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Boat/Vessel/Outboard Motor Titling and Registration

• Titling and Registering Boats/Vessels and Outboard Motors
• List of Boats/Vessels that do NOT need to be titled
• Missouri Resident Titling and Registration Requirements
• Out-of-State Resident Titling and Registration Requirements
• Boat/Vessel and Documented Vessel Registration Renewal Requirements
• United States Coast Guard Documented Vessel Certification and Registration Requirements
• United States Coast Guard Contact Information

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Titling and Registering Boats/Vessels and Outboard Motors

You have 60 days from the date of purchase to title your newly purchased boat/vessel/outboard motor. If you do not title the boat/vessel/outboard motor, there is a title penalty of $10 on the 61st day after purchase. The penalty increases another $10 for every 30 days you are late with a maximum penalty of $30.

• A paid personal property tax receipt listing the boat/vessel or a statement of non-assessment must be presented when registering or renewing a boat/vessel registration.
• All motorized boats/vessels and any sailboats longer than 12 feet must be titled and registered. Click here for a list of boats/vessels that do NOT need to be titled and registered.
• Amphibious vehicles are considered boats/vessels.
• All outboard motors, except trolling motors, must be titled and registered.

When the boat/vessel is titled and registered, you will receive:

• "MO" number
• Decals
• Pocket card

When the outboard motor is titled and registered, you will receive a decal.

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Boats/Vessels that are NOT required to be titled or registered in the state of Missouri if they are:

• Owned by out-of-state residents and housed, stored, or operated in the state of Missouri for less than 60 consecutive days;
• Owned by the United States Government;
• From a country other than the United States using the waters of this state for less than 60 consecutive days;
• Propelled solely by paddle or oars (regardless of length);
• Sailboats or sailboards less than 12 feet in length; or
• A ship's lifeboat used solely for lifesaving purposes.

 Vessels documented by the United States Coast Guard are not required to be titled, but must be registered.

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Missouri Resident Titling and Registration Requirements

You have 60 days from the date of purchase to title your newly purchased boat/vessel/outboard motor. If you do not title the boat/vessel/outboard motor, there is a title penalty of $10 on the 61st day after purchase. The penalty increases another $10 for every 30 days you are late with a maximum penalty of $30.

To title and register a boat/vessel/outboard motor in the state of Missouri, the owner must submit the following;

1. The Manufacturer's Statement of Origin (MSO), properly assigned Certificate of Title, descriptive bill of sale, or an Application for Missouri Watercraft or Outboard Motor Title and Registration (DOR-93) certified by a licensed Missouri boat dealer;
2. A signed Application for Missouri Watercraft or Outboard Motor Title and Registration (DOR-93); and
3. Paid personal property tax receipt listing the boat/vessel or a statement of non-assessment from the county (or city of St. Louis) collector or assessor for the previous year; and
   1. If the boat/vessel is not listed on the tax receipt ("boat" is acceptable), the following must be submitted:
      1. A corrected tax receipt (if manually corrected, it must contain the county seal); or
      2. A letter from the county collector (on letterhead or containing the county seal) reflecting payment of taxes.
4. Lien Release (DOR-4809), notarized, if applicable.

For a boat/vessel you will pay:

• State sales tax of 4.225 percent, plus your local sales tax on the purchase price, less trade-in allowance, if any. Local sales tax is the rate where you live, not where you bought the boat/vessel/outboard motor;
• $7.50 boat/vessel title fee;
• Boat/vessel registration (decal) fee, based on the length of the boat/vessel; and
• Processing fee(s).
• OPTIONAL: additional $5 "quick title" fee for expeditious handling.

For an outboard motor you will pay:

• State sales tax of 4.225 percent, plus your local sales tax on the purchase price, less trade-in allowance, if any. Local sales tax is the rate where you live, not where you bought the boat/vessel/outboard motor;
• $5 outboard motor title fee;
• Outboard motor registration fee of $2; and
• Processing fee(s).
• OPTIONAL: additional $5 "quick title" fee for expeditious handling.

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Out-of-State Resident Titling and Registration Requirements

You have 60 days from bringing the boat/vessel/outboard motor into Missouri to title the boat/vessel/outboard motor, if it is to be kept in Missouri over 60 consecutive days. If you do not title the boat/vessel/outboard motor, there is a title penalty of $10 on the 61st day. The penalty increases another $10 for every 30 days you are late with a maximum penalty of $30.

To title and register a boat/vessel/outboard motor in the state of Missouri, the owner must submit the following;

1. The Manufacturer's Statement of Origin (MSO), properly assigned Missouri Certificate of Title, out-of-state title, descriptive bill of sale, or an Application for Missouri Watercraft or Outboard Motor Title and Registration (DOR-93) certified by a licensed Missouri boat dealer;
   NOTE: If one of the ownership documents listed above is not available, please contact a contract office for additional information and assistance.
2. A signed Application for Missouri Watercraft or Outboard Motor Title and Registration (DOR-93); and
   NOTE: Your out-of-state address is to be recorded in the "owner" information area of the DOR-93. All renewal notices will be sent to this address. Record the city or county where the boat/vessel/outboard motor is housed in the appropriate block. (The County Assessor will assess personal property taxes based on this location.)
3. Paid personal property tax receipt listing the boat/vessel or a statement of non-assessment from the county (or city of St. Louis) collector or assessor for the previous year; and
   1. If the boat/vessel is not listed on the tax receipt ("boat" is acceptable), the following must be submitted:
      1. A corrected tax receipt (if manually corrected, it must contain the county seal); or
      2. A letter from the county collector (on letterhead or containing the county seal) reflecting payment of taxes.
4. Lien Release (DOR-4809), notarized, if applicable.

For the boat/vessel you will pay:

• State sales tax of 4.225 percent, plus the local sales tax on the purchase price, less trade-in allowance, if any. Local sales tax is the rate where the boat/vessel is housed, not where you bought the boat/vessel;
  NOTE: If sales tax was paid to another state you must submit proof of payment. No sales tax will be due if, the boat/vessel was registered and operated in another state for at least 90 days before titling and registering in Missouri.
• $7.50 boat/vessel title fee;
• Boat/vessel registration (decal) fee, based on the length of the boat/vessel; and
• Processing fee(s).
• OPTIONAL: additional $5 "quick title" fee for expeditious handling.

For the outboard motor you will pay:

• State sales tax of 4.225 percent, plus the local sales tax on the purchase price, less trade-in allowance, if any. Local sales tax is the rate where the outboard motor is housed, not where you bought the outboard motor;
  NOTE: If sales tax was paid to another state you must submit proof of payment. No sales tax will be due if, the outboard motor was registered and operated in another state for at least 90 days before titling and registering in Missouri.
• $5 outboard motor title fee;
• Outboard motor registration fee of $2, if applicable; and
• Processing fee(s).
• OPTIONAL: additional $5 "quick title" fee for expeditious handling.

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Boat/Vessel and Documented Vessel Registration Renewal Requirements

A boat/vessel and documented vessel registration must be renewed every three years.  The registration expires on June 30th in the year specified on the decal. There is no late renewal penalty.  (Outboard motor decals are not required to be renewed.)

To renew a boat/vessel or documented vessel, the owner must submit the following;

1. A boat/vessel or documented vessel Registration Renewal notice. If you did not receive this notice in the mail, you may obtain an application at your local contract office;
2. Paid personal property tax receipt listing the boat/vessel or a statement of non-assessment from the county (or city of St. Louis) collector or assessor for the previous year.
   1. If the boat/vessel is not listed on the tax receipt ("boat" is acceptable), the following must be submitted:
      1. A corrected tax receipt (if manually corrected, it must contain the county seal); or
      2. A letter from the county collector (on letterhead or containing the county seal) reflecting payment of taxes.

For a boat/vessel renewal you will pay:

• Boat/vessel registration (decal) fee, based on the length of the boat/vessel; and
• $3.50 processing fee.

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United States Coast Guard Documented Vessel Certification and Registration

If you are a Missouri resident, you have 30 days from acquiring the vessel to apply for a Documented Vessel Certificate of Registration (DOR-4086). If you do not apply within 30 days, you will incur a penalty of $10 on the 31st day, increasing another $10 for every 30 days you are late up to a maximum penalty of $30.

If you are a nonresident, you have 60 days from acquiring or bringing the documented vessel into Missouri to apply for a Documented Vessel Certificate of Registration, if the vessel is to be kept in Missouri over 60 consecutive days. If you do not apply, there is a penalty of $10 on the 61st day, increasing another $10 for every 30 days you are late up to a maximum penalty of $30.

To certify and register a United States Coast Guard Documented Vessel, the owner must submit the following to the Motor Vehicle Bureau's Central Office:

1. If new or previously titled: the Manufacturer's Statement of Origin (MSO) or the properly assigned Certificate of Title.;
   NOTE: If the MSO or title was surrendered to the United States Coast Guard, a statement outlining this fact and a bill of sale must be submitted.
2. If previously documented with the U.S. Coast Guard: a certified copy of the "ABSTRACT OF TITLE" in the new owner's name; AND the Documented Vessel Certificate of Registration (DOR-4086) properly assigned; (Click here to order your Abstract of Title, leaving dor.mo.gov webspace)
3. A signed Application for Documented Vessel Certificate of Registration (DOR-4398); and
4. Paid personal property tax receipt or a statement of non-assessment from the county (or city of St. Louis) collector or assessor for the previous year; and
   1. If the boat/vessel is not listed on the tax receipt ("boat" is acceptable), the following must be submitted:
      1. A corrected tax receipt (if manually corrected, it must contain the county seal); or
      2. A letter from the county collector (on letterhead or containing the county seal) reflecting payment of taxes.

Outboard motors attached to documented vessels must be titled and registered.

You will pay:

• "In-Lieu" boat/vessel taxes based on the purchase date and price of the vessel or proof that applicable taxes have been paid;
• Boat/vessel registration (decal) fee, based on the length of the vessel;
• $7.50 certificate fee;and
• $6.00 processing fee

Upon receipt of all requirements and fees, you will receive:

• Documented Vessel Certificate of Registration (DOR-4086); and
• Decals ( A "MO" number will not be issued.)

Documented vessel owners may purchase a temporary permit to allow them to operate the documented vessel for 60 days while the applicant awaits the documentation from the United States Coast Guard. These special permits must be obtained directly from the Motor Vehicle Bureau's Central Office in Jefferson City for a fee of $5.00 plus a $3.50 processing fee. Documented vessel temporary permits are nonrenewable or transferable and are no longer valid upon issuance of a Documented Vessel Certificate of Registration (DOR-4086).

To obtain a temporary permit, the owner must submit the following to the Motor Vehicle Bureau's Central Office:

1. A completed and signed Special Permits Application (DOR-1275);
2. Proof of purchase (one of the following):
   1. Copy (or original) of the assigned original title;
   2. Manufacturer’s Statement of Origin;
   3. The Abstract of Title;
   4. Assigned Missouri Documented Vessel Certificate of Registration (DOR-4086); or
   5. A bill of sale.
3. $5 temporary permit fee; and
4. $3.50 processing fee.

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United States Coast Guard Contact Information

United States Coast Guard Website (leaving dor.mo.gov webspace)

United States Coast Guard
National Vessel Documentation Center
792 T J Jackson Drive
Falling Waters, WV 25419
(304) 271-2400
(800) 799-8362
FAX: (304) 271-2405

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