DMV Actions & Status Codes | Tax Issues

A certificate of number is not valid if the:

1. boat is documented or required to be documented under CFR 46, Part 67.
2. owner transfers all of their interest in the boat.
3. boat is destroyed or abandoned.
4. application for the certificate contains a false or fraudulent statement.
5. fees for the issuance of the certificate are not paid.

A certificate becomes invalid 60 days after the date when Alaska is no longer the state of principal use for the boat.

An owner is required to surrender the certificate to DMV within 15 days after it becomes invalid. “Surrender” means mailing or delivering the certificate to any DMV office. If the certificate has been lost, DMV offices will accept a verbal or written report of the status.

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DMV ACTIONS / STATUS CODES

The same status codes that are used on vehicle records (T-4) may be used on boat records with the same meanings and effects. The owner’s name will not be removed from the record but the status will reflect what has been reported for that boat.

DMV offices receiving a surrendered certificate should take the following actions:

• Documented Boats – Fax or email the boat AK number to Contract Services. They will put a hold “H” on the record to prevent further registration activity. Enter “Documented Boat” in the message field.
• Transfer of Ownership – Any office may enter a Transfer Pending “T” status on the record when the boat has been sold. Check the record to ensure that the new owner has not applied for a certificate of number before entering a transfer.
• Destroyed or Derelict Boat – Any office may enter a Junked “J” status for any boat that is reported to be destroyed or rendered unusable as a boat. The message on the status will read “Junked/Destroyed/Dismantled”. This status does not apply to a boat that is just being stored out of the water for a period of time.
• Fraudulent Application – This status will be a hold status “H” and will normally only be placed on the record by the DMV Registrar.
• Fees Not Paid – This status will normally be due to an NSF check or stop payment. Fiscal Services used to enter an “N” status on the record.
• Transfer to Another State – Any office may place a Foreign Transfer “F” status on the record. In the message field enter the name of the state where the boat is now used.

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TAX ISSUES

Entering the correct status is important for local tax purposes. Many local governments will use the DMV boat records to check to see if owners are reporting boats for personal property tax purposes. If there is no status on the record the local government will assume the tax should be paid. If the owner wants proof that the status of a boat record has been changed, they may request a copy of the record after the status has been changed. There is a $10.00 fee for a boat record. (See B-43 for other fees)

Cross Reference:

HISTORY:

4/2004 - Changed "Field Services" to "Contract Services".

7/1/06 - Fee change for boat history from $5 to $10.

LAST BOAT SOP