Vehicle Industry Registration Procedures Manual

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Section 25 of 38

Chapter 24: Vessels

24.105 Original Vessel Registrations

Chapter 24 Vessels

24.105 Original Vessel Registrations (CVC §9852)

California must be the state of principal use shown on an application for California vessel registration. Do not accept an application if California is not the state of principal use or if the vessel is located out of state (Federal Title 33 §173.33.c).

The following must be submitted:

  • A completed BOAT 101 the Certificate of Sale section must be completed if the seller is a dealer or builder/manufacturer, or when used as a bill of sale to establish the chain of ownership.
  • The manufacturer’s certificate of origin, original factory invoice, or original or certified copy of the sales agreement in the same name(s) as shown on the BOAT 101, marked “PAID,” and countersigned.
  • The original registration and Quagga/Zebra Mussel fees. The fee must be paid upon purchase, prior to operation on the waters of this state.

Refer to Quagga/Zebra Mussel Fee section in this chapter for additional/exemption information.

A REG 166 is required if a legal owner/lienholder is shown on the sales agreement, but not on the BOAT 101.

A bond may be required if proof of ownership cannot be provided.

The procedures below must be followed:

  • Refer to Hull Idnetification Numbers (HINs) section in this chapter if assignment of a HIN is necessary.
  • Determine whether tax is due using the following chart:
If the Dealer/ManufacturerYou Must
Does not have a BE Permit numberCollect the use tax due
Enters the BE Permit number on the BOAT 101Not collect use tax.
• Collect a Vessel Dealer or Manufacturer’s Sale Tax Certification (BOAT 110) and place is as the last document in the application.

If an applicant claims use tax was paid to the dealer/manufacturer, obtain a REG 256 and place it as the last document in the application.

  • Issue the CF number and stickers.
  • Give the applicant a BOAT 3 booklet.
  • Advise them to affix the CF number shown on the receipt to the vessel as shown in the BOAT 3.
  • 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.

Homemade Vessels (CVC §9852)—The following must be submitted:

  • A completed BOAT 101 the Statement of Applicant section must be completed.
If the Applicant IsThen
The builder• Receipts for the vessel construction materials must be presented.
NOTE: A bill of sale showing “paid in full” is required for any individual component part costing $2,000 or more.
Not the builderAny bills of sale needed to establish a complete chain of ownership must be submitted with the BOAT 101.

A bond may be required if receipts or bills of sale for all component parts are not available. Refer to Chapter 23 for bond requirements.

The original registration and Quagga/Zebra Mussel fees. Use tax is due if the vessel was acquired from other than the builder. Refer to Appendix 1F for vessel fees.

The procedures below must be followed:

  • Run an adding machine tape total on any vessel construction material receipts submitted, initial, and attach it to the BOAT 101.
  • Return the receipts to the applicant.
  • Issue the CF number and stickers.
  • Give the applicant a BOAT 3 booklet.
  • Advise them to affix the CF number shown on the receipt must be affixed to the the vessel as described in the BOAT 3.
  • For motorized vessels, issue one set of Vessel Carbon Monoxide Warning Stickers and companion brochure. Advise the applicant to affix the stickers as explained in the BOAT 3.

Incomplete Applications—The procedures below must be followed:

  • Never issue a CF number, sticker, or temporary operating permit on an incomplete original vessel registration application.
  • Return the application to the customer.
  • Advise the applicant that vessel cannot be berthed or used in the waters of this state until the application is complete and the vessel is issued a CF number and stickers.

Commercial Vessels—For a vessel over 30 feet in length, the following must be submitted:

  • A letter from the U.S. Coast Guard stating the vessel is not required to be documented.

The procedures below must be followed:

If “COMMERCIAL” is circled under “Use” on the BOAT 101: Assign a commercial pleasure CF number. “COMMERCIAL” will be printed on the certificates issued for the vessel.

Commercial Deep Sea Fishing Vessels—Refer to the Commercial Deep Sea Fishing Vessels section in this chapter.

Nonresident Military Personnel—Vessels cannot be registered as nonresident military (NRM). Refer to the Nonresident Vessel Registrations section in this chapter.

Vessel/Trailer Combination Sales—When only one document, such as a bill of sale, is submitted to establish ownership for a vessel and trailer combination, the procedures below must be followed:

  • Retain the document with the trailer application.
  • Record the trailer license plate number on the top document of the vessel application.
  • In the Proof of Ownership section on the back of the BOAT 101, write:
    • The name of document submitted, “OK,” and your initials.
    • The purchase price/market value of the vessel only and your initials.