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Return to Vessels: Registration and Titling Information
Purchasing a New Vessel then Registering and Titling It from:
A. Wildlife Service Agent
Purchaser: Obtain a VL-1 form from the Agent. Complete the VL-1 form and submit to the Agent with the completed Manufacturer's Statement of Origin or the Dealer Bill of Sale. Specify whether you want only Registration, or Registration and Title. Pay Agent a $40 fee for Three-Year Registration or a $60 fee for Three-Year Registration plus Title. What Vessels Must be Titled?
Purchaser: The Agent will give you a temporary registration.
The registration card and decal are mailed
from the Raleigh Office after all paperwork has been received
from the Agent and verified for accuracy. Using paint or
manufactured
letters and numbers, affix the Registration Number to the port and
starboard bow, and affix the Registration Decal on the starboard bow
to the right
of the Registration Number.
Agent: Send the Dealer's Bill of Sale or the completed Manufacturer's
Statement of Origin, the VL-1 form, and the WRC transaction summary to
the Wildlife Commission.
Wildlife Commission: Will normally record the transaction within
fifteen business days. If a Title was requested, it will be mailed to
the Purchaser if there is no lien on the vessel, or to the first Lienholder
if there is a lien.
B. Wildlife Resources Commission by Mail
Purchaser: From the Dealer, obtain the completed Manufacturer's Statement of Origin and the Dealer Bill of Sale. Your Hull ID number should be shown on both of these documents.
Purchaser: Obtain a VL-1
form from the Wildlife Commission (call 1-800-628-3773) or a Wildlife
Service Agent. Complete the VL-1 form. Specify whether you want One-Year
or Three-Year Registration and whether you want to Title your vessel. What Vessels Must be Titled?
Purchaser: Write a check or money order for the appropriate fees,
which would range from $15 to $60. Enclose the Dealer's Bill of Sale
or the completed Manufacturer's Statement of Origin, the VL-1 form,
and the fee; mail to the North Carolina Wildlife Commission.
Wildlife Commission: Will normally respond within fifteen business
days. By return mail, will send the Registration Card and Decal to the Purchaser. If a Title was requested, it will be mailed to
the Purchaser if there is no lien on the vessel, or to the first Lienholder
if there is a lien. (Note: All incorrect or incomplete documentation
will be returned, and the request delayed.)
Purchaser: Using paint or manufactured letters and numbers,
affix the Registration Number to the port and starboard bow, and affix
the Registration Decal on the starboard bow to the right of the
Registration Number
Return to Vessels: Registration and Titling Information
Purchasing a Used Vessel then Registering and Titling It
STEP ONE: Obtaining a "Proof-of-Ownership" Document from the Seller
Purchasing
a Titled or Non-Titled Vessel from a Dealer
Purchaser: Obtain the Dealer Bill of Sale, with Hull ID recorded on
it. Ask the Dealer whether the Previous Owner had the vessel Titled. If so,
get the Title document.
Purchasing
a Titled Vessel from an Individual
Purchaser: If the Seller(s) have the vessel Titled, in North Carolina
or another state, they must sign the "Assignment of Title" section on the
original copy of the Title, naming you as Purchaser. In North Carolina and
most other states, the Seller's signature(s) must be notarized. If any lien
is listed on the Title Certificate, the "Release Section" must be signed and
notarized by the lender, showing the lien as released. The Seller(s) then
give the original Title document to you and it is your proof-of-ownership.
Purchasing
a Non-Titled Vessel from an Individual
Purchaser: If the Seller(s) have the vessel Registered in North Carolina
or another state, but not Titled, a notarized Bill of Sale is proof-of-ownership.
A Bill of Sale can be typed or handwritten on plain paper. It must include
the Registration Number, the Hull ID Number, and a vessel description. It must also include the name of the Seller(s) and Purchaser(s), and must include notarization of the Seller's signature(s). Click here for
an Example Bill of Sale.
STEP TWO: Applying for Registration/Title Using One of the Following Options:
Option 1: Applying at a Wildlife Service Agent
Purchaser: Obtain a VL-1 form from the Agent. Complete the VL-1 form and submit to the Agent with the appropriate proof-of-ownership document (Title, Dealer Bill of Sale, or Bill of Sale). Specify whether you want only Registration, or Registration and Title. Pay Agent the appropriate fee (from $40 to $60). What Vessels Must be Titled?
Purchaser: The Agent will give you a temporary registration.
The temporary registration can be used to
operate the vessel until the registration card and decal are mailed
from the Raleigh Office after all paperwork has been received from
the Agent and verified for accuracy. This applies to renewals, duplicates,
new registrations and transfer registrations. If the customer has not received their Registration Card and Decal by the expiration date listed on the temporary registration, the customer should contact the Wildlife Commission immediately at 1-800-628-3773.
Purchaser: If the vessel was previously registered in North Carolina, the Registration
Number should already be displayed on the port and starboard bow. Affix
your new Registration Decal on the starboard bow, to the right of
the Registration Number.
Purchaser: If the vessel was previously registered outside North Carolina, remove
the out-of-state Registration Number from the vessel. Using paint or
manufactured letters and numbers, affix the North Carolina Registration
Number to the port and starboard bow. Affix
the Registration Decal on the starboard bow to the right of the
Registration Number.
Agent: Send the proof-of-ownership document, the VL-1 form, any previous Title,
and the Point-of-Sale receipt to the Wildlife Commission.
Wildlife
Commission: Will normally record the transaction within fifteen
business days. If a Title was requested, it will be mailed to the Purchaser
if there is no lien on the vessel, or to the first Lienholder if there
is a lien. (Note: All incorrect or incomplete documentation will be
returned, and the request delayed.)
Option 2: Applying at the Wildlife Resources Commission by Mail
Purchaser: Obtain a VL-1 form from the Wildlife Commission by calling 1-800-628-3773 or a Wildlife Service Agent. Complete the VL-1 form. Specify whether you want One-Year or Three-Year Registration and whether you want to Title your vessel. What Vessels Must be Titled?
Purchaser: Write
a check or money order for $15 to $60 in fees, depending on the services
requested. Enclose the appropriate proof-of-ownership document (Title,
Dealer Bill of Sale, or Bill of Sale), the VL-1 form, any previous Title, and the fees; mail to the North Carolina Wildlife Commission.
Wildlife
Commission: Will normally respond within fifteen business days.
By return mail, will send the Registration Card and Decal to the Purchaser. If a Title was requested, it will be mailed to
the Purchaser if there is no lien on the vessel, or to the first Lienholder
if there is a lien. (Note: All incorrect or incomplete documentation
will be returned, and the request delayed.)
Purchaser: If the vessel was previously registered in North Carolina, the Registration
Number should already be displayed on the port and starboard bow. Affix
your new Registration Decal to the starboard bow, to the right of
the Registration Number.
Purchaser: If the vessel was previously registered outside North Carolina, remove
the out-of-state Registration Number from the vessel. Using paint or
manufactured letters and numbers, affix the North Carolina Registration
Number to the port and starboard bow. Affix
the Registration Decal to the starboard bow to the right of the
Registration Number.
Return to Vessels: Registration and Titling Information
Renewal of Vessel Registration
Wildlife Commission: Approximately 60 days before the expiration of your one-year or three-year term of registration, the Wildlife Commission will print a Renewal Notification form. This will be mailed to the first owner listed on the registration at the latest address on file.
Upon receipt of the Renewal Notification, you may renew using any one of the four methods listed below.
Vessel Owner: To renew by mail, complete the Renewal Notification form, enclose a check or money order, and mail back to the Wildlife Commission. With this method, you can update your name or address and have a choice of one-year or three-year renewals. Your new Registration Card and Decal will be mailed from the Wildlife Resources Commission office within fifteen business days.
Vessel Owner: To renew in person, visit the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission office at 1751 Varsity Drive, NCSU Centennial Campus, Raleigh, NC 27606-2576 (see map - pdf), during normal business hours.
Vessel Owner: If you desire a three-year renewal, a Wildlife Service Agent can provide it. The Agent can update your address and give you a temporary registration. The temporary registration can be used to operate the vessel until the registration card and decal is received. The transaction will normally be processed and the Registration Card and Decal mailed to you within two business days.
Vessel Owner: Renew online using your renewal number from the Notification Form.
Return to Vessels: Registration and Titling Information
Replacing Registration Cards and Decals
If your Registration Card or Decal has been lost or destroyed, follow one of these procedures to obtain a duplicate.
A. Applying for Duplicate Registration by Mail to the Wildlife Commission
Vessel Owner: Obtain a VL-1 form from the Wildlife
Resources Commission by calling 1-800-628-3773.
Vessel Owner: Complete the VL-1 form, including names, current addresses,
and signatures of all owners, the Registration Number, and Hull ID number.
Notarization of signatures is not required. Enclose a check or money order
for the $5 "Duplicate Registration" fee, and mail to the Wildlife Commission.
Wildlife Commission: Will record any address changes and print a "duplicate"
Registration Card and Decal. The transaction will normally be processed and
mailed to you within fifteen business days. (Note: All incorrect or incomplete
documentation will be returned, and the request delayed.)
Vessel Owner: Retain and use the new Registration Card. Affix
the duplicate Registration Decal on the starboard bow to the right of
the Registration Number.
B. Applying for Duplicate Registration at a Wildlife Service Agent
Vessel
Owner: At a Wildlife Service Agent, request a "Duplicate Registration".
The Agent will ask you for personal identification, and then will connect
to the Wildlife Commission database to confirm your ownership, charge you
a $5 fee; and issue a 15-day Temporary Registration to you.
Wildlife Commission: Will receive the electronic record from the Agent,
will record any address change, and will print a "duplicate" Registration
Card and Decal. The transaction will normally be processed and mailed to you
within two business days.
Vessel Owner: Retain and use the new Registration Card. Affix
the duplicate Registration Decal on the starboard bow to the right of
the Registration Number.
C. Applying for Duplicate Registration at the Raleigh Office of NCWRC
Vessel
Owner: To obtain a duplicate registration in person, visit the North
Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission office at 1751 Varsity Drive, NCSU
Centennial Campus, Raleigh, NC 27606-2576 (see
map - pdf), during
normal business hours.
Return to Vessels: Registration and Titling Information
Dealing with Lost Title Certificates
A. Title
Lost by Lending Institution
If one or more liens are shown on an application for a Title Certificate,
the Wildlife Commission prints the Title Certificate and mails it to the "first
lienholder". This lienholder keeps the Title until their secured loan is paid
off. Then, within 10 days, the first lienholder must surrender the Title Certificate
by mailing it to the vessel owner, or to the second lienholder if one exists.
Lenders sometimes misplace the Title Certificate or fail to send it to the
vessel owner on time. If you do not receive the Title within 10 days after
paying off your vessel loan, contact your lender. They are responsible for
requesting a replacement Title Certificate if they have lost the original.
B. Title Lost by the Vessel Owner
If you have lost the Title Certificate, follow this procedure to obtain a
replacement:
- Vessel Owner: Obtain a VL-1 form from the Wildlife Commission by calling 1-800-628-3773.
- Vessel Owner: Complete the VL-1 form, including names, addresses, and signatures of all owners, and the Registration Number, Hull ID, and description of the vessel. Enclose a $10 check or money order for the "Duplicate Title" fee, and mail to the Wildlife Commission.
- Wildlife Commission: Will normally respond within fifteen business days. By return mail, will send the replacement Title Certificate to you if there are no lienholders. Title will be mailed to the "first lienholder" if there is one. (Note: All incorrect or incomplete documentation will be returned, and the request delayed.)
C. Selling a Titled Vessel When You Have Lost the Title
Vessel Owner: Before you can sell a titled vessel, you must have
1) Paid off the loans held by any lienholders against your vessel; and 2)
Ensured that the lender(s) have released their liens against your vessel,
and sent documentation of such to the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission.
You can telephone the Commission at 1-800-628-3773 to check the status of
your vessel records.
Vessel Owner: If you
are selling the vessel to an out-of-state owner, you will have to apply for,
and receive, a replacement North Carolina Title Certificate before you can
begin the transaction. Follow the procedure in Section B above.
Vessel Owner: If you are selling the vessel to someone who will register
and title it within North Carolina, the Wildlife Commission can process the
sale even though the Title Certificate has been lost. Have all current owners
of the vessel complete a Statement
of Lost Title and a Bill of Sale.
Get both documents notarized and turn them over to the Purchaser. If there
is a lien on the vessel, obtain lien release statement(s) from the lender(s)
and turn these over to the Purchaser. The Wildlife Resources Commission will
then be able to process the transaction. To obtain information on necessary
procedures, telephone the Wildlife Commission at 1-800-628-3773.
Return to Vessels: Registration and Titling Information
Updating Address or Name Information on Your Vessel Registration/Title
The Wildlife Commission must maintain contact with vessel owners by mail. To keep records current, vessel owners who move from the address shown on their Registration Card or Title Certificate are required to notify the Wildlife Commission in writing of address changes. This requirement applies to all owners of the vessel. The procedures are as follows:
A. Updating Address for Vessel Registration
- Address change requests must be submitted in writing and must have the signature of the owner(s) requesting the change within 30 days.
- Upon receipt, the Commission will update the database and NCWRC will mail a duplicate registration card upon request for a fee of $5 (make check or money order payable to NCWRC).
B. Updating Address for Vessel Title
- Address change requests must be submitted in writing and must have the signature of the owner(s) requesting the change within 30 days.
- Upon receipt, the Commission will update the database. No replacement title will be mailed. The original title remains a valid legal document even if it shows a past address.
C. Updating Name Information for Vessel Registration or Title
- Name change requests must be submitted in writing and must have the signature of the owner requesting the change. This request must be submitted along with documentation to prove the customer's legal name change.
- Upon receipt, the Commission will update the database and mail the owner a new Registration Card and Decal upon request for a fee of $5 (make check or money order payable to NCWRC).
- Name Change requests for titled vessels must include the original North Carolina vessel title. There is a fee of $10 necessary to process a replacement title (make check or money order payable to NCWRC).
Example Change of Address Form. You may also request this form from WRC by calling 1-800-628-3773, or simply write the information shown on a plain piece of paper and mail it to North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, Transaction Management, 1709 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-1709. The changes must be received in writing with the owner's signature(s) included. Notarization is not required.
Return to Vessels: Registration and Titling Information
Updating Lien Information on Your Title Certificate
Most of this activity is performed by lenders. It is described here to assist vessel owners in understanding the process. These procedures only apply when your vessel is titled.
A. Obtaining a Loan When You Currently Own the Vessel Free and Clear
- The Title Certificate should be in your possession because you own the vessel free and clear of liens.
- The Title Certificate might show a previous lien but the "release section" should be signed and notarized by the previous lender, showing the lien as released.
- Take the Title to your proposed lender at the time you apply for the loan. The old Title, a $10 fee, and a completed VL-1 form must be submitted to the Wildlife Commission so that an updated Title, showing the new lien, can be issued. The new Title will be mailed to your lender and will remain in their possession until the loan is paid off.
B. Applying to Your Current Lender for an Additional Loan
- The current Title to your vessel should already be in the lender's possession.
- As part of the application process, the vessel owner must sign a VL-1 form (supplied by the lender) to authorize a new lien to be filed against the vessel.
- The lender will sign and notarize the current Title, releasing the old lien. They will send the old Title, a $10 fee, and VL-1 form to the Wildlife Resources Commission.
- The Wildlife Commission will release the old lien and issue a new Title which shows only the new lien. The new Title will be mailed to your lender and will remain in their possession until the loan is paid off.
C. Applying for an Additional Loan from a Second Lender
- The second lender will ask the vessel owner to sign a VL-1 form and pay a $10 fee, authorizing a "second lien" to be filed against the vessel. ·
- The second lender will file the VL-1 form with the Wildlife Commission. In order to record the second lien on the Title, the second lender should obtain the current Title from the first lender. The Wildlife Commission will then issue a new Title showing both liens, and will mail it to the first lender.
- If the first loan is paid off first, the first lender will sign and notarize the "lien release" section and mail the Title to the second lender. The second lender will hold the Title until the second loan is paid off. Then the second lender will sign and notarize a release statement for the second lien and send the Title to the vessel owner.
- If the second loan is paid off first, the second lender will likely issue a "lien release letter" and send it to the vessel owner, with a copy to the Wildlife Commission. The vessel owner should carefully preserve the letter. At a later date, the first lender will sign and notarize the Title to show the release of the first lien, and will mail the Title Certificate to the second lender. Since the second lender has already released their lien, they should forward the Title Certificate on to the vessel owner.
- Upon paying off each
loan, the vessel owner should act promptly if the lender fails to send
appropriate lien release documentation within 10 days. This will avoid
many problems in later years, as the vessel cannot be sold without the
documented release of all liens. If additional information is needed,
call the Wildlife Commission at 1-800-628-3773.
Return to Vessels: Registration and Titling Information
Purchasing a Used Vessel that is U.S. Coast Guard Documented
A vessel can be simultaneously Registered with North Carolina and Documented with the U.S. Coast Guard, but it cannot be simultaneously Titled in North Carolina and Documented with the U.S. Coast Guard.
A vessel used only for recreational purposes, which does not carry passengers or cargo for hire, can legally be operated in international waters or to foreign ports without U.S. Coast Guard Documentation, although this may not be advisable. The Documentation Section of the U.S Coast Guard, Washington, D.C., may be contacted at 1-800-799-8362 for further information.
If you acquire a vessel that has been Documented with the U.S. Coast Guard and you desire to title it in North Carolina, you can "Un-document" it by submitting a "deletion letter" to the Coast Guard. For more information, contact the Coast Guard at 1-800-799-8362.
Return to Vessels: Registration and Titling Information
Taking Ownership of an Abandoned Vessel
Definition: “Abandoned vessel" means a vessel that has been relinquished, left, or given up by the lawful owner without the intention to later resume any right or interest in the vessel. The term does not include a vessel that is left by an owner or agent of the owner with any person or business for the purpose of storage, maintenance, or repair and that is not subsequently reclaimed.
A person finding an abandoned vessel can become the registered and titled owner of the vessel, provided that the previous owner(s) cannot be located and that they have not reported the vessel missing or stolen.
The finder of an abandoned vessel should call (1-800-628-3773) or write to the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission, Transaction Management, 1709 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC, 27699-1709 to request a “Vessel Owner Information Request Form.” This form must be submitted prior to WRC releasing vessel owner information. Once the applicant has obtained the last registered owner information, that individual must perform the following steps:
- prove he/she has made all effort to contact the last registered owner(s) to indicate they have relinquished, left, or given up any right or interest they have in the vessel;
-
send a Certified Letter, return receipt requested, to the last registered owner(s) to demonstrate to WRC that this letter was not deliverable or the last registered owner(s) would not respond;
-
provide WRC with a written police report stating that the abandoned vessel has not been reported missing or stolen in the area where it was found;
-
send a notarized statement to the WRC summarizing when and where the vessel was found; the attempts to locate the owner; the available evidence that the vessel is abandoned; and statements from any other persons knowledgeable about the history of the vessel;
-
complete a VL-1 form to request registration and/or a title and mail it, along with the above listed documentation, and fee to the address shown on the form.
WRC will consider the evidence presented and will consult all available records. If WRC deems the vessel has been abandoned, WRC will register and/or title the vessel into the ownership of the applicant.
For more information regarding abandoned vessels, call 1-800-628-3773.
Return to Vessels: Registration and Titling Information
Registering a homemade vessel
Proof of ownership is not required of an applicant when the vessel has been built by the applicant. However, if a vessel is homemade and it is sold, the buyer must present a notarized bill of sale from the seller when applying for a vessel registration. The homemade vessel will be assigned a HIN at the time of registration.
Note: Homemade vessels can only be registered via mail or in person through our office. Wildlife Service Agents do not offer this service.
New Registration Requirements for Homemade Vessel:
-
Completed VL-1 form (If this is serving as their proof of ownership it must be notarized.)
-
Notarized Statement if VL-1 form is not notarized
-
Fees
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How to sell a vessel
The seller of a vessel must provide the purchaser with a "proof of ownership" document at the time of sale. The purchaser cannot get a vessel registered in his/her name without submitting the proper "proof of ownership" documentation.
New Vessel
- If the seller is the manufacturer of the vessel, the purchaser should receive a completed "Manufacturer's Statement of Origin".
- If the seller is a vessel dealer, the purchaser should receive a "Manufacturer's Statement of Origin" and/or a "Dealer's Bill of Sale" with the vessel's Hull Number on it.
Previously Owned Vessel
- If the seller is a vessel dealer, the purchaser should receive a "Dealer's Bill of Sale" with the vessel's hull number on it. If the previous owner had the vessel titled—in NC or another state—the Title Document or information that would allow the purchaser to obtain the Title Document should be provided to the purchaser.
- If the seller is an individual, and if the vessel is titled in North Carolina or another state, the purchaser should receive the title and/or a "Title Certificate" with the "Assignment Of Title" section completed and notarized by the seller. If a lien is listed on the "Title Certificate", the "Release Section" must be signed and notarized by the lender showing the "Lien As Released". The seller can then give the purchaser the Original Title Document as proof-of-ownership.
- If the seller is an individual and the vessel is registered in North Carolina or another state, but not titled, a notarized "Bill Of Sale" is proof-of-ownership. A "Bill-Of-Sale" can be typed or handwritten on plain paper. It must include the registration number, the hull ID number, and a vessel description. It must also include the name of the seller(s) and purchaser(s), and must include notarization of the seller's signature(s).
Return to Vessels: Registration and Titling Information