Boat Registration and Licenses in Virginia
Boat Registration & Licenses in Virginia
The Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources (DGIF) enforces all boating rules and regulations. On this page, we'll go over boat titling and registration AND the state's requirements to legally operate vessels on the Old Dominion's waterways.
Vessels to Title & Register in Virginia
The VA DGIF requires ALL motorized vessels to be titled AND registered.
Additionally, you must title any sailboats more than 18 ft long.
The following types of watercraft do not require titling or registration:
- Non-motorized (powered by paddles or oars) vessels like:
- Canoes.
- Rowboats.
- Kayaks.
- Boats only used on private waters.
- Watercraft registered in another state, not kept in Virginia for more than 90 consecutive days.
If you still have questions about whether your boat requires a VA title and/or registration, call the Department of Wildlife Resources' boat title and registration number: (866) 721-6911.
Title & Register Your Boat in VA
To title and/or register your vessel with the Virginia DGIF, you'll first need to collect the following items:
- A completed Application for Watercraft Certificate of Title and Certificate of Number (Registration) (Form BRT-001).
- A proof of ownership for:
- New boats: Original Manufacturer's OR Importer's Certificate of Origin, with the "First Assignment" section completed by the dealer.
- Previously titled used boats: Original, properly-assigned Virginia OR out-of-state certificate of title.
- Previously registered (not titled) used boats from:
- Virginia: A dated bill of sale OR a completed Notification of Change in Status of a Numbered Vessel (Form BRT-010).
- Out-of-state: A copy of the vessel's out-of-state registration AND, if the boat isn't yet registered in your name, the bill of sale.
- The appropriate boat title/registration fees.
Submit your vessel title/registration application by any of the following methods:
- In person at any Virginia DMV office.
- In person at the DGIF Henrico office, located at:
- 7870 Villa Park Drive
- Suite 400
- Henrico, VA 23228
- By mail to:
- Department of Wildlife Resources—Client Services
- P.O. Box 9930
- Henrico, VA 23228
The Department of Motor Vehicles will issue a temporary registration that is valid for 90 days. Your Virginia boat registration will be valid for 3 years.
Virginia Boat Title & Registration Fees
Below are the VA Department of Wildlife Resources' fees to title and register your vessel. Checks or money orders need to be made out to “Treasurer of Virginia”:
- Vessel title: $10.
- Per lien recorded on an already titled boat: $10.
- Orginial/renewal registration (determined by your boat's length):
- Less than 16 ft: $32.
- 16 up to 20 ft: $36.
- 20 up to 40 ft: $42.
- 40 ft and longer: $50.
- Duplicate:
- Registration certificate: $14.
- Boat decals: $14.
- Vessel title: $7.
- Watercraft sales tax: 2% of the boat's sale price.
VA Vessel Renewals & Replacements
VA boat registrations are valid for 3 years. The DGIF will mail you a renewal notice before registration's expiration date.
There are a few different ways to renew your vessel registration, including:
- Online by providing your:
- Boat's registration number.
- Registration renewal PIN (included with your renewal notice).
- Credit card information for the applicable renewal fees.
- By mailing the appropriate renewal fees AND your renewal notice to the address provided on the renewal notice.
- In person by taking your renewal notice AND the necessary renewal fees to a DGIF office location.
If you lost or did not receive a renewal notice, mail a completed Application for Watercraft Certificate of Title and Certificate of Number (Registration) (Form BRT-001) AND the appropriate registration renewal fees to:
- Department of Wildlife Resources—Client Services
- P.O. Box 9930
- Henrico, VA 23228
Replace Lost VA Title & Registration
Lost or damaged your boat title, registration, and/or decals? You can easily request replacements by sending the items below to the VA Department of Wildlife Resources:
- A completed Duplicate Application (Form BRT-011) with the applicable replacement boxes checked.
- The appropriate fees for replacement title/registration/decals.
Mail the above items to:
- Department of Wildlife Resources—Client Services
- P.O. Box 9930
- Henrico, VA 23228
Virginia Boater Requirements
In Virginia, you're required to complete a boating safety course if you:
- Are 14 or 15 years old and want to operate personal watercraft (PWC).
- Boaters younger than 14 years old CANNOT operate PWC.
- Wish to operate a motorized vessel with 10 HP or more (regardless of age).
To fulfill the DGIF's boater education requirement, complete any of the following:
- Online course—See the DGIF page on boating safety courses for a list of approved online education providers.
- Classroom course—Schedule of approved classroom courses across Virginia.
- Boating safety exam (for experienced boaters with general knowledge of VA boating rules and regulations)—Schedule of testing locations in Virginia.
You can then order your Lifetime Virginia Boating Safety Education Card through the DGIF's affiliated online provider. You will need to pay a $10 fee to receive your education card.
Once you have your card, you'll be good to go out on Virginia state waters!