Guided Steps with Instructions
Titling and Registering your Watercraft in VA
If you are a Virginia resident and ride jet ski in Virginia waters, you must Title the vessel on your name and register it.
Follow the instructions below with steps how to properly title and obtain registration.
Step 1 - Obtain Title and Bill of Sale from the Seller
When you purchase a jet ski from a private buyer, you need to obtain the Title and Bill of Sale from the seller. Unless you bought it from the state that does not have titles for small personal watercrafts. These states use registration card instead. Thus, you will need to get this card from the seller instead of the title. For example, Rhode Island, Delaware and New Jersey do not have Titles for PWCs.
If the seller is located in a state that requires titles but for some reason the seller does not have a title for it on hand, you are screwed! It could be a big problem for you. So if the seller lost the title, ask them to obtain a duplicate for $7-$10 and then sign it and sell the ski.
If the Seller does not have a Title because they got it without paperwork from someone else in their tern, then you would have to follow a long multistep process of filing an abandoned jet ski procedure that does not guarantee you will ever get a new title for it. Plus the last registered known owner may claim an interest in it and it might cause even bigger hustle.
TIP
Make sure that the VIN/HIN number on the Title matches the VIN Plate on the Jet ski. Also ensure that the field with the name of the buyer is empty so you can put your name in there. Seller must sign the Seller's portion on the title. It typically only requires a signature of the Seller.
Notary is Not required in VA. Just a simple Bill of Sale for a Vessel will work.
Step 2 - File the paperwork
Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries (DGIF) issues Titles for VA PWCs.
There are 3 ways of registering and titling your jet ski:
- Instantly register your jet ski same day online and then mail the Title with Bill of Sale
- File it by mail
- Visit DGIF office location to do it in person
How to file Online
Go to: https://vessel.gooutdoorsvirginia.com/Vessel/CustomerLookup.aspx and click on “Enroll Now!”
The system will take you through the process, just fill out your personal information. At the end you will pay the fees and have your registration ready. You can now mail the Title to DGIF office. You can ride the jet ski right away with your printed registration while you are waiting for the Registration stickers and a new Title from DGIF office.
How to File by Mail
If you do not wish to do it online, you can do it all by mail. Just print the Application for Watercraft Certificate of Title and Certificate of Number and include: Application, Title, Bill of Sale and check for fees to the mail. Mail to: Department of Wildlife Resources – Client Services, PO BOX 9930, Henrico, VA, 23228-9930.
You should hear from them within 2 weeks from the date they receive your package. Typically they create an Account for you on their Online Portal and send you an Email about titling being processed. Then they mail you a new Title on your name with a registration sticker. If you don’t hear from them for a long time, it could be a good idea to call the office and have your tracking ready to prove they received the package.
Tip
Before mailing the paperwork, take pictures or scanner copies of all documents for your record and mail with a Tracking Number! DGIF office tend to loose papers during reviewing process. Especially after they closed the office during the pandemic and did the work remotely. You will thank me for that one, you're welcome.
How to File in Person
You can drive to DGIF Office at 7870 Villa Park Drive, Suite 400, Henrico, Virginia 23228 (8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. M-F except holidays). However, their office was closed in March 2020 for quarantine and did not fully reopen. I suggest you call them at: 1-866-721-6911 in advance or Email: boat-reg@dwr.virginia.gov
tip
Yes, you can get a jet ski Title and Registration through DMV Office as well but it's a bad idea! DMV sends your paperwork to DGIF anyways so not only it will greatly extend the processing time but also will put a risk of your papers to be lost because you just added an extra chain to the procedure. DMVs are already way behind the schedule due to COVID lockdowns so don't bother doing it through them. Although, your trailer Titling and plates will have to be done with your local DMV.
How Much Does it Cost To Title and Register Personal Watercraft Jet Ski in VA
3-year Registration will cost $32
Title costs $10
Tax: 2% from the purchase price.
Jet Ski Insurance in VA
It is Not obligatory to have insurance for jet ski used for pleasure and personal use in Virginia State. It’s optional so buy it at your own discretion.
Insurance is required for jet ski rental businesses.
Jet Ski license in VA
All jet ski operators from 14 years old and older must acquire a Boating Safety Certificate. This is an Online Safety Course that you take in a form of quiz.
It consists of several educational information slides and a test after each topic.
After you pass all tests, you will receive your Course Certificate to your email. Print it and have it present with you in your jet ski every time you ride it. In case you get stopped, you must show this certificate to the patrol.
It usually takes 5 hours to go through the slides and tests. You will be able to pause it at any moment and continue later.
Tip
There are many online services that provide this course for some fee. But BoatUs Foundation is the only Free State Approved Service.
Know VA regulations and ride responsibly! There are enough fools on water, don't be one of them.
Prepare PWC for your First Trip
Now that you have all your paperwork straight, you can head to boat ramp for your first launch.
But before you push on the throttle, make sure you have a rope in your PWC storage compartment and $20 in cash. If something goes wrong, and you get stuck in a middle of open water, your best option will be to ask for passing-by vessels to tow you to the closest marina. Boat towing companies charge literally $1,000 for towing.
Other boaters are usually quite sympathetic to such situations and willing to help each other as it can happen to anyone.
Tip
Always have a small knife and couple simple tools with you. In case you suck a tube rope or some debris into a jet pump or intake grate, tools will help you to get to the shore.
I have a boat and two jet skis that I need to renew. I have gone online and was able to renew my boat, but Game and inland fisheries does not have my (2) jet skis in system but I bought the jet skis same time I bought Boat and all three have been registered back in 2018 with inspection stickers due this Month. How do I go about renewing Jet Skis?
Hi, the renewal costs the same as the first time registration. If you logged in to your Online Account and did not see your jet skis in the record, you can do everything by mail. Just print the application and apply for the registration only. If you had it registered before, I am assuming you have Titles on your name so everything will go smooth.
I bought a jetski from a guy that last had it registered in Wisconsin. I was told the ski didn’t have a title because Wisconsin is a non titling state. He put the registration in my name upon selling it to me so I could operate it for 90 days until I got it titled and registered. I want to get it registered and titled in VA, but everywhere seems to be giving me a hard time. How do I go about this the right way, or is this guy screwing me sideways?
Wisconsin’s DNR website says they only Title boats 16 feet in length or greater, so the guy who sold you the jet ski is correct. Instead of Title they issue Registration cards. I don’t quite understand what do you mean when you said that he put the registration in your name… Where did he do so? Registration cards on someone’s name are issued by the agencies such as DNR in his state or DGIF in Virginia. Upon the sale he was supposed to provide you with his Registration card and a Bill of Sale, so you need to take them to DGIF location in Virginia to have the jet ski titled and registered on you.
I want to buy a jet ski and he said that it had no title only a bill of sale. Will this keep me from registering it here in VA? I dont want to buy it if I wont be able to register and title it.
Hi Lisa! Well, it depends. If it’s currently registered in a non-titling state, then it’s not supposed to have a Title. Those states issue registration only. In this case, you are fine, just grab the registration card and a bill of sale.
But if it’s currently registered in a state that does issue Titles for PWCs, then yes, it’s a problem. You won’t be able to Title and register it in Virginia right away and you may have to go through a Title rebuilding procedure. You can learn more about Title restoration process: https://jetskiforsalevirginia.com/lost-jet-ski-title-service/
But to give you a heads up, not all cases wrap up successfully. You may end up with a jet ski which you won’t be able to title and register in VA.
Hope this helps, good luck!
Is the office currently open to come in person?
Which one are you heading to? If it’s the Headquarters office in Henrico, VA then Yes, they are open to walk-in traffic. Here is more info: https://dwr.virginia.gov/about/offices/