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Effective Jan. 1, 2008 the fees to register a vessel in North Carolina will increase to $15 for a one-year registration and $40 for a three-year registration. The new fees will apply to new and transfer registrations, as well as renewals on existing registrations.

The North Carolina Wildlife Commission offers a host of services to vessel owners to promote safety, establish ownership, and ultimately support the public's enjoyment of water sports and recreation.


Anyone who purchases or transfers a motorized vessel or sailboat 14 feet or longer or who owns a personal watercraft (jet ski), will be required to title the vessel effective Jan.1, 2007.

For information pertaining to vessel registration and titling, please click on a choice below.

Basic Facts on Vessel Registration How to purchase, sell, register and title vessels Forms and Applications

Vessels Purchased From Out of State ---You May Owe
"Use" Tax on Your Vessel

If your vessel was purchased from a dealer outside of North Carolina who is not required to collect N.C. tax, you may owe use tax on your vessel. It is the vessel owner's responsibility to remit any applicable amount of use tax due on the purchase of a vessel from another state. Contact the Department of Revenue at 1-877-252-3052, visit www.dornc.com or click here for more information.