Motorboats

Motorboat Titling

Since July 1, 1989, all motorboats in WV must be titled. Prior to that date, motorboats were only registered in WV.

Motorboat registrations expire on a 3-year cycle and cannot be transferred. Motorboats with at least 3hp / 70lb thrust motors have a registration fee. Motorboats with output below that threshold do not — see the fee chart at the bottom of this page.

Requirements to Title a Motorboat

1. Titling a motorboat previously titled in WV (Transfer of ownership)

1. WV title properly assigned to new owner
2. Notarized bill of sale for motorboat if purchase price is less than 50% of book value
3. Correct fees (see fee chart below)

2. Titling a new motorboat (Never titled)

1. Certificate of Origin properly assigned by the dealer
2. MB-6 (Application for Boat Title)
3. Dealer's invoice or dealer certification completed on the MB-6
4. Correct fees (see fee chart below)

3. Titling a motorboat previously registered in WV — no title, no transfer of ownership

1. MB-6 (Application for a Boat Title)
2. DMV-1-B (Hull identification certification completed by any law enforcement officer)
3. Registration card in applicant's name (or Division can verify ownership)
4. Correct fees (see fee chart below)

4. Transfer of a motorboat previously registered in WV (Transfer of ownership — no previous title)

1. MB-6 (Application for Certificate of a Motorboat)
2. DMV-1-B (Hull identification certification completed by any law enforcement)
3. Registration is in seller's name (or Division can verify ownership)
4. Notarized bill of sale
5. Correct fees (see fee chart below)

5. Purchase of a previously owned motorboat (In state or out of state, never been titled or registered in any state)

1. MB-6 (Application for a Motorboat Title)
2. If purchased from a state that titles or registers motorboats, a letter of clearance from that state must accompany the application
3. DMV-1-B (Hull identification certification completed by any law enforcement officer)
4. MB-12/13 (Owner and Purchasing Affidavit — must complete the section asking where and when the seller acquired the boat)
5. Proof satisfying the Division that the seller is the legal owner
6. Correct fees (see fee chart below)

6. Purchase of an out-of-state motorboat from a state that titles motorboats (Transfer of ownership)

1. Properly assigned out-of-state title
2. MB-6 (Application for a Motorboat)
3. Notarized bill of sale if purchase price is less than 50% of book value. If from a dealer, a dealer invoice is required.
4. Correct fees (see fee chart below)

7. Purchase of an out-of-state motorboat from a registration-only state (Transfer of ownership)

1. Registration in seller's name. If the registration can be reassigned, it must be reassigned properly. If no registration, a seller's affidavit and letter of clearance from the state the motorboat was registered in must be provided showing that the seller is the registered owner.
2. MB-6 (Application for a Motorboat Title)
3. DMV-1-B (Hull identification certification completed by any law enforcement officer)
4. Notarized bill of sale if purchase price is less than 50% of book value (if purchased from a dealer, a dealer invoice and proof of trade and ownership from previous owner must accompany the application)
5. Correct fees (see fee chart below)

8. Titling a motorboat from a titling state (No change of ownership)

1. Title in applicant's name (if a lien holder is holding the title, a readable copy of the front of the title may be submitted along with the original motorboat registration)
2. MB-6 (Application for Motorboat Title)
3. Correct fees (see fee chart below)

9. Titling a motorboat from a registration-only state (No change of ownership)

1. Registration in applicant's name. If the owner does not have the registration, a letter of clearance from the previous state proving they are the registered owner, and a Sole Owner's Affidavit (MB-12/13) must be submitted.
2. MB-6 (Application for a Motorboat Title)
3. DMV-1-B (Hull identification certification completed by any law enforcement officer)
4. Correct fees (see fee chart below)

10. Titling a West Virginia boat that has never been titled or registered

1. MB-6 (Application for a Motorboat Title)
2. DMV-1-B (Hull identification certification completed by any law enforcement officer)
3. MB-12/13 (Owner and Purchasing Affidavit)
4. Proof satisfying the Division that the applicant is the owner of the motorboat (5 years of tax receipts, insurance policy covering boat, etc.)
5. Correct fees (see fee chart below)

11. Motorboats from 1984 and newer with less than a 12-digit hull number, or an older model with an invalid hull number (Number starting with "WV" but containing less than 12 digits)

1. Title must be submitted. If registered, only a DMV-14-TR must be submitted.
2. DMV-1-B (Hull identification certification completed by any law enforcement officer)

12. Salvage motorboat (Previous WV title)

1. Properly assigned WV title
2. Boat registration or letter stating why none is available
3. SV-1 or SV-6 (Salvage or Owner Retention Salvage application) completed by the insurance company
4. Correct fees (see fee chart below)

13. Salvage motorboat, WV registration only (Not previously titled)

1. Registration in owner's name (or Division can confirm ownership)
2. MB-6 (Application for a Motorboat)
3. Notarized bill of sale to insurance company (if not applying for an owner retention salvage)
4. SV-1 or SV-6 (WV Salvage or Owner Retention Salvage application) completed by the insurance company
5. DMV-1-B (Hull identification certification completed by any law enforcement officer)
6. Correct fees (see fee chart below)

14. Salvage motorboat, never been titled or registered (WV resident)

1. MB-12/13 (Owner and Purchasing Affidavit) — must complete the section asking where and when the boat was acquired
2. SV-1 (Salvage application) completed by the insurance company
3. MB-6 (Application for a Motorboat) completed by the insurance company
4. DMV-1-B (Hull identification certification completed by any law enforcement)
5. Correct fees (see fee chart below)

15. Assembled motorboats

1. MB-6 (Application for a Motorboat)
2. MB-11-TR (Affidavit of Builder for a Motorboat)
3. DMV-1-B (Hull identification certification completed by any law enforcement officer)
4. Two photographs of the finished boat — one photo of the front, one of the side
5. Correct fees (see fee chart below)

Fee Chart