{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/29.1-733.6.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/29.1-733.6.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/29.1-733.6.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/29.1-733.6.html"}],"law_id":87192,"edition_id":1,"section_id":87192,"structure_id":13228,"section_number":"29.1-733.6","catch_line":"Certificate of title required","history":"2013, c. 787.","full_text":"A\n\nNo person shall operate a watercraft subject to titling under this chapter unless the owner has applied to the Department for a certificate of title for the watercraft or has been issued a valid temporary registration certificate as provided for in \u00a7 29.1-703.1. Except as otherwise provided in subsections B through E, the owner of a watercraft for which Virginia is the state of principal use shall deliver to the Department an application for a certificate of title for the watercraft, with the applicable fee, not later than 20 days after the later of:1\n\nThe date of a transfer of ownership; or2\n\nThe date Virginia becomes the state of principal use.B\n\nAn application for a certificate of title is not required for:1\n\nA documented vessel;2\n\nA foreign-documented vessel;3\n\nA barge;4\n\nA watercraft before delivery if the watercraft is under construction or completed pursuant to contract; or5\n\nA watercraft held by a dealer for sale or lease.C\n\nA dealer transferring a watercraft required to be titled under this article shall assign the title to the new owner or, in the case of a new watercraft, assign the certificate of origin. The dealer shall forward all fees and applications to the Department within 20 days of sale. Each dealer shall maintain a record for six years of any watercraft he bought, sold, exchanged, or received for sale or exchange. This record shall be available for inspection by Department representatives during reasonable business hours.D\n\nNo dealer shall purchase or acquire a new watercraft without obtaining from the seller a certificate of origin. No manufacturer, importer, dealer, or other person shall sell or otherwise dispose of a new watercraft to a dealer for purposes of display and resale without delivering to the dealer a certificate of origin. The certificate of origin shall be a uniform or standardized form prescribed by the Department and shall contain:1\n\nOn the front, a description of the watercraft including its trade name, if any, year, series or model, body type, and manufacturer&#8217;s serial number; certification of date of transfer of watercraft and name and address of transferee; certification that this was the transfer of watercraft in ordinary trade and commerce; and the signature and address of a representative of the transferor; and2\n\nOn the reverse side, an assignment form, including the name and address of the transferee, a certification that the watercraft is new, and a warranty that the title at the time of delivery is subject only to such liens and encumbrances as set forth and described in full in the assignment.E\n\nThe Department shall not issue, transfer, or renew pursuant to the requirements of 46 U.S.C. &#xA7; 12301, as amended, a certificate of number for a watercraft unless the Department has created a certificate of title for the watercraft or an application for a certificate for the watercraft and the applicable fee have been delivered to the Department. Any owner of a watercraft that was not previously required to be titled and whose certificate of number expires after January 1, 1998, shall apply for a certificate of title at the time of renewal of the certificate of number.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":312207,"text":"No person shall operate a watercraft subject to titling under this chapter unless the owner has applied to the Department for a certificate of title for the watercraft or has been issued a valid temporary registration certificate as provided for in \u00a7 29.1-703.1. Except as otherwise provided in subsections B through E, the owner of a watercraft for which Virginia is the state of principal use shall deliver to the Department an application for a certificate of title for the watercraft, with the applicable fee, not later than 20 days after the later of:","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"A1"},"1":{"id":312208,"text":"The date of a transfer of ownership; or","type":"section","prefixes":["A","1"],"prefix":"1","entire_prefix":"A1","prefix_anchor":"A1","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"A2"},"2":{"id":312209,"text":"The date Virginia becomes the state of principal use.","type":"section","prefixes":["A","2"],"prefix":"2","entire_prefix":"A2","prefix_anchor":"A2","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A1","next_prefix":"B"},"3":{"id":312210,"text":"An application for a certificate of title is not required for:","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A2","next_prefix":"B1"},"4":{"id":312211,"text":"A documented vessel;","type":"section","prefixes":["B","1"],"prefix":"1","entire_prefix":"B1","prefix_anchor":"B1","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B","next_prefix":"B2"},"5":{"id":312212,"text":"A foreign-documented vessel;","type":"section","prefixes":["B","2"],"prefix":"2","entire_prefix":"B2","prefix_anchor":"B2","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B1","next_prefix":"B3"},"6":{"id":312213,"text":"A barge;","type":"section","prefixes":["B","3"],"prefix":"3","entire_prefix":"B3","prefix_anchor":"B3","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B2","next_prefix":"B4"},"7":{"id":312214,"text":"A watercraft before delivery if the watercraft is under construction or completed pursuant to contract; or","type":"section","prefixes":["B","4"],"prefix":"4","entire_prefix":"B4","prefix_anchor":"B4","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B3","next_prefix":"B5"},"8":{"id":312215,"text":"A watercraft held by a dealer for sale or lease.","type":"section","prefixes":["B","5"],"prefix":"5","entire_prefix":"B5","prefix_anchor":"B5","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B4","next_prefix":"C"},"9":{"id":312216,"text":"A dealer transferring a watercraft required to be titled under this article shall assign the title to the new owner or, in the case of a new watercraft, assign the certificate of origin. The dealer shall forward all fees and applications to the Department within 20 days of sale. Each dealer shall maintain a record for six years of any watercraft he bought, sold, exchanged, or received for sale or exchange. This record shall be available for inspection by Department representatives during reasonable business hours.","type":"section","prefixes":["C"],"prefix":"C","entire_prefix":"C","prefix_anchor":"C","level":1,"prior_prefix":"B5","next_prefix":"D"},"10":{"id":312217,"text":"No dealer shall purchase or acquire a new watercraft without obtaining from the seller a certificate of origin. No manufacturer, importer, dealer, or other person shall sell or otherwise dispose of a new watercraft to a dealer for purposes of display and resale without delivering to the dealer a certificate of origin. The certificate of origin shall be a uniform or standardized form prescribed by the Department and shall contain:","type":"section","prefixes":["D"],"prefix":"D","entire_prefix":"D","prefix_anchor":"D","level":1,"prior_prefix":"C","next_prefix":"D1"},"11":{"id":312218,"text":"On the front, a description of the watercraft including its trade name, if any, year, series or model, body type, and manufacturer&#8217;s serial number; certification of date of transfer of watercraft and name and address of transferee; certification that this was the transfer of watercraft in ordinary trade and commerce; and the signature and address of a representative of the transferor; and","type":"section","prefixes":["D","1"],"prefix":"1","entire_prefix":"D1","prefix_anchor":"D1","level":2,"prior_prefix":"D","next_prefix":"D2"},"12":{"id":312219,"text":"On the reverse side, an assignment form, including the name and address of the transferee, a certification that the watercraft is new, and a warranty that the title at the time of delivery is subject only to such liens and encumbrances as set forth and described in full in the assignment.","type":"section","prefixes":["D","2"],"prefix":"2","entire_prefix":"D2","prefix_anchor":"D2","level":2,"prior_prefix":"D1","next_prefix":"E"},"13":{"id":312220,"text":"The Department shall not issue, transfer, or renew pursuant to the requirements of 46 U.S.C. &#xA7; 12301, as amended, a certificate of number for a watercraft unless the Department has created a certificate of title for the watercraft or an application for a certificate for the watercraft and the applicable fee have been delivered to the Department. Any owner of a watercraft that was not previously required to be titled and whose certificate of number expires after January 1, 1998, shall apply for a certificate of title at the time of renewal of the certificate of number.","type":"section","prefixes":["E"],"prefix":"E","entire_prefix":"E","prefix_anchor":"E","level":1,"prior_prefix":"D2"}},"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":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},"next_section":{"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},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/29.1-733.6\/","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":false,"refers_to":[{"id":60690,"section_number":"29.1-703.1","catch_line":"Temporary registration certificate; fee; application","order_by":null,"url":"\/29.1-703.1\/"}],"permalink":{"id":193625,"object_type":"law","relational_id":87192,"identifier":"29.1-733.6","token":"29.1\/7\/2.1\/29.1-733.6","url":"\/29.1-733.6\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/29.1-733.6\/","token":"29.1\/7\/2.1\/29.1-733.6","dublin_core":{"Title":"Certificate of title required","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 29.1-733.6","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"A\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">A.<\/span> No <span class=\"dictionary\">person<\/span> shall <span class=\"dictionary\">operate<\/span> a <span class=\"dictionary\">watercraft<\/span> subject to titling under this chapter unless the <span class=\"dictionary\">owner<\/span> has applied to the <span class=\"dictionary\">Department<\/span> for a <span class=\"dictionary\">certificate of title<\/span> for the <span class=\"dictionary\">watercraft<\/span> or has been issued a valid temporary registration certificate as provided for in \u00a7&nbsp;<a class=\"law\" title=\"Temporary registration certificate; fee; application\" href=\"\/29.1-703.1\/\">29.1-703.1<\/a>. Except as otherwise provided in subsections B through E, the <span class=\"dictionary\">owner<\/span> of a <span class=\"dictionary\">watercraft<\/span> for which Virginia is the <span class=\"dictionary\">state of principal use<\/span> shall deliver to the <span class=\"dictionary\">Department<\/span> an application for a <span class=\"dictionary\">certificate of title<\/span> for the <span class=\"dictionary\">watercraft<\/span>, with the applicable fee, not later than 20 days after the later of: <a id=\"paragraph-312207\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/29.1-733.6\/#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> The date of a <span class=\"dictionary\">transfer of ownership<\/span>; or <a id=\"paragraph-312208\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/29.1-733.6\/#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> The date Virginia becomes the <span class=\"dictionary\">state of principal use<\/span>. <a id=\"paragraph-312209\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/29.1-733.6\/#A2\"><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> An application for a <span class=\"dictionary\">certificate of title<\/span> is not required for: <a id=\"paragraph-312210\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/29.1-733.6\/#B\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"B1\" class=\"indent-1\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">1.<\/span> A <span class=\"dictionary\">documented vessel<\/span>; <a id=\"paragraph-312211\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/29.1-733.6\/#B1\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"B2\" class=\"indent-1\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">2.<\/span> A <span class=\"dictionary\">foreign-<span class=\"dictionary\">documented vessel<\/span><\/span>; <a id=\"paragraph-312212\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/29.1-733.6\/#B2\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"B3\" class=\"indent-1\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">3.<\/span> A <span class=\"dictionary\">barge<\/span>; <a id=\"paragraph-312213\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/29.1-733.6\/#B3\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"B4\" class=\"indent-1\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">4.<\/span> A <span class=\"dictionary\">watercraft<\/span> before delivery if the <span class=\"dictionary\">watercraft<\/span> is under construction or completed pursuant to <span class=\"dictionary\">contract<\/span>; or <a id=\"paragraph-312214\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/29.1-733.6\/#B4\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"B5\" class=\"indent-1\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">5.<\/span> A <span class=\"dictionary\">watercraft<\/span> held by a <span class=\"dictionary\">dealer<\/span> for <span class=\"dictionary\">sale<\/span> or <span class=\"dictionary\">lease<\/span>. <a id=\"paragraph-312215\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/29.1-733.6\/#B5\"><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 <span class=\"dictionary\">dealer<\/span> transferring a <span class=\"dictionary\">watercraft<\/span> required to be titled under this article shall assign the title to the new <span class=\"dictionary\">owner<\/span> or, in the case of a new <span class=\"dictionary\">watercraft<\/span>, assign the <span class=\"dictionary\">certificate of origin<\/span>. The <span class=\"dictionary\">dealer<\/span> shall forward all fees and applications to the <span class=\"dictionary\">Department<\/span> within 20 days of <span class=\"dictionary\">sale<\/span>. Each <span class=\"dictionary\">dealer<\/span> shall maintain a <span class=\"dictionary\">record<\/span> for six years of any <span class=\"dictionary\">watercraft<\/span> he bought, sold, exchanged, or received for <span class=\"dictionary\">sale<\/span> or exchange. This <span class=\"dictionary\">record<\/span> shall be available for inspection by <span class=\"dictionary\">Department<\/span> <span class=\"dictionary\">representatives<\/span> during reasonable business hours. <a id=\"paragraph-312216\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/29.1-733.6\/#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> No <span class=\"dictionary\">dealer<\/span> shall <span class=\"dictionary\">purchase<\/span> or acquire a new <span class=\"dictionary\">watercraft<\/span> without obtaining from the <span class=\"dictionary\">seller<\/span> a <span class=\"dictionary\">certificate of origin<\/span>. No manufacturer, importer, <span class=\"dictionary\">dealer<\/span>, or other <span class=\"dictionary\">person<\/span> shall sell or otherwise dispose of a new <span class=\"dictionary\">watercraft<\/span> to a <span class=\"dictionary\">dealer<\/span> for purposes of display and resale without delivering to the <span class=\"dictionary\">dealer<\/span> a <span class=\"dictionary\">certificate of origin<\/span>. The <span class=\"dictionary\">certificate of origin<\/span> shall be a uniform or standardized form prescribed by the <span class=\"dictionary\">Department<\/span> and shall contain: <a id=\"paragraph-312217\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/29.1-733.6\/#D\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"D1\" class=\"indent-1\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">1.<\/span> On the front, a description of the <span class=\"dictionary\">watercraft<\/span> including its trade name, if any, year, series or model, body type, and manufacturer&#8217;s serial number; certification of date of transfer of <span class=\"dictionary\">watercraft<\/span> and name and address of transferee; certification that this was the transfer of <span class=\"dictionary\">watercraft<\/span> in ordinary trade and commerce; and the signature and address of a <span class=\"dictionary\">representative<\/span> of the transferor; and <a id=\"paragraph-312218\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/29.1-733.6\/#D1\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"D2\" class=\"indent-1\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">2.<\/span> On the <span class=\"dictionary\">reverse<\/span> side, an assignment form, including the name and address of the transferee, a certification that the <span class=\"dictionary\">watercraft<\/span> is new, and a warranty that the title at the time of delivery is subject only to such <span class=\"dictionary\">liens<\/span> and encumbrances as set forth and described in full in the assignment. <a id=\"paragraph-312219\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/29.1-733.6\/#D2\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"E\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">E.<\/span> The <span class=\"dictionary\">Department<\/span> shall not <span class=\"dictionary\">issue<\/span>, transfer, or renew pursuant to the requirements of 46 U.S.C. &#xA7; 12301, as amended, a certificate of number for a <span class=\"dictionary\">watercraft<\/span> unless the <span class=\"dictionary\">Department<\/span> has created a <span class=\"dictionary\">certificate of title<\/span> for the <span class=\"dictionary\">watercraft<\/span> or an application for a certificate for the <span class=\"dictionary\">watercraft<\/span> and the applicable fee have been delivered to the <span class=\"dictionary\">Department<\/span>. Any <span class=\"dictionary\">owner<\/span> of a <span class=\"dictionary\">watercraft<\/span> that was not previously required to be titled and whose certificate of number expires after January 1, 1998, shall apply for a <span class=\"dictionary\">certificate of title<\/span> at the time of renewal of the certificate of number. <a id=\"paragraph-312220\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/29.1-733.6\/#E\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":"                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nCERTIFICATE OF TITLE REQUIRED (\u00a7 29.1-733.6)\n\nA. No person shall operate a watercraft subject to titling under this chapter\nunless the owner has applied to the Department for a certificate of title for\nthe watercraft or has been issued a valid temporary registration certificate as\nprovided for in \u00a7 29.1-703.1. Except as otherwise provided in subsections B\nthrough E, the owner of a watercraft for which Virginia is the state of\nprincipal use shall deliver to the Department an application for a certificate\nof title for the watercraft, with the applicable fee, not later than 20 days\nafter the later of:\n\n   1. The date of a transfer of ownership; or\n\n   2. The date Virginia becomes the state of principal use.\n\nB. An application for a certificate of title is not required for:\n\n   1. A documented vessel;\n\n   2. A foreign-documented vessel;\n\n   3. A barge;\n\n   4. A watercraft before delivery if the watercraft is under construction or\n   completed pursuant to contract; or\n\n   5. A watercraft held by a dealer for sale or lease.\n\nC. A dealer transferring a watercraft required to be titled under this article\nshall assign the title to the new owner or, in the case of a new watercraft,\nassign the certificate of origin. The dealer shall forward all fees and\napplications to the Department within 20 days of sale. Each dealer shall\nmaintain a record for six years of any watercraft he bought, sold, exchanged, or\nreceived for sale or exchange. This record shall be available for inspection by\nDepartment representatives during reasonable business hours.\n\nD. No dealer shall purchase or acquire a new watercraft without obtaining from\nthe seller a certificate of origin. No manufacturer, importer, dealer, or other\nperson shall sell or otherwise dispose of a new watercraft to a dealer for\npurposes of display and resale without delivering to the dealer a certificate of\norigin. The certificate of origin shall be a uniform or standardized form\nprescribed by the Department and shall contain:\n\n   1. On the front, a description of the watercraft including its trade name, if\n   any, year, series or model, body type, and manufacturer&#8217;s serial number;\n   certification of date of transfer of watercraft and name and address of\n   transferee; certification that this was the transfer of watercraft in ordinary\n   trade and commerce; and the signature and address of a representative of the\n   transferor; and\n\n   2. On the reverse side, an assignment form, including the name and address of\n   the transferee, a certification that the watercraft is new, and a warranty\n   that the title at the time of delivery is subject only to such liens and\n   encumbrances as set forth and described in full in the assignment.\n\nE. The Department shall not issue, transfer, or renew pursuant to the\nrequirements of 46 U.S.C. &#xA7; 12301, as amended, a certificate of number for\na watercraft unless the Department has created a certificate of title for the\nwatercraft or an application for a certificate for the watercraft and the\napplicable fee have been delivered to the Department. Any owner of a watercraft\nthat was not previously required to be titled and whose certificate of number\nexpires after January 1, 1998, shall apply for a certificate of title at the\ntime of renewal of the certificate of number.\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}}