How To Register A Boat In Maryland

Boat Registration

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What to Do and Where to Go

Register & Title Your Vessel

Frequently Asked...

I Desire to Championship and Register my Boat
I Want to Renew my Registration
I Can't Find my Title (or Registration Menu or Decals) and Need a Replacement
Information on my Boat Title is Wrong. How do I become it Corrected?
I've Sold (or Destroyed my Boat) - Now What Exercise I Do?
If you have whatever questions, delight contact your local service center

How do I know if my vessel must be registered in Maryland?

Your vessel, whether commercial or recreational, must be registered in Maryland if information technology is:

Equipped with whatsoever kind of primary or auxiliary mechanical propulsion; and
Used in Maryland well-nigh in a calendar year.

Note: United states of america Declension Baby-sit documented vessels using Maryland waters are Not exempt from the vessel excise tax. When used principally in Maryland, documented vessels must display a documented utilize decal.

If your vessel was purchased in Maryland and will use Maryland waters a bulk of the calendar year, you are liable for vessel excise taxation and must register the vessel within 30 days of purchase to avoid assessment of penalty and interest.

If your vessel was purchased elsewhere or previously registered in another jurisdiction, is now in Maryland waters, and will employ Maryland waters more than whatever other single jurisdiction during the agenda yr, you are liable for vessel excise tax and must annals the vessel inside 30 days of entering Maryland waters.

If your vessel is duly registered in another jurisdiction but remains in Maryland waters more 90 days in a calendar year, you may exist liable for vessel excise tax unless you can prove principal apply in some other jurisdiction.

What is "principal employ?" viii-701 of the Country Boat Human action

"State of principal use" means the jurisdiction on whose waters a vessel is used or to be used most during a agenda twelvemonth, which is the period from January 1 through December 31.

"Apply" means to operate, navigate, or employ a vessel. A vessel is in employ whenever it is upon the water, whether it is moving, anchored, or tied upwardly to any manner of dock or buoy. A vessel is likewise in use if it is kept in whatsoever structure in readiness for use.

When must I apply?

Vessel excise tax must be paid inside 30 days of Maryland tax liability to avoid the cess of penalization (10% of vessel excise tax due) and interest (1.5% per calendar month).

Vessel in Disrepair at time of Buy

If you are given a boat because it is no longer operational or is in very poor status, or the purchase toll is much lower than fair market value because of the boat's current condition, be sure to title the boat in your name within xxx days of purchase. Refer to the What documents will I need? section on this webpage to ensure you accept all of the required documents. The certified pecker of sale should detail the condition of the boat and list the items that are not operational on the vessel. Photographs of the poor vessel status may be required to confirm a much lower Fair Market Value. If y'all look to title until work on the vessel is completed, vessel excise revenue enhancement volition be assessed against the college value of the restored boat.

What documents will I need?

All documents must clearly place the vessel past hull identification #, assigned boat # (ex: MD 1234 AB), or USCG documentation #.

Vessel is currently titled in Maryland

Original Maryland championship (properly assigned – purchaser proper name, seller's signature and date, purchase cost)
Section 2 – taxes/fees – must also be calculated and entered
Sections 4 through seven must also exist completed, all purchaser's must sign in section 7
Original Certified/Notarized Neb of Sale if purchaser'due south proper noun, sale appointment or toll is missing from assignment of championship
A neb of auction must include the names of the buyer and the seller, date of sale, seller's signature, amount of sale and vessel description (year, manufacturer, hull identification number and/or current registration number).
Original lien release if seller'southward title shows a recorded lien

New Vessel

DNR Form B-240
Original Manufacturer'south Document of Origin, and
Original Certified / Notarized Beak of Auction if the Certificate of Origin does non contain the purchaser, purchase price and date of sale and signature of all owners.
A certified beak of sale is a bill of sale that contains the following statement: "I declare and affirm under penalty of perjury that the facts in this neb of sale are true and correct". A bill of auction must include the names of the buyer and the seller, appointment of sale, seller's signature, purchase price and vessel description (twelvemonth, manufacturer, hull identification number and/or current registration number).

New Vessel Purchased via Internet

When a vessel is purchased via the Internet, and is shipped with a manufacturer's certificate of origin (MCO) that contains no signature or a preprinted signature, or purchaser is directed to a website to create the MCO, the post-obit is required to establish ownership:

Vessels 12' in length and smaller

DNR Class B-240

Manufacturer's Certificate of Origin

Pencil tracing or photograph of Hull identification number

Evidence of payment

Vessels greater than 12' in length

DNR Form B-240

Original Manufacturer's Certificate of Origin Fully executed by the manufacturer

Original Certified / Notarized Nib of Sale if the Certificate of Origin does not comprise the purchaser, purchase price and engagement of auction and signature of all owners.

A certified beak of sale is a nib of sale that contains the following statement: "I declare and affirm under penalty of perjury that the facts in this beak of auction are true and right". A nib of sale must include the names of the buyer and the seller, date of auction, seller's signature, buy toll and vessel description (year, manufacturer, hull identification number and/or current registration number).

Used Vessel

Vessel is registered in a title state:

DNR Class B-240

Original title (properly assigned – purchaser name, seller's signature and date, buy price)

Original Certified / Notarized Bill of Sale if purchaser'southward name, auction engagement or price is missing from consignment of title

A pecker of sale must include the names of the buyer and the seller, engagement of auction, seller'southward signature, amount of sale and vessel description (year, manufacturer, hull identification number and/or electric current registration number).

Original lien release if seller'due south title shows a recorded lien.

Vessel is registered in a non-title state:

DNR Form B-240

Copy of out-of-state registration card or a true examination copy of that state'southward official vessel record

Original Certified / Notarized Bill of Sale

A bill of sale must include the names of the buyer and the seller, appointment of sale, seller's signature, corporeality of sale and vessel description (year, manufacturer, hull identification number and/or current registration number).

Original lien release if card or record shows a recorded lien

When previously U. Due south. Declension Guard documented

DNR Form B-240

Original/Certified Notarized Bill of Sale

A bill of sale must include the names of the buyer and the seller, date of sale, seller's signature, amount of sale and vessel clarification (twelvemonth, manufacturer, hull identification number and/or electric current registration number).

Photocopy of seller'due south Certificate of Documentation

USCG Abstract of Title (contact U. S. Coast Baby-sit at 1-800-799-8362)

Release of ship's mortgage (if applicative)

Documented Vessel (for use decal and/or tax payment)

USCG stamped Bill of Sale that includes the selling cost.
Photocopy of current Document of Documentation.
DNR Form B-240.

Important NOTE (ALL BOATS): Verify that the hull identification number (HIN) engraved or embossed on the hull of your vessel matches the HIN recorded on your ownership documents. If they practise not agree, contact a DNR Service Middle for instructions.

Abandoned Boat

8-722 of Maryland's State Boat Human action prescribes the procedure past which an individual may claim title to a vessel that has been abased on their holding for more than 180 days (complete DNR Form B-117).

Instructions for Abandoned Boat Process

This process is non a remedy for an private who has lost a vessel championship or was not given a title when the vessel was purchased. In those instances, the purchaser should (a) contact the owner of record to secure a replacement title, which can and so be duly signed over to the purchaser, or (b) contact a DNR Service Center for farther instructions.

Homebuilt Boat

Complete DNR Form B-104 and DNR Form B-240 – See criteria for registering a floating platform.

Where practise I title/annals my newly caused vessel?

Title/Registration documents can be presented in person or mailed to i of the Maryland DNR Service Centers.

How do I renew my vessel registration?

There are at present several options to renew your vessel registration:

Online, either through the DNR Compass Portal or Motor Vehicle Assistants eStore by clicking one of them below

DNR Compass Portal
Motor Vehicle Administration eStore

In person (by date just) or via mail service at i of the Maryland DNR Service Centers
Motor Vehicle Administration Kiosk

Please note if you renew your vessel registration online or through the MVA eStore or Kiosk you will have the ability to print a receipt that you volition need to continue on the vessel that volition be skillful for up to xxx days. You should however, receive your registration/decals inside approximately 10 business days of purchase.

Click here for step-past-pace instructions on how to renew using one of the online options listed and to also see if your vessel meets the criteria of eligibility to renew online.

The DNR Form B-201 A should be used when renewing the registration for boats already registered in Maryland only when the official renewal application cannot exist located.

How do I become replacement title, registration menu or decals?

In to lodge to obtain a replacement title, replacement registration menu or replacement registration decals the DNR Course B-108 - Application for Replacement or Corrected Title, Registration or Decals will demand to be completed and forwarded to any DNR Service Eye either in person or by post.

How do I correct the information on my boat title or registration card?

If any information on your boat title or registration card needs to be corrected the DNR Form B-108 - Application for Replacement or Corrected Title, Registration or Decals will need to exist completed and forwarded to any DNR Service Eye either in person or past mail.

What fees will be due?

v% VESSEL EXCISE Tax imposed by viii-716 (c) (three) (ii) of the Land Gunkhole Act on the purchase toll or fair market value of all vessels used principally in Maryland. Excise revenue enhancement must be paid inside 30 days of Maryland taxation liability to avoid cess of penalty and interest. There is a minimum tax of $5 and effective July 1, 2021, a maximum tax of $15,600.

When the sale occurs through a licensed boat dealer, viii-716(a)(3)(i) of Maryland's Land Boat Deed allows credit for a traded vessel. Vessel excise tax is assessed against the purchase price less the value of any vessel traded in as part of the consideration for the sale. Credit may not be given for any other trade (due east.g. RV, motorcycle). The trade-in value may non exceed the value for the trade-in vessel as shown in the national publication of used vessel values adopted by the Department – the BUC Book.

When purchased within the final 3 years, the Bill of Auction or reassigned championship establishes the buy price of the vessel (including motors, spars, sails and accessories, only not the trailer). When more than iii years accept elapsed, the section uses the BUC Volume to determine electric current fair market value, using an average of the depression and high retail value.

All vessel excise tax is deposited into the Waterway Improvement Fund, defended to improving Maryland's waterways through dredging, the placement of navigational aids, the construction of canoeing access facilities, boater safety education and law enforcement.

eight-716(f) of the State Gunkhole Human action allows reciprocity credit for excise or sales taxation previously paid to another jurisdiction if:

The vessel was formerly titled or numbered in another jurisdiction; or
The vessel was formerly federally documented and principally used in another jurisdiction; and
The present owner paid a sales or excise tax on the vessel to the other jurisdiction (proof required – validated receipt, etc.); and
The jurisdiction to which the tax was paid would allow an equivalent exemption or credit for vessel excise tax formerly paid to the Land of Maryland.

A member of the armed services serving on active duty in the state is exempt for one yr. The exemption applies only to vessels currently registered elsewhere and brought into Maryland because of the duty transfer. New purchases are non exempt.

A vessel transfer between firsthand family members is exempt from vessel excise tax as defined in Natural Resource Article, §8-716(e)DNR Grade B-105.

A vessel transfer between firsthand family members is exempt from vessel excise tax including the $5 minimum tax when:

The family unit members meet the definition of 'immediate family' as described below; and:

Vessel is currently titled in the State of Maryland
-or -
The out of land vessel was previously titled in Maryland by the family fellow member
-or -
USCG Documented Vessel owner has previously paid Maryland Excise Tax

COMAR 08.04.01.01(B)
(16) "Immediate family" means spouse, son, daughter, female parent, father, sis, blood brother, grandmother, grandad, son-in-law, male parent-in-police, mother-in-law, daughter-in-law, grandson, granddaughter, stepfather, stepmother, halfbrother, halfsister, stepson, or stepdaughter. The term includes persons and so related past virtue of adoption.

A vessel placed with a Maryland licensed dealer or banker for resale is exempt from vessel excise tax provided (a) the vessel is titled or numbered in another state or is federally documented, and (b) the owner signs an affidavit that in that location will be no use of the vessel on the waters of the state other than for a ocean trial.

$ii Championship FEE

$24 REGISTRATION FEE

Vessels 16 feet in length or less and/or propelled by a motor of 7.5 hp or less must display a ii-year registration decal merely are exempt from the fee.

The 2-twelvemonth registration decal is valid for the calendar yr in which it is issued and the subsequent year, expiring on Dec 31.

$ten DOCUMENTED DECAL (required of USCG documented vessels in lieu of the registration fee)

$15 SECURITY INTEREST FILING FEE (if a lien is to be recorded)

Checks or money orders payable to the "Marland Section of Natural Resource" must be for the exact amount due.

How practice I go replacement title, registration card or decals?

In to gild to obtain a replacement championship, replacement registration card or replacement registration decals the DNR Form B-108 - Application for Replacement or Corrected Title, Registration or Decals volition need to be completed and forwarded to any DNR Service Center either in person or by mail.

How practice I right the information on my gunkhole title or registration carte?

If any information on your gunkhole title or registration carte needs to be corrected the DNR Form B-108 - Application for Replacement or Corrected Title, Registration or Decals will need to exist completed and forwarded to any DNR Service Center either in person or by mail.

What do I practise when I sell my boat?

Vessel owners must notify the department inside 15 days if a vessel is sold or destroyed. Notification should include appointment and circumstances (purchaser name and address, amount of sale) and be forwarded to a Licensing & Registration Service Center either in person, by fax, or by mail. Registration decals should be removed from the vessel if you will be requesting a refund of the second twelvemonth's registration fee ($12). Contact whatever Licensing & Registration Service Heart for Course 158-A Application for Refund, and submit along with the registration card and both decals to any Licensing & Registration Service Middle in the offset year of the vessel'southward two-year registration.

Boating FORMS

(These are Adobe Acrobat files and require the free Acrobat Reader.)

What almost my boat trailer?

Boat trailers are registered with the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration 1-800-950-1682.

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