Application for certificate of title; hull and engine identification numbers

Wis. Stat. § 30.533
in effect
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(1) Certificate; contents. An application for a certificate of title shall be made to the department and shall be accompanied by the required fee. Each application for certificate of title shall contain the following information: (a) The name and address of the owner. (b) The name and address of the previous owner. (c) A description of the boat, including, if applicable, the make, year, length, series or model, hull type and hull identification number of the boat, the make of the engine and the engine serial number for a boat with an inboard motor, and any other information which the department may reasonably require for proper identification of the boat. (d) If the boat is a new boat being registered for the first time, the signature of a dealer authorized to sell such new boat and the manufacturer’s certificate of origin. Such certificate of origin shall contain such information as is prescribed by the department. (e) If the boat is a used boat which was last previously registered in another jurisdiction, the applicant shall furnish any certificate of ownership issued by the other jurisdiction and a statement pertaining to the title history and ownership of the boat, such statement to be in the form the department prescribes. (f) If the boat is a used boat which was last previously registered or titled in this state, or both, the applicant shall furnish any certificate of number or other evidence of registration and any certificate of title previously issued by this state and a statement pertaining to the title history and ownership of the boat, such statement to be in the form the department prescribes. (g) A signed statement by the applicant that the applicant has inspected the hull identification number and the engine serial number, if any, to ensure that such numbers conform with the numbers recorded on the application for a certificate of title. (h) Any further evidence of ownership which may reasonably be required by the department to enable it to determine whether the owner is entitled to a certificate of title. (2) Hull identification number. If the boat contains a permanent hull identification number placed on the boat by the manufacturer of the boat, this number shall be used as the hull identification number. If there is no manufacturer’s hull identification number, or if the manufacturer’s hull identification number has been removed, obliterated or altered, the application for certificate of title shall so state and the secretary shall assign a hull identification number to the boat. The assigned hull identification number shall be permanently affixed to, or imprinted on, the starboard side of the transom of the boat to which the hull identification number is assigned. (3) Engine serial number. If the boat has an inboard motor which contains an engine serial number, this number shall be recorded on the certificate of title as the engine serial number. If the boat has an inboard motor which does not contain an engine serial number, or if the engine serial number has been removed, obliterated or altered, the application for certificate of title shall so state and the certificate of title shall not contain an engine serial number.
Source: WI Statutes (Official Site)URL: https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/document/statutes/30.533Fetched: 10/7/2026