{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/29.1-733.17.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/29.1-733.17.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/29.1-733.17.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/29.1-733.17.html"}],"law_id":72284,"edition_id":1,"section_id":72284,"structure_id":13228,"section_number":"29.1-733.17","catch_line":"Transfer of ownership","history":"2013, c. 787.","full_text":"A\n\nOn voluntary transfer of an ownership interest in a watercraft covered by a certificate of title, the following rules apply:1\n\nIf the certificate is a written certificate of title and the transferor&#8217;s interest is noted on the certificate, the transferor promptly shall sign the certificate and deliver it to the transferee. If the transferor does not have possession of the certificate, the person in possession of the certificate has a duty to facilitate the transferor&#8217;s compliance with this subdivision. A secured party does not have a duty to facilitate the transferor&#8217;s compliance with this subdivision if the proposed transfer is prohibited by the security agreement.2\n\nIf the certificate of title is an electronic certificate of title, the transferor promptly shall sign and deliver to the transferee a record evidencing the transfer of ownership to the transferee.3\n\nThe transferee has a right enforceable by specific performance to require the transferor comply with subdivision 1 or 2.B\n\nThe creation of a certificate of title identifying the transferee as owner of record satisfies subsection A.C\n\nA failure to comply with subsection A or to apply for a new certificate of title does not render a transfer of ownership of a watercraft ineffective between the parties. Except as otherwise provided in &#xA7; 29.1-733.18, 29.1-733.19, 29.1-733.23, or 29.1-733.24, a transfer of ownership without compliance with subsection A is not effective against another person claiming an interest in the watercraft.D\n\nA transferor that complies with subsection A is not liable as owner of the watercraft for an event occurring after the transfer, regardless of whether the transferee applies for a new certificate of title.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":260369,"text":"On voluntary transfer of an ownership interest in a watercraft covered by a certificate of title, the following rules apply:","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"A1"},"1":{"id":260370,"text":"If the certificate is a written certificate of title and the transferor&#8217;s interest is noted on the certificate, the transferor promptly shall sign the certificate and deliver it to the transferee. If the transferor does not have possession of the certificate, the person in possession of the certificate has a duty to facilitate the transferor&#8217;s compliance with this subdivision. A secured party does not have a duty to facilitate the transferor&#8217;s compliance with this subdivision if the proposed transfer is prohibited by the security agreement.","type":"section","prefixes":["A","1"],"prefix":"1","entire_prefix":"A1","prefix_anchor":"A1","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"A2"},"2":{"id":260371,"text":"If the certificate of title is an electronic certificate of title, the transferor promptly shall sign and deliver to the transferee a record evidencing the transfer of ownership to the transferee.","type":"section","prefixes":["A","2"],"prefix":"2","entire_prefix":"A2","prefix_anchor":"A2","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A1","next_prefix":"A3"},"3":{"id":260372,"text":"The transferee has a right enforceable by specific performance to require the transferor comply with subdivision 1 or 2.","type":"section","prefixes":["A","3"],"prefix":"3","entire_prefix":"A3","prefix_anchor":"A3","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A2","next_prefix":"B"},"4":{"id":260373,"text":"The creation of a certificate of title identifying the transferee as owner of record satisfies subsection A.","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A3","next_prefix":"C"},"5":{"id":260374,"text":"A failure to comply with subsection A or to apply for a new certificate of title does not render a transfer of ownership of a watercraft ineffective between the parties. Except as otherwise provided in &#xA7; 29.1-733.18, 29.1-733.19, 29.1-733.23, or 29.1-733.24, a transfer of ownership without compliance with subsection A is not effective against another person claiming an interest in the watercraft.","type":"section","prefixes":["C"],"prefix":"C","entire_prefix":"C","prefix_anchor":"C","level":1,"prior_prefix":"B","next_prefix":"D"},"6":{"id":260375,"text":"A transferor that complies with subsection A is not liable as owner of the watercraft for an event occurring after the transfer, regardless of whether the transferee applies for a new certificate of title.","type":"section","prefixes":["D"],"prefix":"D","entire_prefix":"D","prefix_anchor":"D","level":1,"prior_prefix":"C"}},"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":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},"next_section":{"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},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/29.1-733.17\/","history_text":"<p>This law was first created in 2013. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?131+ful+CHAP0787\">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":82240,"section_number":"29.1-733.23","catch_line":"Rights of purchaser other than secured party","order_by":null,"url":"\/29.1-733.23\/"}],"refers_to":[{"id":64392,"section_number":"29.1-733.18","catch_line":"Effect of missing or incorrect information","order_by":null,"url":"\/29.1-733.18\/"},{"id":64029,"section_number":"29.1-733.19","catch_line":"Transfer of ownership by secured party's transfer statement","order_by":null,"url":"\/29.1-733.19\/"},{"id":82240,"section_number":"29.1-733.23","catch_line":"Rights of purchaser other than secured party","order_by":null,"url":"\/29.1-733.23\/"},{"id":70415,"section_number":"29.1-733.24","catch_line":"Rights of secured party","order_by":null,"url":"\/29.1-733.24\/"}],"permalink":{"id":193557,"object_type":"law","relational_id":72284,"identifier":"29.1-733.17","token":"29.1\/7\/2.1\/29.1-733.17","url":"\/29.1-733.17\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/29.1-733.17\/","token":"29.1\/7\/2.1\/29.1-733.17","dublin_core":{"Title":"Transfer of ownership","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 29.1-733.17","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"A\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">A.<\/span> On <span class=\"dictionary\">voluntary transfer<\/span> of an ownership interest in a <span class=\"dictionary\">watercraft<\/span> covered by a <span class=\"dictionary\">certificate of title<\/span>, the following rules apply: <a id=\"paragraph-260369\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/29.1-733.17\/#A\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"A1\" class=\"indent-1\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">1.<\/span> If the certificate is a <span class=\"dictionary\">written <span class=\"dictionary\">certificate of title<\/span><\/span> and the transferor&#8217;s interest is noted on the certificate, the transferor promptly shall sign the certificate and deliver it to the transferee. If the transferor does not have <span class=\"dictionary\">possession<\/span> of the certificate, the <span class=\"dictionary\">person<\/span> in <span class=\"dictionary\">possession<\/span> of the certificate has a duty to facilitate the transferor&#8217;s compliance with this subdivision. A secured <span class=\"dictionary\">party<\/span> does not have a duty to facilitate the transferor&#8217;s compliance with this subdivision if the proposed transfer is prohibited by the <span class=\"dictionary\">security agreement<\/span>. <a id=\"paragraph-260370\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/29.1-733.17\/#A1\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"A2\" class=\"indent-1\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">2.<\/span> If the <span class=\"dictionary\">certificate of title<\/span> is an <span class=\"dictionary\">electronic <span class=\"dictionary\">certificate of title<\/span><\/span>, the transferor promptly shall sign and deliver to the transferee a <span class=\"dictionary\">record<\/span> evidencing the <span class=\"dictionary\">transfer of ownership<\/span> to the transferee. <a id=\"paragraph-260371\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/29.1-733.17\/#A2\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"A3\" class=\"indent-1\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">3.<\/span> The transferee has a right enforceable by specific performance to require the transferor comply with subdivision 1 or 2. <a id=\"paragraph-260372\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/29.1-733.17\/#A3\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"B\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">B.<\/span> The creation of a <span class=\"dictionary\">certificate of title<\/span> identifying the transferee as <span class=\"dictionary\">owner of record<\/span> satisfies subsection A. <a id=\"paragraph-260373\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/29.1-733.17\/#B\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"C\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">C.<\/span> A failure to comply with subsection A or to apply for a new <span class=\"dictionary\">certificate of title<\/span> does not render a <span class=\"dictionary\">transfer of ownership<\/span> of a <span class=\"dictionary\">watercraft<\/span> ineffective between the parties. Except as otherwise provided in &#xA7; <a class=\"law\" title=\"Effect of missing or incorrect information\" href=\"\/29.1-733.18\/\">29.1-733.18<\/a>, <a class=\"law\" title=\"Transfer of ownership by secured party&#039;s transfer statement\" href=\"\/29.1-733.19\/\">29.1-733.19<\/a>, <a class=\"law\" title=\"Rights of purchaser other than secured party\" href=\"\/29.1-733.23\/\">29.1-733.23<\/a>, or <a class=\"law\" title=\"Rights of secured party\" href=\"\/29.1-733.24\/\">29.1-733.24<\/a>, a <span class=\"dictionary\">transfer of ownership<\/span> without compliance with subsection A is not effective against another <span class=\"dictionary\">person<\/span> claiming an interest in the <span class=\"dictionary\">watercraft<\/span>. <a id=\"paragraph-260374\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/29.1-733.17\/#C\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"D\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">D.<\/span> A transferor that complies with subsection A is not liable as owner of the <span class=\"dictionary\">watercraft<\/span> for an event occurring after the transfer, regardless of whether the transferee applies for a new <span class=\"dictionary\">certificate of title<\/span>. <a id=\"paragraph-260375\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/29.1-733.17\/#D\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":"                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nTRANSFER OF OWNERSHIP (\u00a7 29.1-733.17)\n\nA. On voluntary transfer of an ownership interest in a watercraft covered by a\ncertificate of title, the following rules apply:\n\n   1. If the certificate is a written certificate of title and the\n   transferor&#8217;s interest is noted on the certificate, the transferor\n   promptly shall sign the certificate and deliver it to the transferee. If the\n   transferor does not have possession of the certificate, the person in\n   possession of the certificate has a duty to facilitate the transferor&#8217;s\n   compliance with this subdivision. A secured party does not have a duty to\n   facilitate the transferor&#8217;s compliance with this subdivision if the\n   proposed transfer is prohibited by the security agreement.\n\n   2. If the certificate of title is an electronic certificate of title, the\n   transferor promptly shall sign and deliver to the transferee a record\n   evidencing the transfer of ownership to the transferee.\n\n   3. The transferee has a right enforceable by specific performance to require\n   the transferor comply with subdivision 1 or 2.\n\nB. The creation of a certificate of title identifying the transferee as owner of\nrecord satisfies subsection A.\n\nC. A failure to comply with subsection A or to apply for a new certificate of\ntitle does not render a transfer of ownership of a watercraft ineffective\nbetween the parties. Except as otherwise provided in &#xA7; 29.1-733.18,\n29.1-733.19, 29.1-733.23, or 29.1-733.24, a transfer of ownership without\ncompliance with subsection A is not effective against another person claiming an\ninterest in the watercraft.\n\nD. A transferor that complies with subsection A is not liable as owner of the\nwatercraft for an event occurring after the transfer, regardless of whether the\ntransferee applies for a new certificate of title.\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}}