District of Columbia Boat Registration – DC boat search

by Boat Alert / Last Updated: December 29, 2023 / Boat Buying

District of Columbia Boat Registration HIN Check

District of Columbia boat registration FAQs are found below and can be downloaded as PDF. We have written this page to inform the boating community about registration requirements, recording methods, and title search guidelines for the State of District of Columbia. We also cover the titling fees if applicable.

We will cover information about the Boat Registration Agency in this state and if you are wondering about Registration and marking requirements we have an overview of that as well. We also talk about Registration Requirements for boats in District of Columbia along with things you need to know about boat Ownership and Liens so you can better perform Boat Title Searches or boat history lookups in DC.

Where are District of Columbia Boats Registered?

Remember, some states have titling for boats and others do not. District of Columbia issues both registrations and titles for all non-exempt boats operating within its jurisdiction. These are administered by the DC STATE Metropolitan Police District in Washington (MPDC). Uses their OVERS system. This state does not issue titles or registrations for outboard motors but note that Boat trailer registration and titling would be mandatory for those weighing over 1,000 lbs.

Does District of Columbia have clean titles? Boat titles are always “clean” unless a state has enacted UCOTVA. All other states will not have any indication on the title that the boat has a salvage or total loss brand like cars have on their titles.

Did you know that 2000 boats registered in the State of District of Columbia make up 0.2% of all USA vessel registrations?

For more boating statistics see: Volume of Recreational boating vessels in the U.S.

District of Columbia Boat Registration Numbers

District of Columbia boat registration numbers begin with a “DC”. The DC designation is followed by four numbers and then two letters like in most states. You will have to display these as shown above, if your boat is not documented at the USCG. Put the DC boat registration sticker tab next to it. The state reg. number should not be confused with the 12 character Hull ID (HIN).

All boats manufactured after 1972 are required to have a 12 digit hull identification number affixed to the vessel by the manufacturer. State assigned hull numbers prefixed with the letters “DCZ” are available for home made boats and those without factory designations. Hull number inspections are not required in District of Columbia unless there is a discrepancy. (use HinDecoder.com to validate your HIN formatting is good)

Order engraved HIN Tag ID Plate from ebay here.

Exceptionally, a Coast Guard documented vessel does not need to display the state registration number but instead they would display the state registration tabs, an owner designated vessel name, and a hailing port. The USCG Official documentation number must also be affixed on other locations on the boat: interior location in the hull itself or an integral part of the hull.

Boat Liens Database In District of Columbia

Security interests in state titled boats are recorded with the Metropolitan Police District in Washington (MPDC) in DC. These will be shown on both the registration and title certificates if there are any. Security interests in boats that are neither titled or USCG documented are recorded with the Secretary of State as Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) filings. If the vessel is USCG documented, a lender’s security interests will be recorded with the National Vessel Documentation Center (NVDC) and are indexed on the boat’s abstract of title. This is different from state registration lookups and can be ordered at boat-abstract.com.

Tax liens may be flagged on boat registration records, recorded as UCC filings, shown on state revenue records, or filed with a county clerk’s office. There are no provisions for recording mechanic’s liens or other non-secured claims against state titled boats. Uniform Commercial Code searches are available online from the Secretary of State.

District of Columbia Boat Title Search

Boat title and registration records in District of Columbia are maintained by the Metropolitan Police District in Washington (MPDC). This agency does not facilitate online searches on their website but you can search the boat-alert.com database.

District of Columbia Boat Registration Lookup

The Boat-Alert.com database combines 68+ nationwide databases into a single place so you can search in a matter of minutes. These include records for stolen boats, marine lien claims, boating accidents, pollution incidents, auctioned boats, factory recalls, and boat manufacturers.

Boat Titling & Registration FAQ for District of Columbia

Titling Requirements in DC:

• Is boat titling required in the District of Columbia?
  • Yes, boat titling is required in the District of Columbia.
• When did the titling requirement become effective in the District of Columbia?
  • The titling requirement became effective on 1/1/1977.
• What types of vessels require titling in the District of Columbia?
  • Non-Coast Guard Documented Vessels.
• Are there any exemptions from titling boats in the District of Columbia?
  • Coast Guard Documented vessels are exempt from titling in the District of Columbia.
• What are the fees for boat titling in the District of Columbia?
  • 6% Title Tax: Formula is purchase price X 6% = tax due.
    • New: Purchase price shown on Bill of Sale.
    • Used: Amount on Bill of Sale up to 30 days from sale date. After 30 days, a Fair Market Value will be determined.
    • Documented vessels are exempt from Title Tax.
  • Title Fee: $2.00 for DC Certificate of Number vessel.
• Is there a fee for obtaining a duplicate titling certificate?
  • The fee for a duplicate titling certificate in the District of Columbia is $5.
• Is there a fee for transferring boat titling?
  • The fee for transferring boat titling in the District of Columbia is $2.

Registration Requirements in DC:

• What types of vessels require registration in the District of Columbia?
  • All vessels require registration in the District of Columbia.
• Are there any exemptions from boat registration in the District of Columbia?
  • Race Shells are exempt from boat registration in the District of Columbia.
• Are USCG documented vessels required to be registered in the District of Columbia?
  • Yes, USCG documented vessels are required to be registered in the District of Columbia.
• How many days before registration is required in the District of Columbia?
  • Registration is required within less than 50 consecutive days.

Fees for Boat Registration for DC:

• What are the registration fees for boats in the District of Columbia?
  • Non-powered: $10.00 (any length).
  • Less than 16 feet: $15.00.
  • 16 feet to less than 26 feet: $25.00.
  • Over 26 feet: $35.00.
  • Over 40 feet: $60.00.
• Is there a fee for duplicate boat registration?
  • The fee for duplicate boat registration in the District of Columbia is $5.
• Is there a fee for duplicate decal?
  • The fee for a duplicate decal in the District of Columbia is $5.
• Is there a fee for transferring boat registration?
  • The transfer fee depends on the size of the vessel and ranges from $10.00 to $60.00.

Late Fees:

• Is there a late fee for boat registration in the District of Columbia?
  • No, there is no late fee for boat registration in the District of Columbia.

Titling & Registration Requirements in District of Columbia

• TITLING
  • REQUIRED: Yes EFFECTIVE DATE : 1/1/1977
  • VESSEL TYPES: Non Coast Guard Documented Vessels
  • EXEMPTIONS: Coast Guard Documented
  • FEES: 6% TITLE TAX- formula is purchase $ price X 6% = tax due NEW- purchase price shown on BOS USED- amount on BOS up to 30 days from sale date. (After 30 days a Fair Market Value will be determined). DOCUMENTED- exempt from Title Tax TITLE FEE-$2.00 for DC Certificate of Number vessel
  • DUPLICATE FEE: $5
  • TRANSFER FEE: $2
• REGISTRATION
  • VESSEL TYPES: All Vessels
  • EXEMPTIONS: Race Shells
  • USCG DOCUMENTED VESSELS REQUIRED: Yes
  • NUMBER OF DAYS BEFORE REGISTRATION REQUIRED: Less than 50 Consecutive Days
  • FEES: Non-powered – $10.00 (any length) Less than 16 – $15.00 Between 16 – $25.00 Over 26 – $35.00 Over 40 – $60.00
  • DUPLICATE REGISTRATION FEE: 5
  • DUPLICATE DECAL FEE: 5
  • TRANSFER FEE: Depends on size of vessel. $10.00-$60.00
  • LATE FEE: No

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