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. 30.53330.533 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)(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. 30.53530.535 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 HistoryHistory: 1987 a. 397. 30.53730.537 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)(b)(b) According to hull identification number or engine serial number or both. 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: