Rhode Island Boat Sales

The Rhode Island and Providence Plantations Department of Environmental Management (DEM) asks that if your boat is or will be moored within the state for more than ninety days a year that you register your boat with them. All you need to register and title (Rhode Island is a title state) a new boat is the Bill of Sale on dealer's letterhead and the Manufacturer's Statement of Origin. There is no sales tax on new boats, however there is a sales tax (7%) on outboard motors.

To register a boat from out of state or a used boat, you will need a notarized Bill of Sale or a notarized gift statement, a title signed and notarized from bona fide seller, or the most current registration certificate if boat is coming from a non-title state. If the boat was purchased prior to July 29, 1993 sales tax is probably due. Check with the DEM as it must be paid to the RI Division of Taxation, One Capitol Hill, Providence, RI (phone 401-222-6278) prior to registration.

To register a US Coast Guard Documented vessel you will need a copy of US Coast Guard Documentation Certificate Completed Documented Boat Registration Application.

All forms are at the boat registration office, located at 235 Promenade Street in Providence. Applications can also be mailed to you if you call (401)222-6647. You will need, depending on your circumstances, a Boat Registration Application, an Outboard Motor Registration Application, a Use Tax Return (Sales tax), and the Application for Initial Vessel Certificate of Title.

The cost of registration varies with the length of the boat. It runs from $30.00 for a boat up to 15 feet to $600.00 for a boat over 50 feet long. This is for a two year registration. If your boat greater than thirty feet you may request to register for one year. Also if boat is transferred and currently registered in Rhode Island by the previous owner, you can pay a $5.00 transfer fee for each remaining registration year. There is also a $2.00 fee for duplicate decals if they were not attached to the boat. A boat registration year runs from March 1 through the last day of February of the following year. Your outboard engine must also be registered for $20.00.

Titling your boat in Rhode Island costs $25.00 if the initial Rhode Island title is issued without a bank lien. A $5.00 title transfer fee is imposed for a boat already titled in RI being transferred to another owner titling in RI with no loan. Additional fees apply when there is a loan, a filing fee of $15.00 for each outstanding loan recorded with title and a $20.00 title transfer (vs $5.00) if the boat is already titled in RI being transferred to another owner titling in RI with a loan.