Virginia Boat, RV & Powersports Guide

Private-party title transfer, registration, lien search, sales tax, and USCG documentation rules for Virginia.

Title Required

❌ No

Registration only

Bill of Sale

✅ Required

For all transfers

Sales Tax

On boat purchases

State Agency

Official Site ↗

Title & Registration in Virginia

Virginia does not issue titles for recreational boats. Instead, vessels are registered with the state. The registration certificate and bill of sale serve as proof of ownership.

Virginia does not title boats but charges 2% watercraft sales tax (capped at $2,000). Register with DGIF within 60 days.

Lien Search in Virginia

Before completing any private-party purchase, run a lien search to confirm the vessel has no outstanding loans or encumbrances.

Virginia Official Lien Search ↗

For USCG-documented vessels, also search the National Vessel Documentation Center (NVDC).

Bill of Sale Requirements

Virginia requires a bill of sale to transfer title. Your bill of sale should include:

Hull Identification Number (HIN) or VIN
Make, model, and year of the vessel
Full legal names and addresses of buyer and seller
Purchase price and date of sale
Odometer reading (motorhomes/RVs)
Signatures of both parties
Notarization if required by Virginia

Sales Tax on Boats & Powersports in Virginia

Virginia charges 2% sales tax on boat and powersports purchases. Sales tax is typically collected when you register the vessel with the state. Some counties add additional local taxes. Check with your local Virginia agency for the full rate.

USCG Documentation in Virginia

Chesapeake Bay, the Potomac, and the Atlantic coast make USCG documentation very common for Virginia vessels over 26 ft.

USCG-documented vessels carry a Certificate of Documentation (COD) issued by the National Vessel Documentation Center. This is recognized internationally and is preferred by lenders for boats over 26 ft. Even with USCG documentation, Virginia may still require state registration for operation on in-state waters.

Apply for USCG Documentation →