Registering Your Motorboat

The first registration or validation of a motorboat/personal watercraft/shuttlecraft (boat) in Vermont is subject to the sales tax unless:

A purchase invoice is presented showing a sales tax of 6% or more paid to a dealer in any one of the 45 state jurisdictions imposing a sales tax. Alaska, Montana, Delaware, New Hampshire, and Oregon do not have a Sales and Use tax.
The applicant is a nonresident of Vermont and purchased the boat in a state other than Vermont while a nonresident.
The applicant is a nonresident of Vermont and purchased the boat in Vermont, however, received title or possession or both in another state.
The applicant is a nonresident of Vermont and submits a copy of a valid registration from his home state.
The boat is acquired through a transfer to an individual (relative or not) for no consideration.

The following documentation is required for a first-time Vermont Motorboat Registration:

Original Manufacturer’s Certificate of Origin.
- If the assignment made by other than Dealer, the title of one signing must be indicated or Power of Attorney Appointment submitted.
Bill of Sale (for sales tax purposes)
Additional Bill of Sale.
- All Bills of Sale must include the make, year, Hull Identification Number, purchase price, date and signature of Seller.

The original (previous) Certificate of Title
- Must be signed by all parties listed as owners on the face of the title
- All liens must be released
- Death Certificates &/or probate letters when the owner(s) is/are deceased
Bill of Sale
- All Bills of Sale must include the make, year, Hull Identification Number, purchase price, date and signature of Seller.

Original or certified copy of last Registration Certificate and all Bills of Sale thereafter

A Bill of Sale (from Seller to you describing the boat by Hull Identification Number, make, year, date of sale, purchase price, and Seller's signature, or
Seller's signature(in Section 5B of the Vermont Motorboat Registration Application (VD-037), or
Copy of out-of-state Registration Certificate in your name

Download the PDF form to your computer and then open it with Adobe Reader

Related Forms & Information
Title Sort descending	ID#	Description
Assignment of VIN/HIN	VT-003	To request a VIN/HIN be assigned when the vehicle has never had or no longer has a proper VIN/HIN number.
Bill of Sale (BOS) & Odometer Disclosure Statement (ODS)	VT-005	To transfer ownership of a motor vehicle and state current mileage. Odometer Disclosure Statement is required for vehicles model year 2011 or newer.
Motorboat Application Instructions	VD-037i	Instructions for registering a motorboat.
Motorboat Registration or Vessel Validation	VD-037	To apply for registration as new, transfer, renew, or title only on a motorboat.

What are the different classes of motorboat?

23 V.S.A. § 3304 defines motorboat classes as follows

Motorboats shall be divided into four classes as follows:

October 8, 2024