California Boat Title Bond (Vessel Ownership Surety Bond)
In California, a boat with missing proof of ownership runs through the DMV: when the vessel is valued at $2,000 or more and you can't produce the normal ownership documents, the DMV may require a Motor Vehicle Ownership Surety Bond (REG 5057). The $2,000 figure is the value that triggers the bond — not the bond amount; the bond itself is written for the vessel's fair market value.
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This page is for boats and vessels. For other California title situations, see California vehicle title bonds. For how a title bond works in general, see vehicle title bonds.
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When a California vessel needs an ownership surety bond
Per the DMV's Vehicle Industry Registration Procedures Manual, "A Motor Vehicle Ownership Surety Bond (REG 5057) form or a bond alternative must be submitted when the required supporting evidence of ownership is not available and at least one of the following conditions exist." The normal evidence of ownership has to be unavailable, and at least one listed condition has to apply. For a vessel, one listed condition is value: the "Value of the vessel is $2,000 or more."
Note the form name: California calls it the Motor Vehicle Ownership Surety Bond (REG 5057) even for a boat. The manual says the bond is obtained for "the fair market value of the vehicle or vessel." If you searched for a vessel bond and only see a motor-vehicle form, that is the right one.
Source: DMV Vehicle Industry Registration Procedures Manual — Bonds and Certifications
The vessel rider
For a boat, the manual requires the bond to have "a rider attached covering the vessel."
How much is the bond?
The bond amount is not a flat $2,000. The manual says "The bond must be obtained for the fair market value of the vehicle or vessel," and the REG 5057 is written "in the penal sum of $ ___ which is the fair market value of the motor vehicle." So the bond is sized to what your boat is worth — one times fair market value, with no multiplier. Confirm with the DMV how it determines that value.
BOAT 101 and the 30-day window
The DMV's vessel title transfer checklist lists the "Application for Vessel Certificate of Number (BOAT 101)," and states, "You must submit the transfer documents and pay fees within 30 days of the purchase." If you're the seller, the checklist asks for a Notice of Transfer and Release of Liability for the vessel within five days.
The 30-day window is the checklist's deadline for transfer documents and fees. We have not found a separate deadline for the bond itself on the DMV's pages; confirm timing with the DMV.
The surety and the bond alternative
The bond must be "issued by an admitted surety insurer authorized to do business in California by the Department of Insurance," and "the signature must be notarized. A bond preprinted with the surety's signature and notary acknowledgement is not acceptable."
If you would rather not post a bond, California allows a deposit instead: "In lieu of submitting a bond for a vehicle or vessel, a Vehicle, Vessel, or Off-Highway Vehicle Title Deposit Agreement and Assignment (REG 5059) form may be submitted."
The REG 5057 states the bond "remains effective in accordance with Vehicle Code section 4158"; confirm the bond's term in years with the DMV.
How to get your California vessel bond
By the book, the order is: confirm with the DMV that your boat needs the bond (vessel valued $2,000 or more, normal ownership evidence not available); obtain a Motor Vehicle Ownership Surety Bond (REG 5057) with a rider covering the vessel, from a California-admitted surety, signature notarized; then submit it to the DMV as it directs (confirm the steps for your file with the DMV).
Eric picks up the phone and will walk you through the DMV steps, and we shop multiple U.S. Treasury-listed surety carriers. He will get you what you need as fast as he can. He speaks Spanish. Call the DMV at 1-800-777-0133 for your own file, or start a quote above.
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Other California situations: California out-of-state vehicle and California lost title. For how boat title bonds are handled across states, see boat & vessel title bonds.
FAQ
Is the California boat bond $2,000?
No. The $2,000 figure is the vessel value that triggers the bond, not the bond amount. The DMV requires the bond when "the required supporting evidence of ownership is not available" and a listed condition applies, such as "Value of the vessel is $2,000 or more," and the bond itself is written for the boat's fair market value — one times value, with no multiplier.
What form is the California vessel title bond?
It is the Motor Vehicle Ownership Surety Bond (REG 5057) — California uses that same form for boats. The manual says the bond is obtained for "the fair market value of the vehicle or vessel." For a boat, the bond also needs "a rider attached covering the vessel."
How much is the California vessel bond?
It is sized to your boat. The manual says "The bond must be obtained for the fair market value of the vehicle or vessel," and the REG 5057 is written "in the penal sum of $ ___ which is the fair market value of the motor vehicle." There is no multiplier.
What is BOAT 101 and the 30-day window?
To transfer a boat, the DMV's vessel checklist lists the "Application for Vessel Certificate of Number (BOAT 101)," and states, "You must submit the transfer documents and pay fees within 30 days of the purchase." That is the checklist's deadline for transfer documents and fees, separate from the bond.
What if my boat is worth less than $2,000?
A value of $2,000 or more is one of the conditions the manual lists for a vessel ownership surety bond. If your boat is worth less, confirm with the DMV what proof of ownership it will accept instead.
Can I post a deposit instead of a bond?
Yes. The DMV allows a deposit in place of the bond: "In lieu of submitting a bond for a vehicle or vessel, a Vehicle, Vessel, or Off-Highway Vehicle Title Deposit Agreement and Assignment (REG 5059) form may be submitted."