources Agency.
Access to such data is available for owners and certain
qualified parties as prescribed by regulatory standards.
Comprehensive guidelines about boat record searches in Tennessee can be found in the references
for this overview.
UCC Searches:
Uniform Commercial Code filing searches in Tennessee 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: Tennessee does not maintain a list of
boats that have been stolen within the state. You will need to
contact the Wildlife Resources Agency 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 Tennessee 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 Tennessee.
Insurance
Requirements: Boat liability and collision insurance are not required in
Tennessee. 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
Tennessee. Visit the referrals for this summary for the most current age
and boater education requirements.
Accident Reporting:
Boating accidents must be immediately reported to the Tennessee
Wildlife Resources Agency.
Notifications: The Wildlife Resources Agency 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 Wildlife Resources Agency is primarily responsible for
boating law enforcement in Tennessee. 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