How to Do a Boat Title Search (by State)

Unlike cars, there is no national title database for boats. Each state has its own rules about which boats require titles, where titles are filed, and what a title search involves. Some states do not title boats at all. This fragmentation makes verifying boat ownership one of the trickier parts of a used boat purchase.

This guide covers the general landscape: which states title boats, where to go for a search, and the key differences you should know about.

Title vs. Registration: What Is the Difference?

These two terms get confused constantly, but they are separate things:

• Title: A legal document that proves ownership. It names the owner, identifies the vessel by HIN, and lists any recorded liens (like a bank loan). Titles transfer when a boat is sold.
• Registration: A permit to operate the boat on public waterways. It involves paying annual fees and displaying a registration number (like a license plate). Registration does not prove ownership.

In title states, you need both. In non-title states, you only have registration plus a bill of sale as proof of ownership.

Which States Require Boat Titles?

The majority of U.S. states require boat titles, though thresholds vary:

States that title all motorized boats

Many states require a title for any boat with a motor, regardless of size. These include major boating markets like Florida, Texas, Michigan, Ohio, Wisconsin, and Minnesota. In these states, you should always see a title as part of the sale.

States with length or horsepower thresholds

Some states only title boats above a certain length (often 14 or 16 feet) or above a specific horsepower rating. Smaller boats, canoes, kayaks, and non-motorized vessels may only need registration. Check with your state agency for the exact threshold.

Non-title states

A few states do not issue boat titles at all. In these states, proof of ownership is typically a bill of sale, and registration is the primary record. Non-title states include parts of New England and a few others where boating is less common. Alaska, for example, does not title boats.

How to Run a Title Search

The process depends on the type of vessel and where it is registered:

State-titled boats

Contact the state agency that handles boat titles. This varies:

• Florida: County tax collector's office. Florida titles all motorized vessels and all vessels over 16 feet.
• Texas: Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD). Titles required for all motorized boats and sailboats 14 feet and longer.
• California: DMV. All motorized vessels must be registered (California does not issue boat titles; registration and a bill of sale serve as proof of ownership).
• Michigan: Secretary of State. All motorized boats must be titled.
• New York: DMV. Titles required for motorized boats model year 1987 and newer, and all boats 14 feet and over of those same model years.

When you contact the agency, you will typically need the HIN and/or the registration number. Some states allow online searches; others require in-person visits or written requests. The title search will show the recorded owner and any state-recorded liens (like a bank loan or finance company).

USCG-documented vessels

Boats documented with the U.S. Coast Guard (common for boats over 26 feet or those involved in coastwise trade) have their own title system. The USCG National Vessel Documentation Center (NVDC) maintains ownership records and records “preferred ship mortgages” (the federal equivalent of a boat loan lien).

To get the most complete record, order an Abstract of Title from the NVDC. This document shows every recorded owner and every recorded encumbrance for the life of the vessel. It costs approximately $25 and can be requested from the NVDC website. Allow several weeks for processing.

What a Title Search Will (and Will Not) Show

What it shows

• Current registered owner (or documented owner)
• Bank liens and finance company security interests
• Preferred ship mortgages (documented vessels only)
• Whether the title is currently flagged, suspended, or revoked

What it does not show

• Unrecorded maritime liens (repair bills, marina fees, fuel charges)
• Stolen vessel status (requires a separate theft database search)
• Salvage or total loss history
• Accident history
• Recall status

That is why a title search alone is not enough. You need to pair it with the other checks covered in our complete boat history guide: stolen vessel databases, maritime lien searches, salvage records, and accident history.

Tips for a Clean Transaction

• Always see the original title. Never accept a photocopy or “title on the way.” If the seller does not have the title in hand, the deal is not ready to close.
• Match the HIN. Compare the HIN on the hull (both primary and hidden locations) to the HIN on the title. They must match exactly.
• Check the seller's identity. The name on the title should match the seller's photo ID. If not, ask for a notarized power of attorney or walk away.
• Use a bill of sale. Even in title states, always create a written bill of sale that includes the HIN, purchase price, date, and signatures of both parties.
• Transfer the title promptly. After purchase, file the title transfer with your state agency immediately. Delays create gaps in the ownership record that can cause problems later.