Boat & Vessel Bonded Titles: Where a Surety Bond for a Boat Title Actually Applies

Unlike cars, boats are not titled everywhere, and the agency is often not the DMV. Three questions decide whether a bond is even possible:

1. Who titles vessels in your state? A wildlife or natural-resources agency (TX's TPWD, NC's Wildlife Resources Commission, PA's Fish and Boat Commission, SC's DNR, MD's DNR, NV's NDOW, IL's IDNR, GA's DNR), a county clerk (KY, OH), or the DMV/DOR/SOS (CA, WA, MO, MI, IN, AL, NJ). A handful register boats but issue no state title at all — Tennessee is one (per a 2018 state commission report; confirm current status with TWRA), and Arizona and Colorado appear to be registration-only.
2. Does your boat meet the titling threshold? Length, horsepower, hull material, and model year all matter and vary by state (see the table).
3. If titled, is a bond the route for missing ownership proof — or is it an affidavit, a court order, or flexible "evidence of ownership" instead?

If the answer to #1 is "no title," there is nothing to bond. For a documented vessel (U.S. Coast Guard), states such as NC and KY cannot issue a state title at all unless the documentation is deleted (NC G.S. 75A-34; KY KRS 235.070(2)(f)).

Texas (TPWD) — Texas. Boats are titled by Texas Parks and Wildlife, not TxDMV, and bonded titles go through TPWD's Bonded Title staff. The bond amount is "one and one half times the value of the asset," and it "will remain on file with TPWD for the following three years" (Form PWD 388). TPWD accepts a J.D. Power printout or "a written appraisal from a Licensed Marine Dealer or Marine Surveyor." Outboard motors are titled separately (PWD 144) and are included in the bonded-review process; abandoned boats on private property more than seven consecutive days have their own request path (PWD 1344).

Michigan (Secretary of State) — Michigan. Michigan requires a title on a watercraft purchase (MCL 324.80304), but a bond is only required when the Secretary of State is not satisfied as to ownership of a watercraft valued over $2,500. The bond "shall be in an amount equal to twice the value of the watercraft" and "shall be returned at the end of 3 years" (MCL 324.80307). Form TR-121 explicitly lists "Watercraft" as a type of item bonded, and a TR-54 HIN inspection by Michigan law enforcement is required when there is no Michigan record.

California (DMV) — California. California's vessel bond is the Motor Vehicle Ownership Surety Bond (REG 5057) with a rider that "correctly identifies the vessel." It is triggered when ownership evidence is unavailable and the vessel's value is $2,000 or more. Unlike most states, the bond is for 1.0× the fair market value, not a 1.5× or 2× multiple: "The bond must be obtained for the fair market value of the vehicle or vessel." A cash/CD alternative exists via REG 5059. (The surety-bond term is not stated on the DMV page — confirm it with DMV.)

Washington (DOL) — Washington. When vessel ownership is in doubt, WAC 308-93-440 gives three options: "(a) Apply for three-year registration without title; or (b) Apply for a bonded title as described in vehicle law RCW 46.12.680; or (c) Petition any district or superior court." So a bond is one choice, not the only one. If you take the bond, it is "one and one-half times the value of the vehicle" for a three-year period; DOL accepts an appraisal from a licensed vessel dealer or appraisal company. The TD-420-008 affidavit covers a vessel HIN directly.

Alabama (Dept of Revenue) — Alabama. Alabama began titling vessels built after 12/31/2023, or any vessel with Alabama as the state of principal use on/after 1/1/2024; vessels under 18 ft are titled only if propelled by an engine of 75 hp or greater. The surety-bond request form (MVT 10-1A) and bond form (MVT 10-1) cover "a motor vehicle, manufactured home, or vessel." Note: the published rule's flat dollar schedule (810-5-75-.34) lists vehicles, trailers, RVs, motorcycles and manufactured homes — not a vessel figure — so confirm the vessel bond amount with ADOR before buying.

Georgia (info only — not a quote state). Georgia DNR handles a missing-proof boat with an Affidavit of Vessel Ownership; if the vessel is valued over $5,000, "the applicant must post a bond equal to the value of the boat plus 20%. After one year, the applicant can request the bond be released." Submit to GaDNR within 60 days.

• Homemade / specially constructed vessels. CA refers fiberglass homemade boats 15 ft or longer to "a licensed vessel verifier or peace officer for verification," and requires a bond unless the completed vessel is valued at $1,999 or less. MO uses Form 798 (Affidavit of Ownership and Inspection) plus a Water Patrol / Highway Patrol / Conservation Commission inspection, and issues a "MOZ" metal ID plate for homemade hulls. NC takes a notarized homemade certification on VL-1. WA requires bills of sale/invoices for materials plus a Declaration of Value (TD-420-737).
• The outboard motor may be a separate title. TX titles internal-combustion outboards separately (PWD 144), unless 40 years or older and 25 hp or less. SC titles outboard motors 5 hp and greater. MO titles outboard motors. Kentucky "does not title the motor on a boat."
• The boat trailer is its own title. In California, "if the boat/vessel has a trailer, you need to get the trailer title," and a PTI trailer doesn't automatically receive a paper title unless there is a lienholder; if you can't get a copy, REG 4017 transfers it into your name. Trailer title rules sit on the vehicle/trailer pages, not here.
• Length / horsepower thresholds decide titling. Examples: MO over 12 ft (sail); NC motorized vessels and sailboats 14 ft+ (and all PWC); TX non-motorized 14 ft+ (all motorized, any length); NJ 12 ft and under non-titled; IL optional under 22 ft; OH exempt under 14 ft with under 10 hp; WA exempt under 16 ft with 10 hp or less on non-federal waters.
• HIN and inspections. Missing or questionable hull identification numbers commonly force an agency inspection before titling (CA, MO, NV, IL, MI, AL via ALEA). Build this time into your plan.