BOAT REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS

Paperwork Requirements:

1. Your current registration card or pink registration receipt
2. Current decals will be issued and must be properly affixed to the hull of your boat
3. State funds paid to Eastern Marine shall be paid in the form of Cash, Check or Debit Card only. (No Credit Cards or Store Credits accepted as payment)

Paperwork Requirements:

1. Your must submit the original copy of the Manufacturer's Certificate of Origin (M.C.O.). This certificate will be kept on file with the Delaware Division of Fish & Wildlife.
2. The M.C.O. must be assigned to the owner (s) by the selling dealer or assigned directly to owner by the manufacturer. The selling dealer must sign the 1st assignment on the M.C.O. The new owner's resident address must be on the M.C.O.
3. For new boat purchases that are financed, they will be registered in the owner (s) and lienholder's name until the lien has been satisfied. The original M.C.O. is still required and the lending institution is responsible for the U.C.C. Filings.
4. If M.C.O. is filled out to 2 or more persons, all names will go on registration unless:
   1. person(s) are present and state that they do not wish to be listed as a boat owner.
   2. person(s) provide notarized statement saying they want their name taken off.
5. State funds paid to Eastern Marine shall be paid in the form of Cash, Check or Debit Card only. (No Credit Cards or Store Credits accepted as payment)

NOTE: Delaware is a NON-TITLE STATE; PA, MD & NJ are TITLE STATES

1. FROM A TITLE STATE:
   If your vessel meets the criteria on the list of title states...
   1. The original title is required and it must be properly signed over from the previous owner and assigned to the new owner.
   2. The title will be kept on file with the Delaware Division of Fish & Wildlife
   3. If boat is registered to more than one (1) person, all names must sign the title & bill of sale.
   4. If the previous owner had a lien listed against the boat, then a Release of Lien Statement from the listed financial institute must be provided.
2. FROM A NON-TITLE STATE:
   If your vessel does not meet the criteria on the list of title states...
   Note: Delaware is a Non-Title State
   
   Paperwork Requirements
   1. The previous owner's original registration card and a notarized bill of sale conveying the property from the previous registered owner to the new owner.
   2. If boat is registered to more than one (1) person, all names must sign the title & bill of sale.
   3. If the previous owner had a lien listed against the boat, then a Release of Lien Statement from the listed financial institute must be provided.

Bill of Sale Requirements

1. Must list the boat's length, make, year built and it's 12 digit hull identification number (H.I.N.#).
2. It should list the name of both the seller and buyer and both parties need to provide their signature.
3. The bill of sale does not have to be notarized if the previous registered owner and purchaser are present at our service center with photo I.D.
4. The bill of sale does not need to be notarized if the boat was purchased from a dealer and the bill of sale is written on dealer letterhead.

1. Personal Identification in the form of a valid Driver's License is required
2. From a NON-TITLE STATE: submit the registration card from that state.
3. From a TITLE STATE: (Click here for a list of Title States)
   If your boat is Titled in a TITLING STATE, you must submit the original title. Titles will be kept on file with the Delaware Division of Fish & Wildlife.

1. TRANSFER IN OWNERSHIP
   A transfer occurs when the ownership of a Delaware Registered vessel has changed and the new owner wishes to maintain the Delaware Registration.
   
   Paperwork Requirements
   1. New owner must submit the previous owner's Delaware Boat Registration Card and a signed notarized bill of sale from the last registered owner.
   2. If transferring an already registered boat, no bill of sale is required provided the seller (who's name appears on the certificate) and buyer are present and show photo I.D.
   3. When transferring a currently registered boat (one whose registration has not expired) the decals and DL# may remain intact on the vessel and only a transfer fee will be charged when the registration card is provided.
   4. Names can be added to a boat registration without any additional paperwork.
   5. A listed name can be dropped from a registration only with the following:
      1. A notarized statement signed by the person to be dropped saying they want to be taken off.
      2. The name wishing to be dropped appears in-person at the Eastern Marine License Center stating they wish to be removed from the document.
   6. When the previous owners are listed as "and" on the registration then both (or all listed) parties must sign the bill of sale.
      1. When owners divorce and they are listed as "and" on the registration document - a copy of the divorce settlement naming the sole owner of the vessel must be provided.
   7. When the previous owners are listed as "or" on the registration then either one may sign the bill of sale.
   8. Transfer Fee $4.95 (including agent fee)
2. TRANSFER OF DL#
   To transfer a DL# from an old boat to a new boat, you need proof of ownership for the new boat and the registration certificate from the old boat in order to maintain the same DL#. Decals that have not expired can only be transferred from the same license class of boat
3. TRANSFER IN OWNERSHIP - Expired DE Registration
   A transfer in ownership of a vessel with an expired Delaware Registration Card can be handled according to the following criteria:

   1. Must meet the above transfer in ownership paperwork requirements (5A:1-8)
   2. This registration will require payment of the annual license fee (determined by vessel class) to re-register the vessel for the current year.
   3. The transfer fee would not apply.

4. TRANSFER IN OWNERSHIP - Registration in DE - Paperwork Lost
   Vessel previously registered in Delaware with a notarized bill of sale but without a Delaware Registration Card or a receipt must meet the following criteria:

   1. A signed notarized bill of sale must be provided with the vessel's Hull I.D.# and DL# listed on this document.
   2. The seller must be the last registered owner
   3. The DL# will not be transferred and a new registration DL# will be issued.
      Exception: The DL# can only be transferred by the previous owner if a letter is provided from the previous owner stating that 1) He/she has lost the Registration Card and 2) He/she has no interest in retaining his/her DL# and 3) He/she permits the transfer of that DL# to the new owner.

5. TRANSFER IN OWNERSHIP - Deceased Boat Owner
   In the event of the death of a boat owner with a boat registered in the State of Delaware, transfer of this property will require the following paperwork...
   1. The most current Registration Card or pink Registration Receipt
   2. A copy of the Death Certificate
   3. A copy of the Estate Executor's Power of Attorney for this estate
   4. A notarized bill of sale transferring ownership of the vessel to another party. This document must be signed by the Estate Executor.