New Jersey Boat Registration

by Boat Alert / Last Updated: March 28, 2024 / Boat Buying

New Jersey Boat Registration HIN Check

New Jersey 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 New Jersey. 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 New Jersey 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 NJ.

Where are New Jersey Boats Registered?

Remember, some states have titling for boats and others do not. New Jersey issues both registrations and titles for all non-exempt boats operating within its jurisdiction. These are administered by the NJ STATE Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC). Outboard motors are not titled or registered in New Jersey. Boat trailer registration is required on all trailers  and titles are issued for those weighing over 2,000 lbs.

Does New Jersey 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 160,000 boats registered in the State of New Jersey make up 1.5% of all USA vessel registrations?

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

New Jersey Boat Registration Numbers

New Jersey boat registration numbers begin with a “NJ”. The NJ 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 NJ 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 “NJZ” are available for home made boats and those without factory designations. Hull number inspections are not required in New Jersey 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 New Jersey

Security interests in state titled boats are recorded with the Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) in NJ. 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.

New Jersey Boat Title Search

Boat title and registration records in New Jersey are maintained by the Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC). This agency does not facilitate online searches on their website but you can search the boat-alert.com database.

New Jersey Boat Registration Lookup

The Boat-Alert.com database combines 72+ 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.

Titling & Registration Requirements in New Jersey

• TITLING
  • REQUIRED: Yes EFFECTIVE DATE : 1/1/1986
  • VESSEL TYPES: All boats except exempted
  • EXEMPTIONS: Those not based in New Jersey or operating for less than 180 consecutive days. Foreign vessels U.S. public vessels Ship’s lifeboats Non-motorized vessels used exclusively on small lakes and ponds on private property. Racing vessels with New Jersey State Marine Police permit. Non-motorized inflatable devices, surfboards, racing shells, dinghies, canoes and kayaks. Non-motorized vessels less than 12 feet in length. Tender/dinghy used solely for direct transportation between a vessel and shore.
  • FEES: $60 for the title fee $85 for a financed boat title
  • DUPLICATE FEE:
  • TRANSFER FEE:
• REGISTRATION
  • VESSEL TYPES: All boats except exempted
  • EXEMPTIONS: Those not based in New Jersey or operating for less than 180 consecutive days. Foreign vessels U.S. public vessels Ship’s lifeboats Non-motorized vessels used exclusively on small lakes and ponds on private property. Racing vessels with New Jersey State Marine Police permit. Non-motorized inflatable devices, surfboards, racing shells, dinghies, canoes and kayaks. Non-motorized vessels less than 12 feet in length. Tender/dinghy used solely for direct transportation between a vessel and shore.
  • USCG DOCUMENTED VESSELS REQUIRED: Yes
  • NUMBER OF DAYS BEFORE REGISTRATION REQUIRED: 180 consecutive days
  • FEES: Less than 16 feet $12.00 16 Feet but less than 26 feet $28.00 26 feet but less than 40 feet $52.00 40 feet but less than 65 feet $80.00 65 feet or more $250.00
  • DUPLICATE REGISTRATION FEE: $5
  • DUPLICATE DECAL FEE:
  • TRANSFER FEE:
  • LATE FEE:

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