Maryland Department of Natural Resources - Application for Maryland Registered or Documented Vessel (B-240) Details

This application (B240) will allow you to register and/or title your vessel in Maryland as well as submit a tax payment or decal request for your Documented vessel.

Application Fee

The application fee will be determined by an LRS Associate and provided to you at a later time. 

DNR ID

All applicants, including vessel co-owners, are required to have a DNR ID in order to complete this application. If you do not have a DNR ID, then please Click Here to Register for a DNR ID. 

Mailed Applications

You may also elect to mail in the vessel's original documents.

How do I know if my vessel must be registered in Maryland?

Your vessel, whether commercial or recreational, must be registered in Maryland if it is:

• Equipped with any kind of primary or auxiliary mechanical propulsion; and
• Used in Maryland most in a calendar year.

Note: US Coast Guard documented vessels using Maryland waters are NOT exempt from the vessel excise tax. When used principally in Maryland, documented vessels must display a documented use decal.

If your vessel was purchased in Maryland and will use Maryland waters a majority of the calendar year, you are liable for vessel excise tax and must register the vessel within 30 days of purchase to avoid assessment of penalty and interest.

If your vessel was purchased elsewhere or previously registered in another jurisdiction, is now in Maryland waters, and will use Maryland waters more than any other single jurisdiction during the calendar year, you are liable for vessel excise tax and must register the vessel within 30 days of entering Maryland waters.

If your vessel is duly registered in another jurisdiction but remains in Maryland waters more than 90 days in a calendar year, you may be liable for vessel excise tax unless you can prove principal use in another jurisdiction.

What is "principal use?" 8-701 of the State Boat Act

“State of principal use” means the jurisdiction on whose waters a vessel is used or to be used most during a calendar year, which is the period from January 1 through December 31.

“Use” means to operate, navigate, or employ a vessel. A vessel is in use whenever it is upon the water, whether it is moving, anchored, or tied up to any manner of dock or buoy. A vessel is also in use if it is kept in any structure in readiness for use.

When must I apply?

Vessel excise tax must be paid within 30 days of Maryland tax liability to avoid the assessment of penalty (10% of vessel excise tax due) and interest (1.5% per month).

Vessel in Disrepair at time of Purchase

If you are given a boat because it is no longer operational or is in very poor condition, or the purchase price is much lower than fair market value because of the boat’s current condition, be sure to title the boat in your name within 30 days of purchase. Refer to the What documents will I need? section on this webpage to ensure you have all of the required documents. The certified bill of sale should detail the condition of the boat and list the items that are not operational on the vessel. Photographs of the poor vessel condition may be required to confirm a much lower Fair Market Value. If you wait to title until work on the vessel is completed, vessel excise tax will be assessed against the higher value of the restored boat.

What documents will I need?

All documents must clearly identify the vessel by hull identification #, assigned boat # (ex: MD 1234 AB), or USCG documentation #.

Vessel is currently titled in Maryland

• Original Maryland title (properly assigned – purchaser name, seller’s signature and date, purchase price)
• Section 2 – taxes/fees – must also be calculated and entered
• Sections 4 through 7 must also be completed, all purchaser’s must sign in section 7
• Original Certified/Notarized Bill of Sale if purchaser’s name, sale date or price is missing from assignment of title
• A bill of sale must include the names of the buyer and the seller, date of sale, seller’s signature, amount of sale and vessel description (year, manufacturer, hull identification number and/or current registration number).
• Original lien release if seller’s title shows a recorded lien

New Vessel

• Original Manufacturer's Certificate of Origin, and
• Original Certified / Notarized Bill of Sale if the Certificate of Origin does not contain the purchaser, purchase price and date of sale and signature of all owners.
  
  A certified bill of sale is a bill of sale that contains the following statement: "I declare and affirm under penalty of perjury that the facts in this bill of sale are true and correct". A bill of sale must include the names of the buyer and the seller, date of sale, seller’s signature, purchase price and vessel description (year, manufacturer, hull identification number and/or current registration number).

New Vessel Purchased via Internet

When a vessel is purchased via the Internet, and is shipped with a manufacturer’s certificate of origin (MCO) that contains no signature or a preprinted signature, or purchaser is directed to a website to create the MCO, the following is required to establish ownership:  

Vessels 12’ in length and smaller

• Manufacturer’s Certificate of Origin
• Pencil tracing or photograph of Hull identification number
• Evidence of payment

Vessels greater than 12’ in length

• Original Manufacturer’s Certificate of Origin Fully executed by the manufacturer
• Original Certified / Notarized Bill of Sale if the Certificate of Origin does not contain the purchaser, purchase price and date of sale and signature of all owners.

Documented Vessel (for use decal and/or tax payment)

• USCG stamped Bill of Sale that includes the selling price.
• Photocopy of current Certificate of Documentation.

IMPORTANT NOTE (ALL BOATS): Verify that the hull identification number (HIN) engraved or embossed on the hull of your vessel matches the HIN recorded on your ownership documents. If they do not agree, contact a DNR Service Center for instructions.