Boat Titling
What boats are required to be titled?
All boats longer than 24 feet are required to be titled unless the boat is documented by the United States Coast Guard. Boats 24 feet in length or less have the option to be titled but are not required. Lienholders must be recorded on all boats.
What documents are required to title a boat?
Bring one of the following documents to prove boat ownership and obtain a title and registration:
- The original manufacturer’s certificate of origin (MCO)
- The original manufacturer’s statement of origin (MSO)
- A boat title from the previous state of ownership
- A completed CG-1261 builder’s certificate
If you do not have any of these documents to establish ownership, a boat title cannot be issued, however the boat can still be registered, and a 3-year title process will be started. After 3-years, if the ownership of the boat remains uncontested and there is no undisclosed security interest in the boat then a certificate of title will be issued.
Boat Registration
What boats are required to be registered in Alaska?
All boats including barges, sport fishing guide boats, tenders, and boats utilizing any form of a motor are required to be registered in Alaska unless specifically exempted. The following are exempt from registration:
- A ships lifeboat
- A seaplane
- An inspected passenger vessel
- A single air mattress, single inner tube, or other water toy
- Non-Powered boats, such as kayaks or canoes, that are NOT used as fishing guide boats
- Boats with valid registration from another state or country that are not going to be operated for more than 90 consecutive days in Alaska
- Boats owned by the U.S. Government or a U.S. State or Territory
- A foreign Documented boat
What documents are required to register a boat?
Please bring one of the following documents to register your boat OR start your 3-year waiting period for a title:
- Any of the documents listed in the ownership section above
- A copy of the current Certificate of Documentation issued by the USCG (Documentation is required with each renewal while the boat remains documented)
- A boat registration from the previous state
- A bill of sale from the previous owner or a boat dealer
- An affidavit of ownership (found on the boat application)