{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/29.1-733.15.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/29.1-733.15.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/29.1-733.15.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/29.1-733.15.html"}],"law_id":72201,"edition_id":1,"section_id":72201,"structure_id":13228,"section_number":"29.1-733.15","catch_line":"Perfection of security interest","history":"2013, c. 787.","full_text":"A\n\nExcept as otherwise provided in this section or § 29.1-733.29, a security interest in a watercraft shall be perfected only by delivery to the Department of an application for a certificate of title that identifies the secured party and otherwise complies with § 29.1-733.7. The security interest is perfected on the later of delivery to the Department of the application and the applicable fee or attachment of the security interest under § 8.9A-203.B\n\nIf the interest of a person named as owner, lessor, consignor, or bailor in an application for a certificate of title delivered to the Department is a security interest, the application sufficiently identifies the person as a secured party. Identification on the application for a certificate of a person as owner, lessor, consignor, or bailor is not by itself a factor in determining whether the person’s interest is a security interest.C\n\nIf the Department has created a certificate of title for a watercraft, a security interest in the watercraft shall be perfected by delivery to the Department of an application, on a form the Department shall require, to have the security interest added to the certificate. The application shall be signed by an owner of the watercraft or by the secured party and shall include:1\n\nThe name of the owner of record;2\n\nThe name and mailing address of the secured party;3\n\nThe hull identification number for the watercraft; and4\n\nIf the Department has created a written certificate of title for the watercraft, the certificate.D\n\nA security interest perfected under subsection C is perfected on the later of delivery to the Department of the application and all applicable fees or attachment of the security interest under § 8.9A-203.E\n\nOn delivery of an application that complies with subsection C and payment of all applicable fees, the Department shall create a new certificate of title pursuant to § 29.1-733.8 and deliver the new certificate or a record evidencing an electronic certificate pursuant to subsection A of § 29.1-733.12. The Department shall maintain in the files of the Department the date and time of delivery of the application to the Department.F\n\nIf a secured party assigns a perfected security interest in a watercraft, the receipt by the Department of a statement providing the name of the assignee as secured party is not required to continue the perfected status of the security interest against creditors of and transferees from the original debtor. A purchaser of a watercraft subject to a security interest that obtains a release from the secured party indicated in the files of the Department or on the certificate takes free of the security interest and of the rights of a transferee unless the transfer is indicated in the files of the Department or on the certificate.G\n\nThis section does not apply to a security interest:1\n\nIn a watercraft by a person during any period in which the watercraft is inventory held for sale or lease by the person or is leased by the person as lessor if the person is in the business of selling watercraft;2\n\nIn a barge for which no application for a certificate of title has been delivered to the Department; or3\n\nIn a watercraft before delivery if the watercraft is under construction, or completed, pursuant to contract and for which no application for a certificate has been delivered to the Department.H\n\nThis subsection applies if a certificate of documentation for a documented vessel is deleted or canceled. If a security interest in the watercraft was valid immediately before deletion or cancellation against a third party as a result of compliance with 46 U.S.C. § 31321, the security interest is and remains perfected until the earlier of four months after cancellation of the certificate or the time the security interest becomes perfected under this article.I\n\nA security interest in a watercraft arising under § 8.2-401 or 8.2-505, subsection (3) of § 8.2-711, or subsection (5) of § 8.2A-508 is perfected when it attaches but becomes unperfected when the debtor obtains possession of the watercraft, unless before the debtor obtains possession the security interest is perfected pursuant to subsection A or C.J\n\nA security interest in a watercraft as proceeds of other collateral is perfected to the extent provided in § 8.9A-315.K\n\nA security interest in a watercraft perfected under the law of another jurisdiction is perfected to the extent provided in subsection (d) of § 8.9A-316.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":260082,"text":"Except as otherwise provided in this section or § 29.1-733.29, a security interest in a watercraft shall be perfected only by delivery to the Department of an application for a certificate of title that identifies the secured party and otherwise complies with § 29.1-733.7. The security interest is perfected on the later of delivery to the Department of the application and the applicable fee or attachment of the security interest under § 8.9A-203.","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"B"},"1":{"id":260083,"text":"If the interest of a person named as owner, lessor, consignor, or bailor in an application for a certificate of title delivered to the Department is a security interest, the application sufficiently identifies the person as a secured party. Identification on the application for a certificate of a person as owner, lessor, consignor, or bailor is not by itself a factor in determining whether the person’s interest is a security interest.","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"C"},"2":{"id":260084,"text":"If the Department has created a certificate of title for a watercraft, a security interest in the watercraft shall be perfected by delivery to the Department of an application, on a form the Department shall require, to have the security interest added to the certificate. The application shall be signed by an owner of the watercraft or by the secured party and shall include:","type":"section","prefixes":["C"],"prefix":"C","entire_prefix":"C","prefix_anchor":"C","level":1,"prior_prefix":"B","next_prefix":"C1"},"3":{"id":260085,"text":"The name of the owner of record;","type":"section","prefixes":["C","1"],"prefix":"1","entire_prefix":"C1","prefix_anchor":"C1","level":2,"prior_prefix":"C","next_prefix":"C2"},"4":{"id":260086,"text":"The name and mailing address of the secured party;","type":"section","prefixes":["C","2"],"prefix":"2","entire_prefix":"C2","prefix_anchor":"C2","level":2,"prior_prefix":"C1","next_prefix":"C3"},"5":{"id":260087,"text":"The hull identification number for the watercraft; and","type":"section","prefixes":["C","3"],"prefix":"3","entire_prefix":"C3","prefix_anchor":"C3","level":2,"prior_prefix":"C2","next_prefix":"C4"},"6":{"id":260088,"text":"If the Department has created a written certificate of title for the watercraft, the certificate.","type":"section","prefixes":["C","4"],"prefix":"4","entire_prefix":"C4","prefix_anchor":"C4","level":2,"prior_prefix":"C3","next_prefix":"D"},"7":{"id":260089,"text":"A security interest perfected under subsection C is perfected on the later of delivery to the Department of the application and all applicable fees or attachment of the security interest under § 8.9A-203.","type":"section","prefixes":["D"],"prefix":"D","entire_prefix":"D","prefix_anchor":"D","level":1,"prior_prefix":"C4","next_prefix":"E"},"8":{"id":260090,"text":"On delivery of an application that complies with subsection C and payment of all applicable fees, the Department shall create a new certificate of title pursuant to § 29.1-733.8 and deliver the new certificate or a record evidencing an electronic certificate pursuant to subsection A of § 29.1-733.12. The Department shall maintain in the files of the Department the date and time of delivery of the application to the Department.","type":"section","prefixes":["E"],"prefix":"E","entire_prefix":"E","prefix_anchor":"E","level":1,"prior_prefix":"D","next_prefix":"F"},"9":{"id":260091,"text":"If a secured party assigns a perfected security interest in a watercraft, the receipt by the Department of a statement providing the name of the assignee as secured party is not required to continue the perfected status of the security interest against creditors of and transferees from the original debtor. A purchaser of a watercraft subject to a security interest that obtains a release from the secured party indicated in the files of the Department or on the certificate takes free of the security interest and of the rights of a transferee unless the transfer is indicated in the files of the Department or on the certificate.","type":"section","prefixes":["F"],"prefix":"F","entire_prefix":"F","prefix_anchor":"F","level":1,"prior_prefix":"E","next_prefix":"G"},"10":{"id":260092,"text":"This section does not apply to a security interest:","type":"section","prefixes":["G"],"prefix":"G","entire_prefix":"G","prefix_anchor":"G","level":1,"prior_prefix":"F","next_prefix":"G1"},"11":{"id":260093,"text":"In a watercraft by a person during any period in which the watercraft is inventory held for sale or lease by the person or is leased by the person as lessor if the person is in the business of selling watercraft;","type":"section","prefixes":["G","1"],"prefix":"1","entire_prefix":"G1","prefix_anchor":"G1","level":2,"prior_prefix":"G","next_prefix":"G2"},"12":{"id":260094,"text":"In a barge for which no application for a certificate of title has been delivered to the Department; or","type":"section","prefixes":["G","2"],"prefix":"2","entire_prefix":"G2","prefix_anchor":"G2","level":2,"prior_prefix":"G1","next_prefix":"G3"},"13":{"id":260095,"text":"In a watercraft before delivery if the watercraft is under construction, or completed, pursuant to contract and for which no application for a certificate has been delivered to the Department.","type":"section","prefixes":["G","3"],"prefix":"3","entire_prefix":"G3","prefix_anchor":"G3","level":2,"prior_prefix":"G2","next_prefix":"H"},"14":{"id":260096,"text":"This subsection applies if a certificate of documentation for a documented vessel is deleted or canceled. If a security interest in the watercraft was valid immediately before deletion or cancellation against a third party as a result of compliance with 46 U.S.C. § 31321, the security interest is and remains perfected until the earlier of four months after cancellation of the certificate or the time the security interest becomes perfected under this article.","type":"section","prefixes":["H"],"prefix":"H","entire_prefix":"H","prefix_anchor":"H","level":1,"prior_prefix":"G3","next_prefix":"I"},"15":{"id":260097,"text":"A security interest in a watercraft arising under § 8.2-401 or 8.2-505, subsection (3) of § 8.2-711, or subsection (5) of § 8.2A-508 is perfected when it attaches but becomes unperfected when the debtor obtains possession of the watercraft, unless before the debtor obtains possession the security interest is perfected pursuant to subsection A or C.","type":"section","prefixes":["I"],"prefix":"I","entire_prefix":"I","prefix_anchor":"I","level":1,"prior_prefix":"H","next_prefix":"J"},"16":{"id":260098,"text":"A security interest in a watercraft as proceeds of other collateral is perfected to the extent provided in § 8.9A-315.","type":"section","prefixes":["J"],"prefix":"J","entire_prefix":"J","prefix_anchor":"J","level":1,"prior_prefix":"I","next_prefix":"K"},"17":{"id":260099,"text":"A security interest in a watercraft perfected under the law of another jurisdiction is perfected to the extent provided in subsection (d) of § 8.9A-316.","type":"section","prefixes":["K"],"prefix":"K","entire_prefix":"K","prefix_anchor":"K","level":1,"prior_prefix":"J"}},"ancestry":[{"id":13228,"edition_id":1,"name":"Virginia Uniform Certificate of Title for Watercraft Act","identifier":"2.1","label":"article","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":13227,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:44:29","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:44:29","permalink":{"id":193527,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13228,"identifier":"2.1","token":"29.1\/7\/2.1","url":"\/29.1\/7\/2.1\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":13227,"edition_id":1,"name":"Boating Laws","identifier":"7","label":"chapter","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12934,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:44:29","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:44:29","permalink":{"id":193453,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13227,"identifier":"7","token":"29.1\/7","url":"\/29.1\/7\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12934,"edition_id":1,"name":"Wildlife, Inland Fisheries and Boating","identifier":"29.1","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":1,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:44:03","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:44:03","permalink":{"id":192277,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12934,"identifier":"29.1","token":"29.1","url":"\/29.1\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":59450,"structure_id":13228,"section_number":"29.1-733.10","catch_line":"Title brand","url":"\/29.1-733.10\/","token":"29.1\/7\/2.1\/29.1-733.10","metadata":false},{"id":66488,"structure_id":13228,"section_number":"29.1-733.11","catch_line":"Maintenance of and access to files","url":"\/29.1-733.11\/","token":"29.1\/7\/2.1\/29.1-733.11","metadata":false},{"id":81845,"structure_id":13228,"section_number":"29.1-733.12","catch_line":"Action required on creation of certificate of title","url":"\/29.1-733.12\/","token":"29.1\/7\/2.1\/29.1-733.12","metadata":false},{"id":84270,"structure_id":13228,"section_number":"29.1-733.13","catch_line":"Effect of certificate of title","url":"\/29.1-733.13\/","token":"29.1\/7\/2.1\/29.1-733.13","metadata":false},{"id":85781,"structure_id":13228,"section_number":"29.1-733.14","catch_line":"Effect of possession of certificate of title; judicial process; levy; penalty","url":"\/29.1-733.14\/","token":"29.1\/7\/2.1\/29.1-733.14","metadata":false},{"id":72201,"structure_id":13228,"section_number":"29.1-733.15","catch_line":"Perfection of security interest","url":"\/29.1-733.15\/","token":"29.1\/7\/2.1\/29.1-733.15","metadata":false},{"id":82562,"structure_id":13228,"section_number":"29.1-733.16","catch_line":"Termination statement; delivery of certificate of title; penalty","url":"\/29.1-733.16\/","token":"29.1\/7\/2.1\/29.1-733.16","metadata":false},{"id":72284,"structure_id":13228,"section_number":"29.1-733.17","catch_line":"Transfer of ownership","url":"\/29.1-733.17\/","token":"29.1\/7\/2.1\/29.1-733.17","metadata":false},{"id":64392,"structure_id":13228,"section_number":"29.1-733.18","catch_line":"Effect of missing or incorrect information","url":"\/29.1-733.18\/","token":"29.1\/7\/2.1\/29.1-733.18","metadata":false},{"id":64029,"structure_id":13228,"section_number":"29.1-733.19","catch_line":"Transfer of ownership by secured party's transfer statement","url":"\/29.1-733.19\/","token":"29.1\/7\/2.1\/29.1-733.19","metadata":false},{"id":76938,"structure_id":13228,"section_number":"29.1-733.2","catch_line":"Definitions","url":"\/29.1-733.2\/","token":"29.1\/7\/2.1\/29.1-733.2","metadata":false},{"id":54234,"structure_id":13228,"section_number":"29.1-733.20","catch_line":"Transfer by operation of law","url":"\/29.1-733.20\/","token":"29.1\/7\/2.1\/29.1-733.20","metadata":false},{"id":80512,"structure_id":13228,"section_number":"29.1-733.21","catch_line":"Application for transfer of ownership or termination of security interest without certificate of title","url":"\/29.1-733.21\/","token":"29.1\/7\/2.1\/29.1-733.21","metadata":false},{"id":59034,"structure_id":13228,"section_number":"29.1-733.22","catch_line":"Replacement certificate of title","url":"\/29.1-733.22\/","token":"29.1\/7\/2.1\/29.1-733.22","metadata":false},{"id":82240,"structure_id":13228,"section_number":"29.1-733.23","catch_line":"Rights of purchaser other than secured party","url":"\/29.1-733.23\/","token":"29.1\/7\/2.1\/29.1-733.23","metadata":false},{"id":70415,"structure_id":13228,"section_number":"29.1-733.24","catch_line":"Rights of secured party","url":"\/29.1-733.24\/","token":"29.1\/7\/2.1\/29.1-733.24","metadata":false},{"id":55510,"structure_id":13228,"section_number":"29.1-733.25","catch_line":"Acquiring title to an abandoned watercraft","url":"\/29.1-733.25\/","token":"29.1\/7\/2.1\/29.1-733.25","metadata":false},{"id":58657,"structure_id":13228,"section_number":"29.1-733.26","catch_line":"Duties and operation of the Department","url":"\/29.1-733.26\/","token":"29.1\/7\/2.1\/29.1-733.26","metadata":false},{"id":74341,"structure_id":13228,"section_number":"29.1-733.27","catch_line":"Uniformity of application and construction","url":"\/29.1-733.27\/","token":"29.1\/7\/2.1\/29.1-733.27","metadata":false},{"id":80225,"structure_id":13228,"section_number":"29.1-733.28","catch_line":"Relationship to Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act","url":"\/29.1-733.28\/","token":"29.1\/7\/2.1\/29.1-733.28","metadata":false},{"id":66326,"structure_id":13228,"section_number":"29.1-733.29","catch_line":"Savings clause","url":"\/29.1-733.29\/","token":"29.1\/7\/2.1\/29.1-733.29","metadata":false},{"id":83150,"structure_id":13228,"section_number":"29.1-733.3","catch_line":"Applicability","url":"\/29.1-733.3\/","token":"29.1\/7\/2.1\/29.1-733.3","metadata":false},{"id":67036,"structure_id":13228,"section_number":"29.1-733.4","catch_line":"Supplemental principles of law and equity","url":"\/29.1-733.4\/","token":"29.1\/7\/2.1\/29.1-733.4","metadata":false},{"id":73968,"structure_id":13228,"section_number":"29.1-733.5","catch_line":"Law governing watercraft covered by certificate of title","url":"\/29.1-733.5\/","token":"29.1\/7\/2.1\/29.1-733.5","metadata":false},{"id":87192,"structure_id":13228,"section_number":"29.1-733.6","catch_line":"Certificate of title required","url":"\/29.1-733.6\/","token":"29.1\/7\/2.1\/29.1-733.6","metadata":false},{"id":68953,"structure_id":13228,"section_number":"29.1-733.7","catch_line":"Application for certificate of title","url":"\/29.1-733.7\/","token":"29.1\/7\/2.1\/29.1-733.7","metadata":false},{"id":57724,"structure_id":13228,"section_number":"29.1-733.8","catch_line":"Creation and cancellation of certificate of title","url":"\/29.1-733.8\/","token":"29.1\/7\/2.1\/29.1-733.8","metadata":false},{"id":83895,"structure_id":13228,"section_number":"29.1-733.9","catch_line":"Content of certificate of title","url":"\/29.1-733.9\/","token":"29.1\/7\/2.1\/29.1-733.9","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":85781,"structure_id":13228,"section_number":"29.1-733.14","catch_line":"Effect of possession of certificate of title; judicial process; levy; penalty","url":"\/29.1-733.14\/","token":"29.1\/7\/2.1\/29.1-733.14","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":82562,"structure_id":13228,"section_number":"29.1-733.16","catch_line":"Termination statement; delivery of certificate of title; penalty","url":"\/29.1-733.16\/","token":"29.1\/7\/2.1\/29.1-733.16","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/29.1-733.15\/","history_text":"

This law was first created in 2013. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter 787<\/a> of that year\u2019s edition of \u201cActs of Assembly,\u201d the annual state publication listing all changes made to the Code of Virginia in that year.<\/p>","references":[{"id":70415,"section_number":"29.1-733.24","catch_line":"Rights of secured party","order_by":null,"url":"\/29.1-733.24\/"},{"id":68953,"section_number":"29.1-733.7","catch_line":"Application for certificate of title","order_by":null,"url":"\/29.1-733.7\/"},{"id":83895,"section_number":"29.1-733.9","catch_line":"Content of certificate of title","order_by":null,"url":"\/29.1-733.9\/"}],"refers_to":[{"id":81845,"section_number":"29.1-733.12","catch_line":"Action required on creation of certificate of title","order_by":null,"url":"\/29.1-733.12\/"},{"id":66326,"section_number":"29.1-733.29","catch_line":"Savings clause","order_by":null,"url":"\/29.1-733.29\/"},{"id":68953,"section_number":"29.1-733.7","catch_line":"Application for certificate of title","order_by":null,"url":"\/29.1-733.7\/"},{"id":57724,"section_number":"29.1-733.8","catch_line":"Creation and cancellation of certificate of title","order_by":null,"url":"\/29.1-733.8\/"},{"id":64663,"section_number":"8.2-401","catch_line":"Passing of title; reservation for security; limited application of this section","order_by":null,"url":"\/8.2-401\/"},{"id":65205,"section_number":"8.2-505","catch_line":"Seller's shipment under reservation","order_by":null,"url":"\/8.2-505\/"},{"id":71698,"section_number":"8.2-711","catch_line":"Buyer's remedies in general; buyer's security interest in rejected goods","order_by":null,"url":"\/8.2-711\/"},{"id":62750,"section_number":"8.2A-508","catch_line":"Lessee's remedies","order_by":null,"url":"\/8.2A-508\/"},{"id":82133,"section_number":"8.9A-316","catch_line":"Effect of change in governing law","order_by":null,"url":"\/8.9A-316\/"}],"permalink":{"id":193549,"object_type":"law","relational_id":72201,"identifier":"29.1-733.15","token":"29.1\/7\/2.1\/29.1-733.15","url":"\/29.1-733.15\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/29.1-733.15\/","token":"29.1\/7\/2.1\/29.1-733.15","dublin_core":{"Title":"Perfection of security interest","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 29.1-733.15","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A.<\/span> Except as otherwise provided in this section or § 29.1-733.29<\/a>, a security interest<\/span> in a watercraft<\/span> shall be perfected only by delivery to the Department<\/span> of an application for a certificate of title<\/span> that identifies the secured party<\/span> and otherwise complies with § 29.1-733.7<\/a>. The security interest<\/span> is perfected on the later of delivery to the Department<\/span> of the application and the applicable fee or attachment<\/span> of the security interest<\/span> under § 8.9A-203<\/a>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

B.<\/span> If the interest of a person<\/span> named as owner<\/span>, lessor<\/span>, consignor, or bailor in an application for a certificate of title<\/span> delivered to the Department<\/span> is a security interest<\/span>, the application sufficiently identifies the person<\/span> as a secured party<\/span>. Identification on the application for a certificate of a person<\/span> as owner<\/span>, lessor<\/span>, consignor, or bailor is not by itself a factor in determining whether the person<\/span>’s interest is a security interest<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

C.<\/span> If the Department<\/span> has created a certificate of title<\/span> for a watercraft<\/span>, a security interest<\/span> in the watercraft<\/span> shall be perfected by delivery to the Department<\/span> of an application, on a form the Department<\/span> shall require, to have the security interest<\/span> added to the certificate. The application shall be signed by an owner<\/span> of the watercraft<\/span> or by the secured party<\/span> and shall include: <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

1.<\/span> The name of the owner of record<\/span>; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

2.<\/span> The name and mailing address of the secured party<\/span>; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

3.<\/span> The hull identification number<\/span> for the watercraft<\/span>; and <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

4.<\/span> If the Department<\/span> has created a written certificate of title<\/span><\/span> for the watercraft<\/span>, the certificate. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

D.<\/span> A security interest<\/span> perfected under subsection C is perfected on the later of delivery to the Department<\/span> of the application and all applicable fees or attachment<\/span> of the security interest<\/span> under § 8.9A-203<\/a>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

E.<\/span> On delivery of an application that complies with subsection C and payment of all applicable fees, the Department<\/span> shall create a new certificate of title<\/span> pursuant to § 29.1-733.8<\/a> and deliver the new certificate or a record evidencing an electronic<\/span> certificate pursuant to subsection A of § 29.1-733.12<\/a>. The Department<\/span> shall maintain in the files of the Department<\/span> the date and time of delivery of the application to the Department<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

F.<\/span> If a secured party<\/span> assigns a perfected security interest<\/span> in a watercraft<\/span>, the receipt by the Department<\/span> of a statement providing the name of the assignee as secured party<\/span> is not required to continue the perfected status of the security interest<\/span> against creditors<\/span> of and transferees from the original debtor<\/span>. A purchaser<\/span> of a watercraft<\/span> subject to a security interest<\/span> that obtains a release from the secured party<\/span> indicated in the files of the Department<\/span> or on the certificate takes free of the security interest<\/span> and of the rights of a transferee unless the transfer is indicated in the files of the Department<\/span> or on the certificate. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

G.<\/span> This section does not apply to a security interest<\/span>: <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

1.<\/span> In a watercraft<\/span> by a person<\/span> during any period in which the watercraft<\/span> is inventory held for sale<\/span> or lease<\/span> by the person<\/span> or is leased by the person<\/span> as lessor<\/span> if the person<\/span> is in the business of selling watercraft<\/span>; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

2.<\/span> In a barge<\/span> for which no application for a certificate of title<\/span> has been delivered to the Department<\/span>; or <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

3.<\/span> In a watercraft<\/span> before delivery if the watercraft<\/span> is under construction, or completed, pursuant to contract<\/span> and for which no application for a certificate has been delivered to the Department<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

H.<\/span> This subsection applies if a certificate of documentation for a documented vessel<\/span> is deleted or canceled. If a security interest<\/span> in the watercraft<\/span> was valid immediately before deletion or cancellation against a third party<\/span> as a result of compliance with 46 U.S.C. § 31321, the security interest<\/span> is and remains perfected until the earlier of four months after cancellation of the certificate or the time the security interest<\/span> becomes perfected under this article. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

I.<\/span> A security interest<\/span> in a watercraft<\/span> arising under § 8.2-401<\/a> or 8.2-505<\/a>, subsection (3) of § 8.2-711<\/a>, or subsection (5) of § 8.2A-508<\/a> is perfected when it attaches but becomes unperfected when the debtor<\/span> obtains possession<\/span> of the watercraft<\/span>, unless before the debtor<\/span> obtains possession<\/span> the security interest<\/span> is perfected pursuant to subsection A or C. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

J.<\/span> A security interest<\/span> in a watercraft<\/span> as proceeds of other collateral<\/span> is perfected to the extent provided in § 8.9A-315<\/a>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

K.<\/span> A security interest<\/span> in a watercraft<\/span> perfected under the law<\/span> of another jurisdiction<\/span> is perfected to the extent provided in subsection (d) of § 8.9A-316<\/a>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nPERFECTION OF SECURITY INTEREST (\u00a7 29.1-733.15)\n\nA. Except as otherwise provided in this section or § 29.1-733.29, a\nsecurity interest in a watercraft shall be perfected only by delivery to the\nDepartment of an application for a certificate of title that identifies the\nsecured party and otherwise complies with § 29.1-733.7. The security\ninterest is perfected on the later of delivery to the Department of the\napplication and the applicable fee or attachment of the security interest under\n§ 8.9A-203.\n\nB. If the interest of a person named as owner, lessor, consignor, or bailor in\nan application for a certificate of title delivered to the Department is a\nsecurity interest, the application sufficiently identifies the person as a\nsecured party. Identification on the application for a certificate of a person\nas owner, lessor, consignor, or bailor is not by itself a factor in determining\nwhether the person’s interest is a security interest.\n\nC. If the Department has created a certificate of title for a watercraft, a\nsecurity interest in the watercraft shall be perfected by delivery to the\nDepartment of an application, on a form the Department shall require, to have\nthe security interest added to the certificate. The application shall be signed\nby an owner of the watercraft or by the secured party and shall include:\n\n 1. The name of the owner of record;\n\n 2. The name and mailing address of the secured party;\n\n 3. The hull identification number for the watercraft; and\n\n 4. If the Department has created a written certificate of title for the\n watercraft, the certificate.\n\nD. A security interest perfected under subsection C is perfected on the later of\ndelivery to the Department of the application and all applicable fees or\nattachment of the security interest under § 8.9A-203.\n\nE. On delivery of an application that complies with subsection C and payment of\nall applicable fees, the Department shall create a new certificate of title\npursuant to § 29.1-733.8 and deliver the new certificate or a record\nevidencing an electronic certificate pursuant to subsection A of §\n29.1-733.12. The Department shall maintain in the files of the Department the\ndate and time of delivery of the application to the Department.\n\nF. If a secured party assigns a perfected security interest in a watercraft, the\nreceipt by the Department of a statement providing the name of the assignee as\nsecured party is not required to continue the perfected status of the security\ninterest against creditors of and transferees from the original debtor. A\npurchaser of a watercraft subject to a security interest that obtains a release\nfrom the secured party indicated in the files of the Department or on the\ncertificate takes free of the security interest and of the rights of a\ntransferee unless the transfer is indicated in the files of the Department or on\nthe certificate.\n\nG. This section does not apply to a security interest:\n\n 1. In a watercraft by a person during any period in which the watercraft is\n inventory held for sale or lease by the person or is leased by the person as\n lessor if the person is in the business of selling watercraft;\n\n 2. In a barge for which no application for a certificate of title has been\n delivered to the Department; or\n\n 3. In a watercraft before delivery if the watercraft is under construction, or\n completed, pursuant to contract and for which no application for a certificate\n has been delivered to the Department.\n\nH. This subsection applies if a certificate of documentation for a documented\nvessel is deleted or canceled. If a security interest in the watercraft was\nvalid immediately before deletion or cancellation against a third party as a\nresult of compliance with 46 U.S.C. § 31321, the security interest is and\nremains perfected until the earlier of four months after cancellation of the\ncertificate or the time the security interest becomes perfected under this\narticle.\n\nI. A security interest in a watercraft arising under § 8.2-401 or 8.2-505,\nsubsection (3) of § 8.2-711, or subsection (5) of § 8.2A-508 is\nperfected when it attaches but becomes unperfected when the debtor obtains\npossession of the watercraft, unless before the debtor obtains possession the\nsecurity interest is perfected pursuant to subsection A or C.\n\nJ. A security interest in a watercraft as proceeds of other collateral is\nperfected to the extent provided in § 8.9A-315.\n\nK. A security interest in a watercraft perfected under the law of another\njurisdiction is perfected to the extent provided in subsection (d) of §\n8.9A-316.\n\nHISTORY: 2013, c. 787.","edition":{"id":1,"name":"2025","slug":"2025","date_created":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","date_modified":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","current":1,"order_by":1,"last_import":null}}