Oklahoma Boating Requirements
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Introduction
This summary is designed to inform the boating public about title options, registration requirements, recording methods, record searches, tax rules, and operational guidelines for the State of Oklahoma. The data is maintained as an open wiki forum where readers are encouraged to participate by sharing knowledge and experiences with this particular jurisdiction. Simply click on the above WikiShare link to contribute further details or suggest a revision.
Registration and Titling
Oklahoma issues registrations and titles for all non-exempt boats operating within its jurisdiction. These are administered by the Motor Vehicle Division in Oklahoma City. Registration and titling are required on all outboards in excess of 10 horsepower. Boat trailer registration and titling are not required in Oklahoma.
Unless otherwise exempted, all boats capable of being used, as a means of transportation on the waters of Oklahoma, are required to be titled. Coast Guard documented boats are also subject to Oklahoma boat registration. A complete list of requirements and exemptions can be found on their website.
This state does not have provisions for conditional registrations. However they do have defined procedures for registering a boat pursuant a mechanic's or possessory lien foreclosure.
There are approximately 199,129 boats registered in the State of Oklahoma. This accounts for 1.7% of all nationwide registrations.
Numbering and Marking
Oklahoma boat registration numbers begin with an "OK" designation which is followed by four numbers and then two letters. These must be displayed on all non-documented boats along with registration sticker tabs. Coast Guard documented vessels may not display the state registration numbers. However they must display the state registration tabs, an owner designated vessel name, and a hailing port. An official documentation number must also be affixed to a visible interior location in the hull itself or an integral part of the hull.
All vessels manufactured after 1972 are required to have a 12 digit hull identification number affixed to the vessel by the manufacturer. State assigned hull numbers prefixed with the letters "OKZ" are available for home made boats and those without factory designations. The hull identification number must be verified by a law enforcement official on first time titling and registration and transfers.
Recording Methods
Oklahoma issues titles on all registered boats except for those which are Coast Guard Documented. There are no provisions for title bonding when there is insufficient evidence of ownership. In these cases it will be necessary to petition a local court of law for an ownership award.
Security interests in state titled boats are recorded with the Motor Vehicle Division. These will be shown on both the registration and title certificates when applicable. All titles with active security interests are sent directly to the secured party. Security interests in boats that are neither titled or USCG documented are recorded with the respective county clerks offices as (UCC) filings.
Tax liens may be flagged on boat registration records, recorded as UCC filings, shown on state revenue records, or filed with a county clerk's office. There are no provisions for recording mechanic's liens or other non-secured claims against state titled boats. If the vessel is USCG documented, a lender's security interest must be perfected by filing a preferred vessel mortgage. These are recorded with the National Vessel Documentation Center and priority is attained according to the date filed. Other maritime liens can be filed in the same manner although they function as notifications only. All mortgage and lien filings are indexed on the vessel's underlying abstract of title.
Record Searches
Boat title and registration records in Oklahoma are maintained by the Motor Vehicle Division. This agency does not facilitate online searches for the general public due to strict privacy laws. However, record printouts may be obtained by an owner or otherwise qualified party by submitting a boat record request form. Although designed for vehicles, this form also applies to boats. It is also reported that MVD offices will provide telephone verifications on information shown on boat title or registration certificates in hand.
Uniform Commercial Code searches must be implemented by contacting the respective county in Oklahoma where the owner resides. However, if there are any suspected state or federal tax liens, it may be advisable to use a public record vendor as they have a much broader access to such filings nationwide. Ownership, mortgage, and lien search recordings for USCG documented vessels can be obtained by ordering an abstract of title and a copy of the certificate of documentation from the National Vessel Documentation Center.
Taxes and Insurance
Excise tax is assessed on transfers of ownership of boats and outboard motors and is based on the manufacturer's original retail selling price of the unit. Visit the Oklahoma Tax Commission website link in WikiTags for more information.
Liability insurance is not required for boats operating on Oklahoma waters.
Operating and Safety
Motorized boat and PWC operators in Oklahoma are 12 to 15 years old and will be operating a vessel over 10 hp to pass a boater safety course and to carry a boater education card.
Conclusion
The information contained herein is subject to change without notice and may contain errors or omissions. Be sure to check with the respective government agency before taking action on any such data. More detailed information about all of these topics can be found in the above WikiTags.
Credits and References
3/29/2022 - Page initiated by Team BoatWiki.
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