How to Get a New Registration for a Boat Owned by Someone Else

When you buy a used boat from an individual or a boat dealer, you need to take the vessel through the same registration process as you would for a new boat purchased from the dealer. Even if the boat was registered to the old owner, this registration number does not carry over to a new owner. Each state has slightly different ways of handling boat registration but the basic premise is the same: You provide proof of purchase and pay a fee to receive a boat registration.

Things You'll Need

  • Bill of sale
Show More

Instructions

    • 1

      Contact your state's Department of Natural Resources to find out which state agency controls boat registration. In some states (like Kansas and Georgia) it's the Department of Natural Resources - Wildlife Division or the Department of Wildlife and Parks. In New York state, boat registration happens through the Department of Motor Vehicles. Assume you'll need to show a bill of sale proving that you own the boat and ask if additional paperwork is required to register the boat. Ask what the current fee is for boat registration in your state.

    • 2

      Get a boat registration application from the agency in control of boat registration for your state.

    • 3

      Fill out the boat registration form with your personal information and vessel information.

    • 4

      Attach the bill of sale showing that you bought the boat from its prior owner. You should have received a duplicate copy of the bill of sale at the sales transaction. Also attach any other required paperwork for your state plus a check for the correct amount. For example, Georgia requires you to submit a copy of the old boat owner's registration card.

    • 5

      Mail in the paperwork to the appropriate office or drop it off in person. When the Department of Natural Resources or equivalent agency within your state processes the paperwork they will issue you a new registration for your boat.