A Certificate of Title is required on all boats 14 feet long or greater and all outboard motors 10 H.P. or greater.
A canoe or kayak is not Titled.
Before purchasing a boat or motor be sure the seller has the Certificate of Title.
The seller is also required to assign the Ohio Watercraft Registration card to you.
No registration is required for outboard motors.
Your titles will be issued to you by the Clerk of Courts in the County of your residence regardless of the location of the boat.
Do not accept a Title from the seller until he has his signature notarized and your name is shown as the buyer.
Do not execute the assignment on the reverse side of the Certificate of Title until a bonafide sale has been made. Make certain that the buyer’s full name and address is inserted before you sign the assignment. Initials are not acceptable.
You must have your signature notarized.
If you do not have a Title for your boat or motor and have owned the boat or motor prior to October 10, 1963, your Clerk of Courts may issue a Title to you based on your registration or sworn statement.
Federal Boating Acts require all boats manufactured after November 1972, to show a Hull Identification Number (serial number) of not less than 12 characters.
If you have a 1973 or newer model boat, compare the Hull Identification Number with the number on your Title. If they differ, make a pencil tracing of the number and present tracing and Title to your Clerk of Courts Auto Title Department for Title correction.
If there is no manufacturer’s serial number, or if the manufacturer’s serial number has been removed, a serial number must be affixed to the boat or motor before a Certificate of Title can be issued.
Application for a serial number is made to the Division of Watercraft. Forms may be obtained at your County Clerk’s Auto Title Department.
Documented vessels are not titled in Ohio, but are registered by the U.S. Coast Guard. To remove a boat from Documentation for titling purposes, contact the Title Department.
Watercraft less than 14 feet with a permanently affixed motor of 10 HP or more will require a Title effective January 1, 2000.
If the watercraft was owned prior to January 1, 2000, no Title is required until it is sold, a lien recorded, or otherwise disposed.