24.155 Transfers (VC §§9900, 9907, and 9908)

The following must be submitted:

• The Certificate of Ownership properly endorsed for transfer as follows:

Line1—Release of interest by the registered owner. A bill of sale is acceptable in lieu of a signature on Line 1.

If the Vessel Is Registered to	The Following Is Required
Co-owners joined by “or” Co-owners joined by “and/or” (/or)	The signature of only one co-owner.
Co-owners joined by “and” (a slash“/”) Co-owners followed by “JTRS”	The signature of each co-owner.
A company, public agency, or business name Example: Smith Vessel Sales	The company, public agency, business name must appear and be countersigned or initialed by an authorized representative. Example: Smith Vessel Sales by J. Smith
An individual doing business as (DBA) Example: John Smith DBA Smith Vessel Sales	The signature of the individual. Example: John Smith or John Smith DBA Smith Vessel Sales

Line 2—Release of interest by the legal owner/lienholder of record, if any.

• Endorsement for a company name must include the company name and be countersigned or initialed of an authorized representative of the company.
• A Lien Satisfied/Legal Owner/Title Holder Release REG 166 is acceptable in lieu of the signature on Line 2.
• A release on Line 2 is not mandatory when the legal owner/lienholder remains the same for the new owner, but the name and address of the legal owner/lienholder must be reentered on the back of the ownership certificate.

Lines 3a–3b—Completed by the new owner(s) as follows:

• The printed true full name(s) for each owner.
• The “and” or “or” box checked, if registered to co-owners. If the box is not checked, the names will be joined by “and” on the new certificates.
• The purchase price and purchase date must be entered on the designated lines. If acquired as a gift, the current value and the date acquired must be entered.

The new vessel class and date of purchase is established based on this information.

Lines 7a–7c—The address (situs) where the vessel will principally be kept must be entered.

Line 8—The usual signature for each owner. Refer to Chapter 1 for acceptable signature variations.

Lines 9–11—The name and address of the legal owner/lienholder or the word “none.” This includes transfer of the registered owner when the legal owner/lienholder remains the same.

Entries on dealer or financial institution applications must be initialed by a representative of the dealer/financial institution. Do not return an application solely for missing initials.

Line 12 (for Vessel Agent Sales)—The agent’s signature and agent number must be entered and a Vessel Sales Tax Certification (BOAT 110) must be submitted with the application.

• Bills of sale as needed to establish a complete chain of ownership.
• The fees and use tax due. A transfer fee is not due for a vessel agent or broker.

The procedures below must be followed:

• Assign a new vessel class and date of purchase based on the buyer’s purchase price/current value and purchase/acquired date shown on the ownership certificate.

Vessel/Trailer Combinations—If the separate price/value is not known on a vessel/trailer combination purchase, collect $1 use tax on the trailer and the remaining use tax on the vessel.

• Write “LS” on line 2F if a REG 166 is submitted.
• Give the applicant the BOAT 3 booklet.
• For motorized vessels, issue one set of Vessel Carbon Monoxide Warning Stickers and the companion brochure.
• Advise the applicant to affix the stickers as explained in the BOAT 3.
• Not issue boat stickers on an incomplete application. Return incomplete applications to the applicant or vessel agent, if submitted by a vessel agent.

Involuntary Transfers (VC §9915)

An involuntary transfer occurs when the registered or legal owner’s interest passes to another without the owner’s voluntary release. Involuntary transfer requirements are generally the same for vehicles and vessels, except as shown in this section.

Attachment Sales—the following must be submitted:

• The original or a certified copy of the certificate of sale issued by the attaching officer describing the vessel by CF and HIN number, vessel type, and builder.

Bankruptcy Sales—The requirements are the same as shown in Chapter 11. Except; the following must be submitted. The appropriate BOAT forms.

For new vessels belonging to a bankrupt California vessel dealer, an invoice or an Application for Registration Number, Certificate of Ownership, and Certificate of Number for Undocumented Vessel (BOAT 101) accompanied by any bill(s) of sale needed to establish the chain of ownership.

Divorce and Quiet Title Judgments—the following must be submitted:

• The certified copy of the Judgment of Dissolution which includes a full description of the vessel and to whom it was awarded. If a full description is not shown, a Statement of Facts (REG 256) completed by the applicant stating the vessel specified is the only vessel awarded to them.
• The appropriate BOAT forms.

Foreclosures—The requirements are the same as shown in the Foreclosure or State Controller Sales, section in Chapter 11 except the following must be submitted:

• A vessel description with the required information.

A vessel verification is not required.

Repossessions—The following must be submitted:

• The endorsed Certificate of Ownership. A Certificate of Repossession (REG 119) form from the legal owner/repossessor.
• A bill of sale from the repossessor to the new owner.
• The fees due.

The procedures below must be followed:

• Write “REPO” on Line 1 in lieu of the registered owner’s signature(s).
• Give the applicant the ABCs of California Boating (BOAT 3) booklet.
• For motorized vessels, issue one set of Vessel Carbon Monoxide Warning Stickers and companion brochure. Advise the customer to affix the stickers as explained in the BOAT 3.

Legal Owner Transfers (VC §5603)

The requirements for recording vessel legal owner changes are the same as for vehicles. A REG 166 may be accepted in lieu of the legal owner’s release on the title. A transfer fee is due. Use tax is not due.

Multiple Transfers

A multiple transfer involves at least one unrecorded ownership change. The following must be submitted:

• Any bills of sale necessary to complete the chain of ownership to the current owner.
• The signature of the current owner on the back of the Certificate of Ownership.
• A Statement to Record Ownership (REG 101) or REG 256 in the current owner’s name. This may be completed by the new owner, legal owner, dealer, or authorized agent.
• A REG 166 if a previous buyer shows up.

If a signature appears in error in the New Legal Owner section, the person who signed in error must complete a Statement of Error or Erasure (REG 101).

• A transfer fee for each buyer. Only the current owner is subject to a transfer penalty. A transfer fee is not due from a vessel dealer unless the dealer is the registered owner.
• Use tax for the current owner only.

The procedures below must be followed:

• Print the names of all in-between buyers on the back of the Certificate of Ownership. Identify each buyer in the chain of ownership, by writing “I,” “II,” etc. next to the names.
• Never apply use tax posted by a former buyer to the fees due for the current owner.