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Purchasing a New Vessel then Registering and Titling It from:
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A. Wildlife Service Agent Purchaser:
Obtain a VL-1
form from the Agent. Complete the VL-1 form and submit
to the Agent with the completed Manufacturer's Statement of
Origin or the
Dealer Bill of Sale. Specify whether you want only Registration, or
Registration and Title. Pay Agent a $40 fee for Three-Year Registration
or a $60 fee for Three-Year Registration plus Title. |
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B. Wildlife Resources Commission by Mail Purchaser:
From the Dealer, obtain the completed Manufacturer's Statement of Origin
and the Dealer Bill of Sale. Your Hull ID number should be shown on
both of these documents. |
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Purchasing a Used Vessel then Registering and Titling It
STEP ONE: Obtaining a "Proof-of-Ownership" Document from the Seller
Purchasing
a Titled or Non-Titled Vessel from a Dealer
Purchaser: Obtain the Dealer Bill of Sale, with Hull ID recorded on
it. Ask the Dealer whether the Previous Owner had the vessel Titled. If so,
get the Title document.
Purchasing
a Titled Vessel from an Individual
Purchaser: If the Seller(s) have the vessel Titled, in North Carolina
or another state, they must sign the "Assignment of Title" section on the
original copy of the Title, naming you as Purchaser. In North Carolina and
most other states, the Seller's signature(s) must be notarized. If any lien
is listed on the Title Certificate, the "Release Section" must be signed and
notarized by the lender, showing the lien as released. The Seller(s) then
give the original Title document to you and it is your proof-of-ownership.
Purchasing
a Non-Titled Vessel from an Individual
Purchaser: If the Seller(s) have the vessel Registered in North Carolina
or other state, but not Titled, a notarized Bill of Sale is proof-of-ownership.
A Bill of Sale can be typed or handwritten on plain paper. It must include
the Registration Number, the Hull ID Number, and a vessel description as shown
in Appendix B. It lists the name and address of the Seller(s) and Purchaser(s),
and must include notarization of the Seller's signature(s). Click here for
an Example Bill of Sale.
STEP TWO: Applying for Registration/Title Using One of the Following Options:
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Option 1: Applying at a Wildlife Service Agent Purchaser:
Obtain a VL-1 form from the
Agent. Complete the VL-1 form and submit to the Agent with the appropriate
proof-of-ownership document (Title, Dealer Bill of Sale, or Bill of
Sale). Specify whether you want only Registration, or Registration and
Title. Pay Agent the appropriate fee (from $40 to $60). |
Option 2: Applying at the Wildlife Resources Commission by Mail Purchaser:
Obtain a VL-1 form from the
Wildlife Commission by calling 1-800-628-3773 or a Wildlife Service
Agent. Complete the VL-1 form. Specify whether you want One-Year or
Three-Year Registration and whether you want to Title your vessel. |
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Renewal of Vessel Registration
Wildlife Commission: Approximately 60 days before the expiration of your one-year or three-year term of registration, the Wildlife Commission will print a Renewal Notification form. This will be mailed to the first owner listed on the registration at the latest address on file.
Upon receipt of the Renewal Notification, you may renew using any one of the four methods listed below.
Vessel Owner: To renew by mail, complete the Renewal Notification form, enclose a check or money order, and mail back to the Wildlife Commission. With this method, you can update your name or address and have a choice of one-year or three-year renewals. Your new Registration Card and Decal will be mailed from the Wildlife Resources Commission office within fifteen business days.
Vessel Owner: To renew in person, visit the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission office at 1751 Varsity Drive, NCSU Centennial Campus, Raleigh, NC 27606-2576 (see map - pdf), during normal business hours.
Vessel Owner: If you desire a three-year renewal, a Wildlife Service Agent can provide it. The Agent can update your address and give you a temporary registration. The temporary registration can be used to operate the vessel until the registration card and decal are mailed from the Raleigh Office after all paperwork has been received from the Agent and verified for accuracy. This applies to renewals, duplicates, new registrations and transfer registrations.
Vessel Owner: Renew online using your renewal number from the Notification Form.
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Replacing Registration Cards and Decals
If your Registration Card or Decal has been lost or destroyed, follow one of these procedures to obtain a duplicate.
A.
Applying for Duplicate Registration by Mail to the Wildlife Commission
Vessel Owner:
Obtain a VL-1 form from the Wildlife
Resources Commission by calling 1-800-628-3773.
Vessel Owner: Complete the VL-1 form, including names, current addresses,
and signatures of all owners, the Registration Number, and Hull ID number.
Notarization of signatures is not required. Enclose a check or money order
for the $5 "Duplicate Registration" fee, and mail to the Wildlife Commission.
Wildlife Commission: Will record any address changes and print a "duplicate"
Registration Card and Decal. The transaction will normally be processed and
mailed to you within fifteen business days. (Note: All incorrect or incomplete
documentation will be returned, and the request delayed.)
Vessel Owner: Retain and use the new Registration Card. Affix
the duplicate Registration Decal on the starboard bow to the right of
the Registration Number.
B.
Applying for Duplicate Registration at a Wildlife Service Agent
Vessel
Owner: At a Wildlife Service Agent, request a "Duplicate Registration".
The Agent will ask you for personal identification, and then will connect
to the Wildlife Commission database to confirm your ownership, charge you
a $5 fee; and issue a 15-day Temporary Registration to you.
Wildlife Commission: Will receive the electronic record from the Agent,
will record any address change, and will print a "duplicate" Registration
Card and Decal. The transaction will normally be processed and mailed to you
within two business days.
Vessel Owner: Retain and use the new Registration Card. Affix
the duplicate Registration Decal on the starboard bow to the right of
the Registration Number.
C.
Applying for Duplicate Registration at the Raleigh Office of NCWRC
Vessel
Owner: To obtain a duplicate registration in person, visit the North
Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission office at 1751 Varsity Drive, NCSU
Centennial Campus, Raleigh, NC 27606-2576 (see
map - pdf), during
normal business hours.
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Dealing with Lost Title Certificates
A. Title
Lost by Lending Institution
If one or more liens are shown on an application for a Title Certificate,
the Wildlife Commission prints the Title Certificate and mails it to the "first
lienholder". This lienholder keeps the Title until their secured loan is paid
off. Then, within 10 days, the first lienholder must surrender the Title Certificate
by mailing it to the vessel owner, or to the second lienholder if one exists.
Lenders sometimes misplace the Title Certificate or fail to send it to the
vessel owner on time. If you do not receive the Title within 10 days after
paying off your vessel loan, contact your lender. They are responsible for
requesting a replacement Title Certificate if they have lost the original.
B. Title
Lost by the Vessel Owner
If you have lost the Title Certificate, follow this procedure to obtain a
replacement:
- Vessel Owner: Obtain a VL-1 form from the Wildlife Commission by calling 1-800-628-3773.
- Vessel Owner: Complete the VL-1 form, including names, addresses, and signatures of all owners, and the Registration Number, Hull ID, and description of the vessel. Get the signatures notarized, enclose a $10 check or money order for the "Duplicate Title" fee, and mail to the Wildlife Commission.
- Wildlife Commission: Will normally respond within fifteen business days. By return mail, will send the replacement Title Certificate to you if there are no lienholders. Title will be mailed to the "first lienholder" if there is one. (Note: All incorrect or incomplete documentation will be returned, and the request delayed.)
C. Selling
a Titled Vessel When You Have Lost the Title
Vessel Owner: Before you can sell a titled vessel, you must have
1) Paid off the loans held by any lienholders against your vessel; and 2)
Ensured that the lender(s) have released their liens against your vessel,
and sent documentation of such to the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission.
You can telephone the Commission at 1-800-628-3773 to check the status of
your vessel records.
Vessel Owner: If you
are selling the vessel to an out-of-state owner, you will have to apply for,
and receive, a replacement North Carolina Title Certificate before you can
begin the transaction. Follow the procedure in Section B above.
Vessel Owner: If you are selling the vessel to someone who will register
and title it within North Carolina, the Wildlife Commission can process the
sale even though the Title Certificate has been lost. Have all current owners
of the vessel complete a Statement
of Lost Title and a Bill of Sale.
Get both documents notarized and turn them over to the Purchaser. If there
is a lien on the vessel, obtain lien release statement(s) from the lender(s)
and turn these over to the Purchaser. The Wildlife Resources Commission will
then be able to process the transaction. To obtain information on necessary
procedures, telephone the Wildlife Commission at 1-800-628-3773.
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Updating Address or Name Information on Your Vessel Registration/Title
The Wildlife Commission must maintain contact with vessel owners by mail. To keep records current, vessel owners who move from the address shown on their Registration Card or Title Certificate are required to notify the Wildlife Commission in writing of address changes. This requirement applies to all owners of the vessel. The procedures are as follows:
A. Updating Address for Vessel Registration
- Address change requests must be submitted in writing and must have the signature of the owner(s) requesting the change within 30 days.
- Upon receipt, the Commission will update the database and NCWRC will mail a duplicate registration card upon request for a fee of $5 (make check or money order payable to NCWRC).
B. Updating Address for Vessel Title
- Address change requests must be submitted in writing and must have the signature of the owner(s) requesting the change within 30 days.
- Upon receipt, the Commission will update the database. No replacement title will be mailed. The original title remains a valid legal document even if it shows a past address.
- A $10.00 fee is required for address changes submitted after 30 days (G.S. 75A-36). This fee must be submitted with the written request for address change. No replacement title will be mailed. The original title remains a valid legal document even if it shows a past address.
C. Updating Name Information for Vessel Registration or Title
- Name change requests must be submitted in writing and must have the signature of the owner requesting the change.
- Upon receipt, the Commission will update the database and mail the owner a new registration card and decal. No replacement title will be mailed. The original title remains a valid legal document even if it shows a previous name.
Example Change of Address Form. You may also request this form from WRC by calling 1-800-628-3773, or simply write the information shown on a plain piece of paper and mail it to North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, Transaction Management, 1709 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-1709. The changes must be received in writing with the owner's signature(s) included. Notarization is not required.
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Updating Lien Information on Your Title Certificate
Most of this activity is performed by lenders. It is described here to assist vessel owners in understanding the process. These procedures only apply when your vessel is titled.
A. Obtaining a Loan When You Currently Own the Vessel Free and Clear
- The Title Certificate should be in your possession because you own the vessel free and clear of liens.
- The Title Certificate might show a previous lien but the "release section" should be signed and notarized by the previous lender, showing the lien as released.
- Take the Title to your proposed lender at the time you apply for the loan. The old Title, a $10 fee, and a completed VL-1 form must be submitted to the Wildlife Commission so that an updated Title, showing the new lien, can be issued. The new Title will be mailed to your lender and will remain in their possession until the loan is paid off.
B. Applying to Your Current Lender for an Additional Loan
- The current Title to your vessel should already be in the lender's possession.
- As part of the application process, the vessel owner must sign a VL-1 form (supplied by the lender) to authorize a new lien to be filed against the vessel.
- The lender will sign and notarize the current Title, releasing the old lien. They will send the old Title, a $10 fee, and VL-1 form to the Wildlife Resources Commission.
- The Wildlife Commission will release the old lien and issue a new Title which shows only the new lien. The new Title will be mailed to your lender and will remain in their possession until the loan is paid off.
C. Applying for an Additional Loan from a Second Lender
- The second lender will ask the vessel owner to sign a VL-1 form and pay a $10 fee, authorizing a "second lien" to be filed against the vessel. ·
- The second lender will file the VL-1 form with the Wildlife Commission. In order to record the second lien on the Title, the second lender should obtain the current Title from the first lender. The Wildlife Commission will then issue a new Title showing both liens, and will mail it to the first lender.
- If the first loan is paid off first, the first lender will sign and notarize the "lien release" section and mail the Title to the second lender. The second lender will hold the Title until the second loan is paid off. Then the second lender will sign and notarize a release statement for the second lien and send the Title to the vessel owner.
- If the second loan is paid off first, the second lender will likely issue a "lien release letter" and send it to the vessel owner, with a copy to the Wildlife Commission. The vessel owner should carefully preserve the letter. At a later date, the first lender will sign and notarize the Title to show the release of the first lien, and will mail the Title Certificate to the second lender. Since the second lender has already released their lien, they should forward the Title Certificate on to the vessel owner.
- Upon paying off each loan, the vessel owner should act promptly if the lender fails to send appropriate lien release documentation within 10 days. This will avoid many problems in later years, as the vessel cannot be sold without the documented release of all liens. If additional information is needed, call the Wildlife Commission at 1-800-628-3773.
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Purchasing a Used Vessel that is U.S. Coast Guard Documented
A vessel can be simultaneously Registered with North Carolina and Documented with the U.S. Coast Guard, but it cannot be simultaneously Titled in North Carolina and Documented with the U.S. Coast Guard.
A vessel used only for recreational purposes, which does not carry passengers or cargo for hire, can legally be operated in international waters or to foreign ports without U.S. Coast Guard Documentation, although this may not be advisable. The Documentation Section of the U.S Coast Guard, Washington, D.C., may be contacted at 1-800-799-8362 for further information.
If you acquire a vessel that has been Documented with the U.S. Coast Guard and you desire to title it in North Carolina, you can "Un-document" it by submitting a "deletion letter" to the Coast Guard. For more information, contact the Coast Guard at 1-800-799-8362.
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Taking Ownership of an Abandoned Vessel
Definition: “Abandoned vessel" means a vessel that has been relinquished, left, or given up by the lawful owner without the intention to later resume any right or interest in the vessel. The term does not include a vessel that is left by an owner or agent of the owner with any person or business for the purpose of storage, maintenance, or repair and that is not subsequently reclaimed.
A person finding an abandoned vessel can become the registered and titled owner of the vessel, provided that the previous owner(s) cannot be located and that they have not reported the vessel missing or stolen.
The finder of an abandoned vessel should call (1-800-628-3773) or write to the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission, Transaction Management, 1709 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC, 27699-1709 to request a “Vessel Owner Information Request Form.” This form must be submitted prior to WRC releasing vessel owner information. Once the applicant has obtained the last registered owner information, that individual must perform the following steps:
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prove he/she has made all effort to contact the last registered owner(s) to indicate they have relinquished, left, or given up any right or interest they have in the vessel;
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send a Certified Letter, return receipt requested, to the last registered owner(s) to demonstrate to WRC that this letter was not deliverable or the last registered owner(s) would not respond;
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provide WRC with a written police report stating that the abandoned vessel has not been reported missing or stolen in the area where it was found;
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send a notarized statement to the WRC summarizing when and where the vessel was found; the attempts to locate the owner; the available evidence that the vessel is abandoned; and statements from any other persons knowledgeable about the history of the vessel;
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complete a VL-1 form to request registration and/or a title and mail it, along with the above listed documentation, and fee to the address shown on the form.
WRC will consider the evidence presented and will consult all available records. If WRC deems the vessel has been abandoned, WRC will register and/or title the vessel into the ownership of the applicant.
For more information regarding abandoned vessels, call 1-800-628-3773.
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Registering a homemade vessel
Proof of ownership is not required of an applicant when the vessel has been built by the applicant. However, if a vessel is homemade and it is sold, the buyer must present a notarized bill of sale from the seller when applying for a vessel registration. The homemade vessel will be assigned a HIN at the time of registration.
Note: Homemade vessels can only be registered via mail or in person through our office. Wildlife Service Agents do not offer this service.
New Registration Requirements for Homemade Vessel: