North Carolina Registration and Title Information

Summary of boat registration and titling rules in North Carolina

How do you register a boat in North Carolina?

In North Carolina, you can register your boat in person at Raleigh headquarters, by mail, at a Wildlife Service Agent located throughout the state. Renewals and duplicate registrations may be purchased online.

Where do you register your boat in North Carolina?

In North Carolina, you register your boat at the NC Wildlife Resources Commission

What boats are required to be registered in North Carolina?

The following boats are required to be registered in North Carolina: All motorized vessels operating on public waters including USCG Documented vessels.

What boats do not require registration in North Carolina?

The following boats are not required to be registered in North Carolina: • Vessels that are unused and kept on dry land do not need registration in North Carolina. • Rowboats, canoes, kayaks, and rafts moved only by oars, paddles, or the current do not need registration in North Carolina. • A vessel used only on a private pond does not need registration in North Carolina. • Ship's lifeboats or dinghies do not need to be registered if they are used only for emergency lifeboat purposes. However, if they are motorized and used for non-emergency purposes, they do require registration.

Are USCG documented boats required to be registered in North Carolina?

USCG documented boats are required to be registered in North Carolina

How much does it cost to register a boat in North Carolina?

To register a boat in North Carolina, the fees are as follows: • 1 year transfer or new w/ title less than 26 ft = $70 • 3 year transfer or new w/ title less than 26ft = $130 • 1 year transfer or new w/ title 26 ft or greater = $90 • 3 year transfer or new w/ title 26 ft or greater = $190 • 1 year transfer or new w/o title (vessels less than 14 ft except personal watercraft) = $35 • 3 year transfer or new w/o title (vessels less than 14 ft except personal watercraft) = $95 • 1 year transfer or new w/o title (vessel 26ft or greater documented with the USCG) = $55 • 3 year transfer or new w/o title (vessel 26ft or greater documented with the USCG) = $155

How much does it cost to get a duplicate boat registration in North Carolina?

A duplicate boat registration in North Carolina costs $8

How much does it cost to get a duplicate boat decal in North Carolina?

A duplicate boat decal in North Carolina costs $8 and comes with a duplicate registration

How much does it cost to transfer a boat registration in North Carolina?

Transfering a boat registration in North Carolina is included with the title transfer fee

Does North Carolina title boats?

Boats are titled in North Carolina

Where do you title your boat in North Carolina?

In North Carolina, boats are titled through the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commision

What boats are required to be titled in North Carolina?

Any motorized vessel 14ft or greater and personal watercraft are required to be titled in North Carolina

What boats do not require a title in North Carolina?

The following boats are not required to be titled in North Carolina: any vessel not considered a personal watercraft under 14ft in length and USCG documented vessels

How much does it cost to title a boat in North Carolina?

The following fees apply to boat titling in North Carolina: • 1 year transfer or new w/ title less than 26 ft = $70 • 3 year transfer or new w/ title less than 26ft = $130 • 1 year transfer or new w/ title 26 ft or greater = $90 • 3 year transfer or new w/ title 26 ft or greater = $190 • 1 year transfer or new w/o title (vessels less than 14 ft except personal watercraft) = $35 • 3 year transfer or new w/o title (vessels less than 14 ft except personal watercraft) = $95 • 1 year transfer or new w/o title (vessel 26ft or greater documented with the USCG) = $55 • 3 year transfer or new w/o title (vessel 26ft or greater documented with the USCG) = $155 • Add a title to a vessel = $35 • Duplicate title = $35 • Duplicate registration = $8 • Record Lien on active title = $15 • Record Lien/add/activate title = $35

How much does it cost to get a duplicate boat title in North Carolina?

A duplicate boat title in North Carolina costs $15

How much does it cost to transfer a boat title in North Carolina?

Transferring a boat title in North Carolina will cost you the following: • 1 year transfer or new w/ title less than 26 ft = $70 • 3 year transfer or new w/ title less than 26ft = $130 • 1 year transfer or new w/ title 26 ft or greater = $90 • 3 year transfer or new w/ title 26 ft or greater = $190 • 1 year transfer or new w/o title (vessels less than 14 ft except personal watercraft) = $35 • 3 year transfer or new w/o title (vessels less than 14 ft except personal watercraft) = $95 • 1 year transfer or new w/o title (vessel 26ft or greater documented with the USCG) = $55 • 3 year transfer or new w/o title (vessel 26ft or greater documented with the USCG) = $155

How much does it cost to record a lien on a boat in North Carolina?

Recording a lien in North Carolina will cost you $15

Does North Carolina issue e-titles for boats?

North Carolina does not issue e-titles for boats.

Does North Carolina require boat inspections?

North Carolina does not require an inspection to register a boat.

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North Carolina Boat Registration / Title Forms and FAQ

North Carolina Frequently Asked Questions

North Carolina Registration and Title Information: Summary of boat registration and titling rules in North Carolina
How do you register a boat in North Carolina?: In North Carolina, you can register your boat in person at Raleigh headquarters, by mail, at a Wildlife Service Agent located throughout the state. Renewals and duplicate registrations may be purchased online.
Where do you register your boat in North Carolina?: In North Carolina, you register your boat at the NC Wildlife Resources Commission
What boats are required to be registered in North Carolina?: The following boats are required to be registered in North Carolina: All motorized vessels operating on public waters including USCG Documented vessels.
What boats do not require registration in North Carolina?: The following boats are not required to be registered in North Carolina: • Vessels that are unused and kept on dry land do not need registration in North Carolina. • Rowboats, canoes, kayaks, and rafts moved only by oars, paddles, or the current do not need registration in North Carolina. • A vessel used only on a private pond does not need registration in North Carolina. • Ship's lifeboats or dinghies do not need to be registered if they are used only for emergency lifeboat purposes. However, if they are motorized and used for non-emergency purposes, they do require registration.
Are USCG documented boats required to be registered in North Carolina?: USCG documented boats are required to be registered in North Carolina
How much does it cost to register a boat in North Carolina?: To register a boat in North Carolina, the fees are as follows: • 1 year transfer or new w/ title less than 26 ft = $70 • 3 year transfer or new w/ title less than 26ft = $130 • 1 year transfer or new w/ title 26 ft or greater = $90 • 3 year transfer or new w/ title 26 ft or greater = $190 • 1 year transfer or new w/o title (vessels less than 14 ft except personal watercraft) = $35 • 3 year transfer or new w/o title (vessels less than 14 ft except personal watercraft) = $95 • 1 year transfer or new w/o title (vessel 26ft or greater documented with the USCG) = $55 • 3 year transfer or new w/o title (vessel 26ft or greater documented with the USCG) = $155
How much does it cost to get a duplicate boat registration in North Carolina?: A duplicate boat registration in North Carolina costs $8
How much does it cost to get a duplicate boat decal in North Carolina?: A duplicate boat decal in North Carolina costs $8 and comes with a duplicate registration
How much does it cost to transfer a boat registration in North Carolina?: Transfering a boat registration in North Carolina is included with the title transfer fee
Does North Carolina title boats?: Boats are titled in North Carolina
Where do you title your boat in North Carolina?: In North Carolina, boats are titled through the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commision
What boats are required to be titled in North Carolina?: Any motorized vessel 14ft or greater and personal watercraft are required to be titled in North Carolina
What boats do not require a title in North Carolina?: The following boats are not required to be titled in North Carolina: any vessel not considered a personal watercraft under 14ft in length and USCG documented vessels
How much does it cost to title a boat in North Carolina?: The following fees apply to boat titling in North Carolina: • 1 year transfer or new w/ title less than 26 ft = $70 • 3 year transfer or new w/ title less than 26ft = $130 • 1 year transfer or new w/ title 26 ft or greater = $90 • 3 year transfer or new w/ title 26 ft or greater = $190 • 1 year transfer or new w/o title (vessels less than 14 ft except personal watercraft) = $35 • 3 year transfer or new w/o title (vessels less than 14 ft except personal watercraft) = $95 • 1 year transfer or new w/o title (vessel 26ft or greater documented with the USCG) = $55 • 3 year transfer or new w/o title (vessel 26ft or greater documented with the USCG) = $155 • Add a title to a vessel = $35 • Duplicate title = $35 • Duplicate registration = $8 • Record Lien on active title = $15 • Record Lien/add/activate title = $35
How much does it cost to get a duplicate boat title in North Carolina?: A duplicate boat title in North Carolina costs $15
How much does it cost to transfer a boat title in North Carolina?: Transferring a boat title in North Carolina will cost you the following: • 1 year transfer or new w/ title less than 26 ft = $70 • 3 year transfer or new w/ title less than 26ft = $130 • 1 year transfer or new w/ title 26 ft or greater = $90 • 3 year transfer or new w/ title 26 ft or greater = $190 • 1 year transfer or new w/o title (vessels less than 14 ft except personal watercraft) = $35 • 3 year transfer or new w/o title (vessels less than 14 ft except personal watercraft) = $95 • 1 year transfer or new w/o title (vessel 26ft or greater documented with the USCG) = $55 • 3 year transfer or new w/o title (vessel 26ft or greater documented with the USCG) = $155
How much does it cost to record a lien on a boat in North Carolina?: Recording a lien in North Carolina will cost you $15
Does North Carolina issue e-titles for boats?: North Carolina does not issue e-titles for boats.
Does North Carolina require boat inspections?: North Carolina does not require an inspection to register a boat.
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