Chapter 30

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.

30.533(1)(h) (h) Any further evidence of ownership which may reasonably be required by the department to enable it to determine whether the owner is entitled to a certificate of title.

30.533(2) (2) Hull identification number. If the boat contains a permanent hull identification number placed on the boat by the manufacturer of the boat, this number shall be used as the hull identification number. If there is no manufacturer’s hull identification number, or if the manufacturer’s hull identification number has been removed, obliterated or altered, the application for certificate of title shall so state and the secretary shall assign a hull identification number to the boat. The assigned hull identification number shall be permanently affixed to, or imprinted on, the starboard side of the transom of the boat to which the hull identification number is assigned.

30.533(3) (3) Engine serial number. If the boat has an inboard motor which contains an engine serial number, this number shall be recorded on the certificate of title as the engine serial number. If the boat has an inboard motor which does not contain an engine serial number, or if the engine serial number has been removed, obliterated or altered, the application for certificate of title shall so state and the certificate of title shall not contain an engine serial number.

30.533 History History: 1987 a. 397; 1989 a. 128; 1997 a. 198.

30.535 30.535 Department to examine records. Before issuing a certificate of title for a boat, the department shall check the application against the records of stolen boats in the national crime information center.

30.535 History History: 1987 a. 397.

30.537 30.537 Certificate of title; issuance, records, fees.

30.537(1) (1) Issuance. The department shall file each application for certificate of title received by it and, when satisfied as to its genuineness and regularity and that the applicant is entitled to the issuance of a certificate of title, shall issue and deliver a certificate to the owner of the boat.

30.537(2) (2) Records. The department shall file and retain for at least 5 years a record of all applications for certificate of title, including, if applicable, the manufacturer’s certificate of origin, and all certificates of title issued by it:

30.537(2)(a) (a) According to title number.

30.537(2)(b) (b) According to hull identification number or engine serial number or both.

30.537(2)(c) (c) Alphabetically, according to name of owner.

30.537(2)(d) (d) In any other manner which the department determines to be desirable.

30.537(3) (3) Search fee. The department shall conduct a title search upon the request of an applicant for a certificate of title and shall charge a fee of $5 for each search.

30.537(4) (4) Title fees. The department shall require that:

30.537(4)(a) (a) The owner of the boat pay a $5 fee to file an application for the first certificate of title.

30.537(4)(b) (b) The owner of the boat pay a $5 fee for a certificate of title after a transfer.

30.537(4)(c) (c) The owner of the boat pay a $5 fee for a replacement certificate of title.

30.537(4)(d) (d) The owner of a boat pay a single $5 fee for the original notation and subsequent release of a security interest on a certificate of title.

30.537(4)(e) (e) A person who has perfected a security interest and who is notified under s. 30.571 pay a $2 fee for each notification.

30.537(4)(f) (f) An assignee of a security interest pay a $2 fee to be named a secured party on a certificate of title.

30.537(4)(g) (g) All fees remitted to or collected by the department under pars. (a), (c), and (d) be credited to the appropriation account under s. 20.370 (9) (hu).

30.537(5) (5) Fee restriction. The department shall not charge any fee for services under this section except as specified in subs. (3) and (4).

30.537 History History: 1987 a. 397; 1989 a. 128; 1991 a. 39; 2021 a. 58; 2021 a. 240 s. 30.

30.539 30.539 Contents of certificate of title.

30.539(1) (1) Information. Each certificate of title issued by the department shall contain:

30.539(1)(a) (a) The name and address of the owner.

30.539(1)(b) (b) The title number assigned to the boat.

30.539(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 and, for a boat with an inboard motor, the make of the engine and the engine serial number.

30.539(1)(d) (d) Any other data which the department deems pertinent and desirable.

30.539(2) (2) Forms. The certificate of title shall contain forms for assignment and warranty of title by the owner, and for assignment and warranty of title by a dealer, or insurance company, and may contain forms for applying for a certificate of title by a transferee.

30.539 History History: 1987 a. 397; 1997 a. 198.

30.54 30.54 Lost, stolen or mutilated certificates.

30.54(1) (1) If a certificate of title is lost, stolen, mutilated or destroyed or becomes illegible, the owner or legal representative of the owner named in the certificate, as shown by the records of the department, shall promptly make application for and may obtain a replacement upon furnishing information satisfactory to the department. The replacement certificate of title shall contain the legend “This is a replacement certificate and may be subject to the rights of a person under the original certificate”.

30.54(2) (2) If a person applies for a replacement certificate under sub. (1), conservation wardens or local law enforcement officials, after presenting appropriate credentials to the owner or legal representative of the owner named in the certificate of title, shall inspect the boat’s engine serial number or hull identification number, for purposes of verification or enforcement.

30.54(3) (3) The department shall not issue a new certificate of title to a transferee upon application made on a replacement until 15 days after receipt of the application.

30.54(4) (4) A person recovering an original certificate of title for which a replacement has been issued shall promptly surrender the original certificate to the department.

30.54 History History: 1987 a. 397.

30.541 30.541 Transfers of boat titles.

30.541(1) (1) Owners. If an owner transfers an interest in a boat, other than by the creation of a security interest, the owner shall, at the time of the delivery of the boat, execute an assignment and warranty of title to the transferee in the space provided therefor on the certificate of origin and deliver the certificate of origin and the certificate of title to the transferee. The transferee shall make application for a new certificate of title as provided under s. 30.549 (2) and shall include in the application the certificate of origin.

30.541(2) (2) Dealers. If a dealer acquires a new or used boat and holds it for resale the dealer need not send the certificate of title or application for original certificate to the department. Upon transferring the boat to another person the dealer shall immediately give such person on a form prescribed by the department a receipt for all title, registration, security interest and sales tax moneys paid to the dealer for transmittal to the department when required. The dealer shall promptly execute the assignment and warranty of title, showing the name and address of the transferee and of any secured party holding a security interest created or reserved at the time of the resale, in the spaces provided therefor on the certificate of origin or the certificate of title, and shall, within 7 business days following the sale or transfer, deliver the certificate of origin and the certificate of title or application for certificate of title to the transferee.

30.541(3) (3) Involuntary transfers.

30.541(3)(a) (a) If the interest of an owner in a boat passes to another other than by voluntary transfer, the transferee shall, except as provided in par. (b), promptly mail or deliver to the department the last certificate of title, if available, and the documents required by the department to legally effect such transfer, and an application for a new certificate in the form the department prescribes.

30.541(3)(b) (b) If the interest of the owner is terminated or the boat is sold under a security agreement by a secured party, the transferee shall promptly mail or deliver to the department the last certificate of title, an application for a new certificate in the form the department prescribes, and an affidavit made by or on behalf of the secured party that the boat was repossessed and that the interest of the owner was lawfully terminated or sold pursuant to the terms of the security agreement.

30.541(3)(c) (c) A person holding a certificate of title whose interest in the boat has been extinguished or transferred other than by voluntary transfer shall mail or deliver the certificate to the department upon request of the department. The delivery of the certificate pursuant to the request of the department does not affect the rights of the person surrendering the certificate, and the action of the department in issuing a new certificate of title as provided herein is not conclusive upon the rights of an owner or secured party.

30.541(3)(d) (d)

30.541(3)(d)1. 1. In all cases of the transfer of a boat owned by a decedent, except under subd. 2., ward, trustee or bankrupt, if the department receives all of the following the department shall accept the following as sufficient evidence of the transfer of ownership:

30.541(3)(d)1.a. a. Evidence satisfactory to the department of the appointment of a trustee in bankruptcy, of a certification of trust under s. 701.1013 or the appointment of a trustee, or of the issuance of domiciliary letters or other letters authorizing the administration of a decedent’s estate, guardianship, conservatorship, special administration, or trust.

30.541(3)(d)1.b. b. Title executed by the personal representative, guardian, or trustee.

30.541(3)(d)1.c. c. Evidence concerning payment of sales or use taxes required under s. 77.61 (1) or evidence that the transfer is exempt from sales or use taxes.

30.541(3)(d)2. 2.

30.541(3)(d)2.a. a. The department shall transfer the decedent’s interest in a boat to his or her surviving spouse upon receipt of the title executed by the surviving spouse and an affidavit signed by the spouse that includes the date of death of the decedent; the approximate value and description of the boat; and a statement that the spouse is personally liable for the decedent’s debts and charges to the extent of the value of the boat, subject to s. 859.25.

30.541(3)(d)2.b. b. The transfer shall not affect any lien on the boat.

30.541(3)(d)2.c. c. Except as provided in subd. 2. d., no more than 5 boats may be transferred under this subdivision.

30.541(3)(d)2.d. d. The limit in subd. 2. c. does not apply if the surviving spouse proceeds under s. 867.03 (1g) and the total value of the decedent’s property subject to administration in the state, including boats transferred under this subdivision, does not exceed $50,000.

30.541(3)(d)3. 3. Upon compliance with this paragraph, neither the secretary nor the department shall bear any liability or responsibility for the transfer of a boat in accordance with this paragraph.

30.541(4) (4) New certificates issued.

30.541(4)(a) (a) The department, upon receipt of a properly assigned certificate of title, with an application for a new certificate of title, the required fee and any other transfer documents required by law, to support the transfer, shall issue a new certificate of title in the name of the transferee as owner.

30.541(4)(b) (b) The department, upon receipt of an application for a new certificate of title by a transferee other than by voluntary transfer, with proof of the transfer, the required fee and any other documents required by law, shall issue a new certificate of title in the name of the transferee as owner.

30.541(4)(c) (c) The department shall file and retain for 5 years a record of every surrendered certificate of title, the file to be maintained so as to permit the tracing of title of the boat designated therein.

30.541 History History: 1987 a. 397; 1989 a. 56, 128; 1991 a. 269; 1997 a. 27; 1999 a. 94; 2001 a. 102; 2005 a. 216; 2023 a. 127.

30.541 Cross-reference Cross-reference: See also s. NR 5.07, Wis. adm. code.

30.543 30.543 Report of stolen or abandoned boats. Each sheriff and police department in the state shall immediately report to the department of justice each boat reported stolen or recovered within its jurisdiction and the department of justice shall subsequently report such information to the national crime information center.

30.543 History History: 1987 a. 397.

30.544 30.544 Inspection of boats purchased out-of-state. For purposes of enforcement, conservation wardens or local law enforcement officials, after presenting appropriate credentials to the owner of a boat which was purchased outside of this state and which is subject to the certificate of title requirements of this chapter, shall inspect the boat’s engine serial number or hull identification number.

30.544 History History: 1987 a. 397.

30.547 30.547 Alterations and falsifications prohibited.

30.547(1) (1) No person may intentionally falsify an application for a certificate of title or a certificate of title issued under s. 30.537 (1) or 30.541 (4).

30.547(2) (2) No person may intentionally falsify an application for a certificate of number or registration issued under s. 30.52.

30.547(3) (3) No person may intentionally alter, remove or change any number or other character in an engine serial number.

30.547(4) (4) No person may do any of the following:

30.547(4)(a) (a) Intentionally alter, remove or change any number or other character in a hull identification number.

30.547(4)(b) (b) Manufacture a hull identification number that the person knows to be false to be placed on a boat that is manufactured after November 1, 1972.

30.547(4)(c) (c) Place a hull identification number that the person knows to be false on a boat that is manufactured after November 1, 1972.

30.547 History History: 1987 a. 397; 1997 a. 198; 2001 a. 16.

30.549 30.549 Transfer of ownership of boats with a certificate of title, certificate of number or registration.

30.549(1) (1) Duty of seller.

30.549(1)(a) (a) If the owner of a boat transfers all or any part of the owner’s interest in the boat, other than by the creation of a security interest, the owner shall give the current certificate of number card or the registration card to the new owner and shall deliver the current certificate of title, if the boat is required to be titled, to the new owner as provided under s. 30.541 (1). If the owner does not possess a current certificate of number or registration or a current title, the owner shall provide to the department any documentation or information the department determines to be necessary to effect the transfer of ownership.

30.549(1)(b) (b) When the owner of a boat that is voluntarily registered pursuant to s. 30.52 (1) (b) 1m. transfers all or any part of the owner’s interest in the boat, other than by the creation of a security interest, the owner shall send written notification of the transfer to the department within 15 days after the date of transfer.

30.549(2) (2) Duty of purchaser.

30.549(2)(a) (a) Transfer of the ownership of a boat terminates the certificate of title and the certificate of number or registration for the boat except in the case of a transfer of a part interest which does not affect the transferor’s right to operate the boat. The transferee shall make application for a new certificate of title and a new certificate of number or registration within 10 days after the date of purchase as prescribed by the department. Upon receipt of the application accompanied by the required fee, the department shall issue a new certificate of title and a new certificate of number card or registration card for the boat.