Other Facts About Titling and Registering Your Vessel

Here are some additional facts about titling and registering your vessel.

• Vessels propelled by a motor (including gasoline, diesel, and electric motors) and sail-powered vessels over 18 feet in length must be titled.
• A Certificate of Number expires every three years.
• The owner of a vessel must notify the agency that issued the Certificate of Number within 15 days if:
  • The vessel is sold, destroyed, abandoned, lost, or stolen
  • The owner’s address changes
  • The certificate of number is lost or destroyed
• If you lose or destroy your Certificate of Number or decal, you must apply to Virginia DWR for a duplicate.
• Larger recreational vessels may be documented (registered) by the USCG. Call the USCG at 1-800-799-8362 for more information.