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How do I title my boat, what fees are due and what supporting documents are required?
To title/register your vessel, you need to provide the model year and make of vessel, purchase price and purchase year, overall length, hull identification number (if any), Coast Guard number, or document (official) number. All owners must be present to sign a title application. You will need to submit the ownership documents such as out-of-state titles or registration certificates (if registration only state), or Washington state certificate of title, if vessel has not been titled/registered before and was purchased new of July 1, 1985 the original Manufacturer's Statement of Origin. If the vessel is federally documented through the U.S. Coast Guard, a copy of the Certificate of Documentation papers are required. All owners listed on the Certificate of Documentation must be present to sign the vessel application. If you are registering your vessel for the first time in Washington state, registration charges will include: $23.00 for vessels under 16 feet and vessels exempt from excise tax plus $2 bringing the total fees to $25.00. The $2 fee funds the new Derelict Vessel Removal Program. For more information:Derelict Vessel Removal Program

Vessels exempt from excise tax are:


Vessels used exclusively for commercial fishing purposes;
Vessels under 16 feet in overall length;
Vessels owned and operated by the United States, a state of the United States, or any municipality or political subdivision thereof;
Vessels owned by a nonprofit organization or association engaged in character building of boys and girls under eighteen years of age and solely used for such purposes;
Vessels owned and held for sale by a dealer, but not rented on a regular commercial basis.
Additional fees for vessels 16 feet and over is excise tax based on .5% of the fair market value (purchase price if it reflects fair market value), unless exempt from excise tax. The registration period is July 1st through June 30th of the following year. Excise tax will be assessed from July 1st of the current registration period, unless the vessel just entered the state, was just purchased, or is under 16 feet. All vessels will be subject to sales/use tax, unless you paid sales/use tax to another state or the boat is being used exclusively in bare boat charter. If you qualify for partial or full waiver of sales/use tax, call your local Department of Revenue Office
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What size boats with a motor are required to be registered?
All vessels with propulsion machinery are required to be titled/registered including sailboats 16 feet and over without any propulsion machinery. For information on other exemptions, please contact your local county auditor's office or closest vehicle licensing office.


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What are federal waters?
Federal waters are Puget Sound, Hood Canal, Lake Washington, Lake Union, Lake Sammamish, Columbia River, Snake River, Lake Washington Ship Canal, Capitol Lake, Pend Oreille River, Walla Walla River, Yakima River, and other bodies of water effected by the ebb and flow of the tide and are on or bordering federal land. For further clarification of federal waters, please contact the local marine law enforcement office in the jurisdiction.


Is that vauge enough for you... that is straight from the horses mouth... washington dmv

Are oars considered propulsionary machinery... hmmmm