It's the Law: Before Going Out on Your Vessel

Titling Your Motorboat

All vessels 14 feet or greater in length that require registration, must also be titled.

• The title application must be made to Massachusetts Environmental Police within 20 days of purchasing a vessel.
• The title certificate is valid for the life of the vessel, or until the vessel is sold or otherwise transferred, at which time the new owner must transfer the title.

Other Facts About Registering and Titling

A Certificate of Number is valid for two years from the date of issuance. Owners of vessels that have already been registered will be sent a renewal notice to their residence at least one month prior to the expiration of their current registration.

Massachusetts Environmental Police must be notified within 15 days of any of these events:

• The sale, trade or transfer of ownership of a registered vessel
• The abandonment, destruction, loss or theft of a registered vessel
• The change of address of the owner of a registered vessel
• The destruction or loss of a Certificate of Number or validation decal

Boat trailers are registered and titled under the same requirements as passenger cars. Application is made through the Registry of Motor Vehicles.

Larger recreational vessels, owned by U.S. citizens, may (at the option of the owner) be documented by the U.S. Coast Guard. Call the USCG at 1-800-799-8362 for more information. Documented vessels are exempt from registration and titling requirements.