33 CFR § 187.306 - Certificate of title required.

---
identifier: "/us/cfr/t33/s187.306"
source: "ecfr"
legal_status: "authoritative_unofficial"
title: "33 CFR § 187.306 - Certificate of title required."
title_number: 33
title_name: "Navigation and Navigable Waters"
section_number: "187.306"
section_name: "Certificate of title required."
chapter_name: "COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY"
subchapter_number: "S"
subchapter_name: "BOATING SAFETY"
part_number: "187"
part_name: "VESSEL IDENTIFICATION SYSTEM"
positive_law: false
currency: "2026-04-05"
last_updated: "2026-04-05"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
authority: "46 U.S.C. 2103, 12501, 31322; DHS Delegation No. 00170.1, Revision No. 01.2, paragraph (II)(92)."
regulatory_source: "USCG-1999-6420, 66 FR 15630, Mar. 20, 2001, unless otherwise noted."
cfr_part: "187"
---


# 187.306 Certificate of title required.

(a) Except as otherwise provided in paragraphs (b) and (c) of this section, the owner of a vessel must deliver to the office of the State in which the vessel is principally used an application for a certificate of title for the vessel, with the applicable fee, not later than 20 days after the later of—

(1) The date of a transfer of ownership; or

(2) The date the State becomes the State of principal use.

(b) An application for a certificate of title is not required for—

(1) A documented vessel;

(2) A foreign-documented vessel;

(3) A barge;

(4) A vessel before delivery if the vessel is under construction or completed pursuant to contract; or

(5) A vessel held by a dealer for sale or lease.

(c) The office may not issue, transfer, or renew a certificate of number for a vessel issued pursuant to 46 U.S.C. 12301 unless it has created a certificate of title for the vessel or an application for a certificate for the vessel and the applicable fee have been delivered to the office.