Wayne County Ohio Government Web Site | Clerk of Courts | Title Division

WAYNE COUNTY CLERK OF COURTS

Watercraft Transactions

SCENARIO 1

You are buying a boat or motor.

A Certificate of Title is required on all boats 14 feet or longer and all permanently affixed means of propulsion 10 HP or greater. Canoes and kayaks are exempt.
Before purchasing a boat or motor, be sure the seller has the Certificate of Title. The seller is also required to assign the Ohio watercraft registration card to you.
Additional information on out-of-state boat titles is needed, including year, make, horsepower, model number and serial number and whether it is an inboard or outboard motor

SCENARIO 2

You are transferring your watercraft title.

Your title may be issued by the Clerk of Courts title office in any county, regardless of the location of the boat.

SCENARIO 3

You are selling a boat or motor.

Do not execute the assignment on the reverse side of the Certificate of Title until a bonafide sale has been made.
Make certain that the buyer's full name and address is inserted before you sign the assignment. Initials are not acceptable. You must have your signature notarized.
If you do not have a title for your boat or motor and have owned the boat or motor prior to October 10, 1963, your Clerk of Courts title office may issue a title to you based on your registration or sworn statement.

SCENARIO 4

You need a Hull Identification Number.

Federal boating acts require all boats manufactured after November 1972 to to show a hull identification number or serial number of not less than 12 characters.
If you have a 1973 or newer model boat, compare the hull identification number with the number on your title. If they differ, make a pencil tracing of the number (or rubbing) for your Clerk of Courts title office to make a correction.
Inboard motor serial numbers and required horsepower specs are located on an ID plate under exhaust manifold areas.

SCENARIO 5

There is no manufacturer's hull number, or the manufacturer's serial number has been removed.

A hull number must be assigned and affixed to the boat or motor before a Certificate of Title can be issued.
Application for a serial number is made to the Division of Watercraft. Forms may be obtained at a Clerk of Courts title office.

SCENARIO 6

You need to renew or apply for a new watercraft registration.

After the title has been processed in your name, you must present your boat title to the Motor Vehicle Bureau Registrar

Common Pleas Court, 107 W. Liberty St., PO Box 507 Wooster, Ohio 44691 (330-287-5590)

Wooster Municipal Court, 215 N. Grant St., Wooster, Ohio 44691 (330-287-5650)

Orrville Municipal Court, 207 N. Main St., Suite #3, Orrville, Ohio 44667 (330-682-4085)


	WAYNE COUNTY CLERK OF COURTS Clerk of Courts Home \| Common Pleas \| Municipal \| Titles \| Court Cases Login \| Notary Information \| Juror Info \| Passports \| Links Watercraft Transactions SCENARIO 1 You are buying a boat or motor. A Certificate of Title is required on all boats 14 feet or longer and all permanently affixed means of propulsion 10 HP or greater. Canoes and kayaks are exempt. Before purchasing a boat or motor, be sure the seller has the Certificate of Title. The seller is also required to assign the Ohio watercraft registration card to you. Additional information on out-of-state boat titles is needed, including year, make, horsepower, model number and serial number and whether it is an inboard or outboard motor SCENARIO 2 You are transferring your watercraft title. Your title may be issued by the Clerk of Courts title office in any county, regardless of the location of the boat. SCENARIO 3 You are selling a boat or motor. Do not execute the assignment on the reverse side of the Certificate of Title until a bonafide sale has been made. Make certain that the buyer's full name and address is inserted before you sign the assignment. Initials are not acceptable. You must have your signature notarized. If you do not have a title for your boat or motor and have owned the boat or motor prior to October 10, 1963, your Clerk of Courts title office may issue a title to you based on your registration or sworn statement. SCENARIO 4 You need a Hull Identification Number. Federal boating acts require all boats manufactured after November 1972 to to show a hull identification number or serial number of not less than 12 characters. If you have a 1973 or newer model boat, compare the hull identification number with the number on your title. If they differ, make a pencil tracing of the number (or rubbing) for your Clerk of Courts title office to make a correction. Inboard motor serial numbers and required horsepower specs are located on an ID plate under exhaust manifold areas. SCENARIO 5 There is no manufacturer's hull number, or the manufacturer's serial number has been removed. A hull number must be assigned and affixed to the boat or motor before a Certificate of Title can be issued. Application for a serial number is made to the Division of Watercraft. Forms may be obtained at a Clerk of Courts title office. SCENARIO 6 You need to renew or apply for a new watercraft registration. After the title has been processed in your name, you must present your boat title to the Motor Vehicle Bureau Registrar Common Pleas Court, 107 W. Liberty St., PO Box 507 Wooster, Ohio 44691 (330-287-5590) Wooster Municipal Court, 215 N. Grant St., Wooster, Ohio 44691 (330-287-5650) Orrville Municipal Court, 207 N. Main St., Suite #3, Orrville, Ohio 44667 (330-682-4085)