24.090 Nonresident Vessels (VC §§9854, 9873; CRTC §6248)

California vessel registration is required within 120 days of the date of entry into California if the state of principal use changes from another state to California. Penalties are due if the registration is applied for after 120 days has passed from date of entry. Use tax is due on vessels brought into California within 12 months of the purchase date. Refer to Chapter 4 for use tax information.

A California-registered vessel that is registered in another state and returns, is issued a new CF number upon reregistration in California. If available, attach the old California title to the application. Fees are due prior to first use in California.

Title State Requirements (VC §9852)—The following must be submitted:

• A completed BOAT 101.
• Proof of ownership. Nontransferable (Goldenrod) registration cannot be issued for vessels: vessels must be titled. The following are acceptable as proof of vessel ownership:
  • The out-of-state title in the applicant’s name or properly endorsed for transfer and signed by the applicant. A bill of sale is acceptable in lieu of the seller’s signature on the title. (Refer to the Lost Out-of-State Title section, if applicable.)
  • The original or certified copy of a conditional sales contract or security interest showing the purchaser and lienholder names, marked “paid”, and countersigned.
• Bills of sale needed to complete the chain of ownership.
• The original registration and Quagga/Zebra Mussel fees.

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

The procedures below must be followed:

• Do not ask an applicant who submits an Arizona Certificate of Number for a letter verifying surrender of the title. Evidence of ownership is the Arizona Certificate of Number. Arizona will not provide a letter.
• Issue the CF number and stickers.
• Give the applicant an ABCs of California Boating (BOAT 3) booklet.
• Advise them to affix the CF number shown on the receipt to the vessel as shown in the BOAT 3.

The U.S. Soldiers and Sailors Relief Act does not apply to vessels. Vessels cannot be registered as “nonresident military” (NRM).

• 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.
• Process as clearing unless a lienholder holds the title, then send the application to the appropriate Registration Processing Unit (RPU) in DMV headquarters. The RPU will write for the title.

Lost Out-of-State Title—In addition to the items shown above, the following must be submitted:

• A Statement of Facts REG 256 completed by the applicant which certifies that the original title is lost, and states the name of the person from whom the vessel was acquired, value of the vessel, and there are no liens or encumbrances against the vessel.
• A bond if the vessel value is $2,000 or more. Refer to Chapter 23 for bond requirements.
• The last issued certificate of number or a letter verifying the registration information from the state that last registered the vessel.

The procedures below must be followed:

• Do not ask for a letter verifying surrender of title if an Arizona Certificate of Number is submitted. Evidence of ownership is the Arizona Certificate of Number: Arizona will not provide a letter.

Nontitle State Requirements (VC §9852)—The following must be submitted:

• A completed BOAT 101. The Statement of Applicant section must be completed.
• The out-of-state certificate of number (vessel registration card).
• If the applicant is not the owner shown on the certificate of number, a bill of sale or the Certificate of Sale (on the BOAT 101) completed by the owner of record to the applicant.
• If a certificate of number has never been issued, one of the following forms of evidence of ownership:
  • A bill of sale or dealer invoice that shows no lien and is marked “paid in full.”
  • The original or certified copy of a Conditional Sales Contract that shows the same legal owner indicated on the application or is stamped or marked “paid” and countersigned. A Lien Satisfied/Legal Owner/Title Holder Release (REG 166) form is required if a legal owner is indicated on the Conditional Sales Contract and is not shown on the BOAT 101.
  • An out-of-state title or a letter verifying surrender of the title from another state. A letter is not needed if the applicant explains the surrender of the title on a REG 256 required below.
• A REG 256 from the owner stating the vessel is free of all liens other than shown on the application.

A bond may be required if the applicant cannot furnish any of the above and the vessel is valued at $2,000 or more. Refer to Chapter 23 for bond requirements.

• The original registration, any use tax due, and Quagga/Zebra Mussel fees. Refer to Appendix 1F for vessel fees and Quagga/Zebra Mussel Fee section in this chapter for additional/exemption information.
• Do not ask an applicant who submits an Arizona Certificate of Number to contact Arizona for a letter verifying surrender of title. Evidence of ownership is the Arizona Certificate of Number: Arizona does not provide a letter.
• 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 companion brochure. Advise the applicant to affix the stickers as explained in the BOAT 3.

Vessels Imported from a Foreign Country (Other Than Dealer Imports) for an Individual’s use—The following must be submitted:

• A completed BOAT 101.
• Foreign documents which describe the vessel and are in the name of the applicant. This may be a bill of sale to the applicant or a bill of lading.
• The U.S. Customs receipt in the applicant’s name verifying the vessel cleared customs.
• The original registration fee, any use tax due, and Quagga/Zebra Mussel fees. Refer to Appendix 1F for vessel fees and Quagga/Zebra Mussel Fee section in this chapter for additional/exemption information.
• A bond may be required if the applicant cannot furnish any of the above. Refer to Chapter 16 for bond requirements.

The procedures below must be followed:

• 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 companion brochure. Advise the applicant to affix the stickers as explained the BOAT 3.

Incomplete Applications—The procedures below must be followed:

• Never issue a CF number, sticker, or temporary operating permit on an incomplete application for original registration.
• Return the application to the applicant. Issue a receipt only if fees are submitted.
• Advise the applicant that the application is incomplete and the vessel cannot be berthed or used in the waters of this state until the application is completed, and the vessel is issued a CF number and stickers.

Nonresident Vessel Registration Agencies—Refer to Out-of-State Vessel Registration/Titling Agencies.

Use Tax—Refer to Chapter 4.

Vessel Bond Requirements—Refer to Chapter 23.

Vessel Fees—Refer to Appendix 1F.