Chapter 30

30.52(2) (2) Certification and registration period. Except as provided in sub. (3g), the certification and registration period runs for 3 years, commencing on April 1 of the year in which the certificate of number or registration is issued and, unless sooner terminated or discontinued in accordance with this chapter, expiring on March 31 of the 3rd year after issuance. A certificate of number or registration is valid only for the period for which it is issued.

30.52(3) (3) Fees.

30.52(3)(a) (a) Payment of fee required. Except as provided in sub. (3g), a person who applies for the issuance or renewal of a certificate of number or registration shall pay the department the fee required under this subsection for the whole or any part of a certification and registration period.

30.52(3)(b) (b) Fee for boats under 16 feet. The fee for the issuance or renewal of a certificate of number for a boat less than 16 feet in length is $22.

30.52(3)(c) (c) Fee for boats 16 feet or more but less than 26 feet. The fee for the issuance or renewal of a certificate of number for a boat 16 feet or more but less than 26 feet in length is $32.

30.52(3)(d) (d) Fee for boats 26 feet or more but less than 40 feet. The fee for the issuance or renewal of a certificate of number for a boat 26 feet or more but less than 40 feet in length is $60.

30.52(3)(e) (e) Fee for boats 40 feet or longer. The fee for the issuance or renewal of a certificate of number for a boat 40 feet or more in length is $100.

30.52(3)(f) (f) Fee for nonmotorized sailboats. Notwithstanding pars. (b) to (e), the fee for the issuance or renewal of a certificate of number for a sailboat which is not a motorboat is $17.

30.52(3)(fm) (fm) Fee for voluntarily registered boats. Notwithstanding pars. (b) to (f), the fee for issuance or renewal of registration for a boat registered pursuant to sub. (1) (b) 1m. is $11.

30.52(3)(g) (g) Fee for documented vessels. The fee for the issuance or renewal of registration for a federally documented vessel is the same as the fee for the issuance or renewal for a certificate of number under pars. (b) to (e).

30.52(3)(h) (h) Fee for issuance upon transfer of ownership. Notwithstanding pars. (b) to (g), the fee for the issuance of a certificate of number or registration to the new owner upon transfer of ownership of a boat certified or registered under this chapter by the previous owner is $3.75 if the certificate of number or registration is issued for the remainder of the certification and registration period for which the previous certificate of number or registration was issued.

30.52(3)(i) (i) Fleet fees. A person owning or holding 3 or more boats may, at the person’s option, pay a fleet rate for these boats instead of the fees which otherwise would be payable under pars. (b) to (g). Notwithstanding pars. (b) to (g), the fee for the issuance or renewal of certificates of number or registrations for boats under the fleet rate is $27 plus 50 percent of the fees which would otherwise be applicable for the boats under pars. (b) to (g).

30.52(3)(im) (im) Dealer or manufacturer fees. A manufacturer or dealer in boats may, at the manufacturer’s or dealer’s option, pay a fee of $75 for the issuance or renewal of a certificate of number.

30.52(3)(j) (j) Fee for issuance of duplicates. The fee for the issuance of each duplicate certificate of number card, registration card, certification decal, or registration decal is $2.50.

30.52(3)(k) (k) Use of fees. All fees remitted to or collected by the department under par. (j) shall be credited to the appropriation account under s. 20.370 (9) (hu).

30.52(3g) (3g) Exemption.

30.52(3g)(a) (a) A boat that is present in this state and used exclusively as part of an advertisement being made for the manufacturer of the boat shall be issued a certificate of number for a period not to exceed 15 days. The department may not charge a fee for the issuance of a certificate of number under this paragraph.

30.52(3g)(b) (b) The department shall promulgate rules for the issuance of certificates of number under par. (a).

30.52(3m) (3m) Voluntary contributions; invasive species grants.

30.52(3m)(a) (a) Any applicant for the issuance or renewal of a certificate of number or registration under sub. (3) (b) to (im) may, in addition to paying the fee charged for the certificate, elect to make a voluntary contribution of at least $2 to be used for research by the department concerning invasive species that are aquatic species and for grants under s. 23.22 (2) (c) to control invasive species that are aquatic species.

30.52(3m)(am) (am) If a person appointed under sub. (1m) (a) 3. collects a voluntary contribution under par. (a) from an applicant for the issuance or renewal of a certificate of number or registration, the person collecting the voluntary contribution may retain 50 cents of the voluntary contribution to compensate for the person’s services in collecting the voluntary contribution.

30.52(3m)(b) (b) All moneys collected under par. (a), less the amount retained as authorized under par. (am), shall be deposited into the account under s. 20.370 (4) (ks).

30.52(4) (4) Sales and use taxes. The department shall collect from the applicant any sales and use taxes due under s. 77.61 (1) on any boat for which a certificate of number or registration is applied for and the report in respect to those taxes. The department shall use collection and accounting methods approved by the department of revenue.

30.52(5) (5) Issuance.

30.52(5)(a) (a) Certificate of number; card; decals; number.

30.52(5)(a)1. 1. Upon receipt of a proper application for the issuance or renewal of a certificate of number accompanied by the required fee, a sales tax report, the payment of any sales and use tax due under s. 77.61 (1), and any other information the department determines to be necessary, a temporary operating receipt or a certificate of number card and 2 certification decals shall be issued to the applicant using one of the procedures specified in sub. (1m) (ag) 1.

30.52(5)(a)1m. 1m. The certificate of number card issued under this paragraph or sub. (1m) (ag) 2. shall state the identification number awarded, the name and address of the owner, and other information the department determines to be necessary. The certificate of number card shall be of pocket size and of durable water resistant material.

30.52(5)(a)2. 2. The certification decals issued under this paragraph or sub. (1m) (ag) 2. shall bear the year of expiration of the current certification and registration period.

30.52(5)(a)3. 3. At the time the department issues a certificate of number card, the department shall award an identification number and shall provide the applicant with instructions concerning the painting or attachment of the awarded identification number to the boat. The identification number shall be awarded to a particular boat unless the owner of the boat is a manufacturer of or dealer in boats, motors, or trailers who has paid the fee under sub. (3) (im) and the identification number is used on that boat.

30.52(5)(a)4. 4. At the time a person receives the certification decals, the department shall furnish the person with instructions concerning the attachment of the certification decals to the boat and with a copy of the state laws pertaining to operation of boats or informational material based on these laws.

30.52(5)(b) (b) Registration; card; decals.

30.52(5)(b)1. 1. Upon receipt of a proper application for the issuance or renewal of a registration accompanied by the required fee, a sales tax report, the payment of any sales and use tax due under s. 77.61 (1) and any other information the department determines to be necessary, a temporary operating receipt or a registration card and 2 registration decals shall be issued to the applicant using one of the procedures specified in sub. (1m) (ag) 1.

30.52(5)(b)1g. 1g. The registration card issued under this paragraph or sub. (1m) (ag) 2. shall state the name and address of the owner and other information the department determines to be necessary. The registration card shall be of pocket size and of durable water resistant material.

30.52(5)(b)1m. 1m. The issuance or renewal of a registration card for a boat registered pursuant to sub. (1) (b) 1m. does not authorize the use of a motor on the boat.

30.52(5)(b)2. 2. The registration decals issued under this paragraph or sub. (1m) (ag) 2. shall bear the year of expiration of the current certification and registration period.

30.52(5)(b)3. 3. At the time a person receives the registration decals, the department shall furnish the person with instructions concerning the attachment of the registration decals to the boat and with a copy of the state laws pertaining to the operation of boats or informational material based on these laws.

30.52(5)(bn) (bn) Sales tax information required.

30.52(5)(bn)1. 1. For an application submitted under par. (a) 1. or (b) 1., the purchaser of the boat shall complete the sales tax information required by the department on the application unless subd. 2. applies.

30.52(5)(bn)2. 2. For an application submitted under par. (a) 1. or (b) 1., if the seller is a manufacturer or a dealer, the manufacturer or dealer shall complete the sales tax information if the manufacturer or dealer agrees to do so on behalf of the purchaser.

30.52 History History: 1971 c. 215; 1973 c. 302; 1977 c. 29, 418; 1979 c. 34, 221, 275; 1983 a. 27 ss. 847 to 862; 1983 a. 192, 405; 1987 a. 290; 1991 a. 39; 1995 a. 27; 1997 a. 27, 198; 1999 a. 9; 2001 a. 16, 104; 2005 a. 25, 481; 2007 a. 20; 2009 a. 28; 2015 a. 89; 2017 a. 59; 2021 a. 58, 239.

30.523 30.523 Certification or registration card to be on board; display of decals and identification number.

30.523(1) (1) Card to be on board; exception.

30.523(1)(a) (a) Certificate of number card. If a boat is required to be covered by a certificate of number issued under this chapter and if the owner of the boat has received the certificate of number card for the boat, any person operating the boat shall have the card available at all times for inspection on the boat, unless the department determines the boat is of the use, size, or type as to make the retention of the card on the boat impractical.

30.523(1)(b) (b) Registration card. If a boat is required to be covered by a registration issued under this chapter and the owner of the boat has received the registration card for the boat, any person operating the boat shall have the card available at all times for inspection on the boat unless the department determines the boat is of the use, size, or type as to make the retention of the card on the boat impractical.

30.523(1)(c) (c) Temporary operating receipt. If a boat is required to be covered by a certificate of number or registration and the owner has received a temporary operating receipt but not yet received the certificate of number card or registration card, the person operating the boat shall at all times have proof of the temporary operating receipt available for inspection on the boat.

30.523(2) (2) Display of decals.

30.523(2)(a) (a) Certification decals. Upon being issued certification decals, the owner of the boat shall attach or affix the decals to each side of the forward half of the boat in the manner prescribed by rules promulgated by the department. The owner shall maintain the decals in a legible condition at all times.

30.523(2)(b) (b) Registration decals. Upon being issued registration decals, the owner of the boat shall attach or affix the decals in the manner prescribed by rules promulgated by the department. The owner shall attach or affix the registration decals to the transom of the boat on each side of the federally documented name of the vessel in a manner so both decals are visible. The owner shall maintain the decals in a legible condition at all times.

30.523(2)(c) (c) Decals for boats owned by manufacturers and dealers. Notwithstanding par. (a), a manufacturer or dealer in boats, motors, or trailers who has paid the fee under s. 30.52 (3) (im) may attach or affix the certification decals to removable signs to be temporarily but firmly mounted upon or attached to the boat while the boat is being operated.

30.523(2)(d) (d) Restriction on other stickers and decals. No stickers or decals other than the certificate of number decals, other stickers or decals that may be provided by the department, and stickers or decals authorized by reciprocity may be attached, affixed, or displayed on either side of the forward half of a boat.

30.523(3) (3) Display of identification number. Upon being issued a certificate of number card and awarded an identification number, the owner of the boat shall paint on or attach the identification number to each side of the forward half of the boat in the manner prescribed by rules promulgated by the department. The owner shall paint or attach the identification number so it is clearly visible and shall maintain the identification number in a legible condition at all times. A manufacturer or dealer in boats, motors or trailers who has paid the fee under s. 30.52 (3) (im) may paint the identification number on or attach the identification number to removable signs to be temporarily but firmly mounted upon or attached to the boat while being operated. No number other than the identification number awarded by the department or granted reciprocity under this chapter may be painted, attached or otherwise displayed on either side of the forward half of a boat.

30.523 History History: 1973 c. 302; 1979 c. 275; 1983 a. 27; 1987 a. 397 s. 3; Stats. 1987 s. 30.523; 1997 a. 198; 2001 a. 16; 2015 a. 89.

30.523 Cross-reference Cross-reference: See also ss. NR 5.001, 5.01, 5.02, 5.04, 5.05, 5.06, and 19.01, Wis. adm. code.

30.525 30.525 Voluntary contributions for nonmotorized boats. The department shall encourage owners of boats which are exempt from the certificate of number requirement under s. 30.51 (2) (a) 1. or 2. to contribute funds to be utilized for the development or enhancement of programs or services which provide benefits relating directly to nonmotorized boating activities. The department shall make reasonable efforts to publicize the nonmotorized boat voluntary contribution program and the purposes for which these revenues are to be utilized.

30.525 History History: 1983 a. 27.

30.53 30.53 Certificate of origin; requirements; contents; guaranteed asset protection waivers.

30.53(1) (1) Requirements. No manufacturer, importer, dealer or other person may sell or otherwise dispose of a new boat to a dealer, to be used by the dealer for purposes of display and resale, without delivering to the dealer a manufacturer’s or importer’s certificate of origin executed in accordance with this section and with those assignments on the certificate as are necessary to show title in the purchaser of the boat. No dealer may purchase or acquire a new boat without obtaining from the seller of the boat the manufacturer’s or importer’s certificate of origin.

30.53(2) (2) Contents. A manufacturer’s or importer’s certificate of origin of a boat shall contain, in the form and together with the information the secretary requires, the following information:

30.53(2)(a) (a) A description of the boat, including, if applicable, the make, year, length, series or model, hull type and hull identification number of the boat and, for a boat with an inboard motor, the make of the engine and the engine serial number.

30.53(2)(b) (b) Certification of the date of transfer of the boat to a distributor, dealer or other transferee, and the name and address of the transferee.

30.53(2)(c) (c) Certification that this transaction is the first transfer of the new boat in ordinary trade and commerce.

30.53(2)(d) (d) The signature and address of a representative of the transferor.

30.53(3) (3) Assignment. An assignment of a manufacturer’s or importer’s certificate of origin shall be printed on the reverse side of the manufacturer’s or importer’s certificate of origin in the form prescribed by the secretary. The assignment form shall include the name and address of the transferee, a certification that the boat is new and a warranty that the title at the time of delivery is subject only to the liens and encumbrances that are set forth and described in full in the assignment. Nothing in this subsection requires the transferee to apply for a certificate of title under s. 30.533.

30.53(4) (4) Nonapplicability. Subsection (3) does not apply to or affect:

30.53(4)(a) (a) A lien given by statute or rule of law to a supplier of services or materials for the boat.

30.53(4)(b) (b) A lien given by statute to the United States, this state or any political subdivision of this state.

30.53(4)(c) (c) A security interest in a boat created by a manufacturer or dealer who holds the boat for sale, which shall be governed by the applicable provisions of ch. 409.

30.53(5) (5) Guaranteed asset protection waivers. Any dealer in boats or creditor may offer or sell guaranteed asset protection waivers in connection with the retail sale or lease of boats in this state if the dealer or creditor complies with the same requirements applicable with respect to motor vehicles under s. 218.0148. Any guaranteed asset protection waiver offered or sold under this subsection shall be treated the same as one offered or sold under s. 218.0148, including that the guaranteed asset protection waiver is not insurance.

30.53 History History: 1987 a. 397; 2017 a. 161.

30.531 30.531 Certificate of title; requirements; exemptions.

30.531(1) (1) Certificate. The owner of a boat subject to registration or certificate of number requirements in this state, whether or not the boat is operated on the waters of this state, shall make application for certificate of title for the boat under the following circumstances:

30.531(1)(a) (a) If the owner has newly acquired the boat, he or she shall make application under s. 30.533.

30.531(1)(b) (b) If the owner applies for registration of a boat without holding a valid certificate of title previously issued to that owner by the department for the boat, he or she shall at the same time apply for a certificate of title.

30.531(2) (2) Prerequisite to registration. Except as provided in sub. (3), an applicant’s eligibility for a certificate of title is a prerequisite to registration of the boat. If the applicant for registration holds a valid certificate of title previously issued to the applicant by the department for the boat, that is prima facie evidence of ownership of the boat and the applicant need not apply for a new certificate of title when applying for registration.

30.531(3) (3) Exemption.

30.531(3)(a) (a) Boats exempt from registration requirements. A boat is exempt from both the certificate of origin and certificate of title requirements of this chapter if it is exempt under s. 30.51 (2) (a) from the certificate of number and registration requirements or exempt under s. 30.51 (2) (b) from the certificate of number requirements of this chapter.

30.531(3)(b) (b) Boats under 16 feet. A boat is exempt from both the certificate of origin and certificate of title requirements of this chapter if it is less than 16 feet in length.

30.531(3)(bn) (bn) Boats voluntarily registered. A boat issued a registration card pursuant to s. 30.52 (1) (b) 1m. is exempt from both the certificate of origin and certificate of title requirements of this chapter.

30.531(3)(c) (c) Boats purchased by nonresidents. A nonresident who purchases a boat in this state and who intends to title and register the boat in another state is not required to apply for a certificate of title under this chapter. A nonresident who purchases a boat in this state may apply for a certificate of title under this chapter.

30.531 History History: 1987 a. 397; 1991 a. 39, 269; 1997 a. 198.

30.533 30.533 Application for certificate of title; hull and engine identification numbers.

30.533(1) (1) Certificate; contents. An application for a certificate of title shall be made to the department and shall be accompanied by the required fee. Each application for certificate of title shall contain the following information:

30.533(1)(a) (a) The name and address of the owner.

30.533(1)(b) (b) The name and address of the previous owner.

30.533(1)(c) (c) A description of the boat, including, if applicable, the make, year, length, series or model, hull type and hull identification number of the boat, the make of the engine and the engine serial number for a boat with an inboard motor, and any other information which the department may reasonably require for proper identification of the boat.

30.533(1)(d) (d) If the boat is a new boat being registered for the first time, the signature of a dealer authorized to sell such new boat and the manufacturer’s certificate of origin. Such certificate of origin shall contain such information as is prescribed by the department.

30.533(1)(e) (e) If the boat is a used boat which was last previously registered in another jurisdiction, the applicant shall furnish any certificate of ownership issued by the other jurisdiction and a statement pertaining to the title history and ownership of the boat, such statement to be in the form the department prescribes.

30.533(1)(f) (f) If the boat is a used boat which was last previously registered or titled in this state, or both, the applicant shall furnish any certificate of number or other evidence of registration and any certificate of title previously issued by this state and a statement pertaining to the title history and ownership of the boat, such statement to be in the form the department prescribes.

30.533(1)(g) (g) A signed statement by the applicant that the applicant has inspected the hull identification number and the engine serial number, if any, to ensure that such numbers conform with the numbers recorded on the application for a certificate of title.