{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/29.1-733.26.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/29.1-733.26.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/29.1-733.26.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/29.1-733.26.html"}],"law_id":58657,"edition_id":1,"section_id":58657,"structure_id":13228,"section_number":"29.1-733.26","catch_line":"Duties and operation of the Department","history":"2013, c. 787.","full_text":"A\n\nThe Department shall retain the evidence used to establish the accuracy of the information in its files relating to the current ownership of a watercraft and the information on the certificate of title.B\n\nThe Department shall retain in its files all information regarding a security interest in a watercraft for at least 10 years after the Department receives a termination statement regarding the security interest. The information shall be accessible by the hull identification number for the watercraft and any other methods provided by the Department.C\n\nIf a person submits a record to the Department, or submits information that is accepted by the Department, and requests an acknowledgment of the filing or submission, the Department shall send to the person an acknowledgment showing the hull identification number of the watercraft to which the record or submission relates, the information in the filed record or submission, and the date and time the record was received or the submission accepted. A request under this section shall contain the hull identification number and be delivered by means authorized by the Department.D\n\nThe Department shall send or otherwise make available in a record the following information to any person that requests it and pays the applicable fee:1\n\nWhether the files of the Department indicate, as of a date and time specified by the Department, but not a date earlier than three days before the Department received the request, any certificate of title, security interest, termination statement, or title brand that relates to a watercraft:\n\t\t\t\ta. Identified by a hull identification number designated in the request;\n\t\t\t\tb. Identified by a registration number designated in the request; or\n\t\t\t\tc. Owned by a person designated in the request;2\n\nWith respect to the watercraft:\n\t\t\t\ta. The name and address of any owner as indicated in the files of the Department or on the certificate of title;\n\t\t\t\tb. The name and address of any secured party as indicated in the files of the Department or on the certificate, and the effective date of the information; and\n\t\t\t\tc. A copy of any termination statement indicated in the files of the Department and the effective date of the termination statement; and3\n\nWith respect to the watercraft, a copy of any certificate of origin, secured party transfer statement, transfer by law statement under § 29.1-733.20, and other evidence of previous or current transfers of ownership.E\n\nIn responding to a request under this section, the Department shall provide the requested information in any medium. On request, the Department shall send the requested information in a record that is self-authenticating.F\n\nEmployees of the Department are authorized to administer oaths and take acknowledgments and affidavits incidental to the administration and enforcement of this article. They shall receive no compensation for these services.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":214984,"text":"The Department shall retain the evidence used to establish the accuracy of the information in its files relating to the current ownership of a watercraft and the information on the certificate of title.","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"B"},"1":{"id":214985,"text":"The Department shall retain in its files all information regarding a security interest in a watercraft for at least 10 years after the Department receives a termination statement regarding the security interest. The information shall be accessible by the hull identification number for the watercraft and any other methods provided by the Department.","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"C"},"2":{"id":214986,"text":"If a person submits a record to the Department, or submits information that is accepted by the Department, and requests an acknowledgment of the filing or submission, the Department shall send to the person an acknowledgment showing the hull identification number of the watercraft to which the record or submission relates, the information in the filed record or submission, and the date and time the record was received or the submission accepted. A request under this section shall contain the hull identification number and be delivered by means authorized by the Department.","type":"section","prefixes":["C"],"prefix":"C","entire_prefix":"C","prefix_anchor":"C","level":1,"prior_prefix":"B","next_prefix":"D"},"3":{"id":214987,"text":"The Department shall send or otherwise make available in a record the following information to any person that requests it and pays the applicable fee:","type":"section","prefixes":["D"],"prefix":"D","entire_prefix":"D","prefix_anchor":"D","level":1,"prior_prefix":"C","next_prefix":"D1"},"4":{"id":214988,"text":"Whether the files of the Department indicate, as of a date and time specified by the Department, but not a date earlier than three days before the Department received the request, any certificate of title, security interest, termination statement, or title brand that relates to a watercraft:\n\t\t\t\ta. Identified by a hull identification number designated in the request;\n\t\t\t\tb. Identified by a registration number designated in the request; or\n\t\t\t\tc. Owned by a person designated in the request;","type":"section","prefixes":["D","1"],"prefix":"1","entire_prefix":"D1","prefix_anchor":"D1","level":2,"prior_prefix":"D","next_prefix":"D2"},"5":{"id":214989,"text":"With respect to the watercraft:\n\t\t\t\ta. The name and address of any owner as indicated in the files of the Department or on the certificate of title;\n\t\t\t\tb. The name and address of any secured party as indicated in the files of the Department or on the certificate, and the effective date of the information; and\n\t\t\t\tc. A copy of any termination statement indicated in the files of the Department and the effective date of the termination statement; and","type":"section","prefixes":["D","2"],"prefix":"2","entire_prefix":"D2","prefix_anchor":"D2","level":2,"prior_prefix":"D1","next_prefix":"D3"},"6":{"id":214990,"text":"With respect to the watercraft, a copy of any certificate of origin, secured party transfer statement, transfer by law statement under § 29.1-733.20, and other evidence of previous or current transfers of ownership.","type":"section","prefixes":["D","3"],"prefix":"3","entire_prefix":"D3","prefix_anchor":"D3","level":2,"prior_prefix":"D2","next_prefix":"E"},"7":{"id":214991,"text":"In responding to a request under this section, the Department shall provide the requested information in any medium. On request, the Department shall send the requested information in a record that is self-authenticating.","type":"section","prefixes":["E"],"prefix":"E","entire_prefix":"E","prefix_anchor":"E","level":1,"prior_prefix":"D3","next_prefix":"F"},"8":{"id":214992,"text":"Employees of the Department are authorized to administer oaths and take acknowledgments and affidavits incidental to the administration and enforcement of this article. They shall receive no compensation for these services.","type":"section","prefixes":["F"],"prefix":"F","entire_prefix":"F","prefix_anchor":"F","level":1,"prior_prefix":"E"}},"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":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},"next_section":{"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},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/29.1-733.26\/","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":false,"refers_to":[{"id":54234,"section_number":"29.1-733.20","catch_line":"Transfer by operation of law","order_by":null,"url":"\/29.1-733.20\/"}],"permalink":{"id":193597,"object_type":"law","relational_id":58657,"identifier":"29.1-733.26","token":"29.1\/7\/2.1\/29.1-733.26","url":"\/29.1-733.26\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/29.1-733.26\/","token":"29.1\/7\/2.1\/29.1-733.26","dublin_core":{"Title":"Duties and operation of the Department","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 29.1-733.26","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A.<\/span> The Department<\/span> shall retain the evidence<\/span> used to establish the accuracy of the information in its files relating to the current ownership of a watercraft<\/span> and the information on the certificate of title<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

B.<\/span> The Department<\/span> shall retain in its files all information regarding a security interest<\/span> in a watercraft<\/span> for at least 10 years after the Department<\/span> receives a termination statement regarding the security interest<\/span>. The information shall be accessible by the hull identification number<\/span> for the watercraft<\/span> and any other methods provided by the Department<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

C.<\/span> If a person<\/span> submits a record<\/span> to the Department<\/span>, or submits information that is accepted by the Department<\/span>, and requests an acknowledgment of the filing or submission, the Department<\/span> shall send<\/span> to the person<\/span> an acknowledgment showing the hull identification number<\/span> of the watercraft<\/span> to which the record<\/span> or submission relates, the information in the filed record<\/span> or submission, and the date and time the record<\/span> was received or the submission accepted. A request under this section shall contain the hull identification number<\/span> and be delivered by means authorized by the Department<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

D.<\/span> The Department<\/span> shall send<\/span> or otherwise make available in a record<\/span> the following information to any person<\/span> that requests it and pays the applicable fee: <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

1.<\/span> Whether the files of the Department<\/span> indicate, as of a date and time specified by the Department<\/span>, but not a date earlier than three days before the Department<\/span> received the request, any certificate of title<\/span>, security interest<\/span>, termination statement, or title brand<\/span> that relates to a watercraft<\/span>:\n\t\t\t\ta. Identified by a hull identification number<\/span> designated in the request;\n\t\t\t\tb. Identified by a registration number<\/span> designated in the request; or\n\t\t\t\tc. Owned by a person<\/span> designated in the request; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

2.<\/span> With respect to the watercraft<\/span>:\n\t\t\t\ta. The name and address of any owner<\/span> as indicated in the files of the Department<\/span> or on the certificate of title<\/span>;\n\t\t\t\tb. The name and address of any secured party<\/span> as indicated in the files of the Department<\/span> or on the certificate, and the effective date of the information; and\n\t\t\t\tc. A copy of any termination statement indicated in the files of the Department<\/span> and the effective date of the termination statement; and <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

3.<\/span> With respect to the watercraft<\/span>, a copy of any certificate of origin<\/span>, secured party<\/span> transfer statement, transfer by law<\/span> statement under § 29.1-733.20<\/a>, and other evidence<\/span> of previous or current transfers of ownership. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

E.<\/span> In responding to a request under this section, the Department<\/span> shall provide the requested information in any medium. On request, the Department<\/span> shall send<\/span> the requested information in a record<\/span> that is self-authenticating. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

F.<\/span> Employees of the Department<\/span> are authorized to administer oaths<\/span> and take acknowledgments and affidavits<\/span> incidental to the administration and enforcement of this article. They shall receive no compensation for these services. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nDUTIES AND OPERATION OF THE DEPARTMENT (\u00a7 29.1-733.26)\n\nA. The Department shall retain the evidence used to establish the accuracy of\nthe information in its files relating to the current ownership of a watercraft\nand the information on the certificate of title.\n\nB. The Department shall retain in its files all information regarding a security\ninterest in a watercraft for at least 10 years after the Department receives a\ntermination statement regarding the security interest. The information shall be\naccessible by the hull identification number for the watercraft and any other\nmethods provided by the Department.\n\nC. If a person submits a record to the Department, or submits information that\nis accepted by the Department, and requests an acknowledgment of the filing or\nsubmission, the Department shall send to the person an acknowledgment showing\nthe hull identification number of the watercraft to which the record or\nsubmission relates, the information in the filed record or submission, and the\ndate and time the record was received or the submission accepted. A request\nunder this section shall contain the hull identification number and be delivered\nby means authorized by the Department.\n\nD. The Department shall send or otherwise make available in a record the\nfollowing information to any person that requests it and pays the applicable\nfee:\n\n 1. Whether the files of the Department indicate, as of a date and time\n specified by the Department, but not a date earlier than three days before the\n Department received the request, any certificate of title, security interest,\n termination statement, or title brand that relates to a watercraft:\n \t\t\t\ta. Identified by a hull identification number designated in the request;\n \t\t\t\tb. Identified by a registration number designated in the request; or\n \t\t\t\tc. Owned by a person designated in the request;\n\n 2. With respect to the watercraft:\n \t\t\t\ta. The name and address of any owner as indicated in the files of the\n Department or on the certificate of title;\n \t\t\t\tb. The name and address of any secured party as indicated in the files of\n the Department or on the certificate, and the effective date of the\n information; and\n \t\t\t\tc. A copy of any termination statement indicated in the files of the\n Department and the effective date of the termination statement; and\n\n 3. With respect to the watercraft, a copy of any certificate of origin,\n secured party transfer statement, transfer by law statement under §\n 29.1-733.20, and other evidence of previous or current transfers of ownership.\n\nE. In responding to a request under this section, the Department shall provide\nthe requested information in any medium. On request, the Department shall send\nthe requested information in a record that is self-authenticating.\n\nF. Employees of the Department are authorized to administer oaths and take\nacknowledgments and affidavits incidental to the administration and enforcement\nof this article. They shall receive no compensation for these services.\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}}