                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA

DUTIES AND OPERATION OF THE DEPARTMENT (§ 29.1-733.26)

A. 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.

B. 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.

C. 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.

D. 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:

   1. 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:
   				a. Identified by a hull identification number designated in the request;
   				b. Identified by a registration number designated in the request; or
   				c. Owned by a person designated in the request;

   2. With respect to the watercraft:
   				a. The name and address of any owner as indicated in the files of the
   Department or on the certificate of title;
   				b. 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
   				c. A copy of any termination statement indicated in the files of the
   Department and the effective date of the termination statement; and

   3. With respect to the watercraft, a copy of any certificate of origin,
   secured party transfer statement, transfer by law statement under &#xA7;
   29.1-733.20, and other evidence of previous or current transfers of ownership.

E. 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.

F. 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.

HISTORY: 2013, c. 787.