Selling boat but lost the title

I know I need to apply for a duplicate but I was wondering if I and the buyer could go into the license center and take of this sale and transfer without waiting for a duplicate title.

Where do you live. In mn the registration sticker is the title. Obviously the trailer has a separate title though

Live in Mn. I have separate title (like a car title) along with the registration card for the boat.

Another question. How does one transfer the trailer registration? I have no paper work on the trailer registration except for that sticker on the trailer

I bought a used Lund w trailer and the owner had nothing except his receipt for the trailer registration. When I registered online with WI it told me I needed the MSO for the boat. In my business typically a replacement MSO comes from the manufacturer, via dealer sometimes. Everything on the Lund website said contact the dealer so I called Erickson Marine (closest to me). I really didn’t want to bother a dealer with this but didn’t know where else to start. The gal that answered the phone was very familiar with the process, she was going to call the DMV with my boat registration number. This was a week ago and I still haven’t heard anything. Time to call them back or maybe I just call the DMV myself. That’s what I’d suggest doing. Have pictures of the registration of both.

1hl&sinker wrote:

Another question. How does one transfer the trailer registration? I have no paper work on the trailer registration except for that sticker on the trailer

I believe you bring the sticker number in. Because the lifetime tag does not continue to be lifetime once sold. I also had a registration card and title. But when I sold my last boat they only wanted tag off boat and tag number on trailer to switch holders

I’ll give the Dmv a call so I’m not chasing my tail around. Hopefully I can this done in one stop and all that is needed is the trailer number and the registration card.

Thanks for the replies.

You need to get a duplicate title from MNDNR. I’m not sure your local registrar can request it. The registration number and ID needed. (I’m assuming the boat is in your name). It took me 3 weeks. Trailer gets transferred by local registrar.

Yeah don’t even mess around until you get a replacement title.

When you sell the boat:

Have a bill of sale that includes the hull ID#, current registration #, motor(s) serial numbers, trailer VIN, trailer plate # OR lifetime #. It doesn’t hurt to list any accessories (trolling motors, graphs, etc) Give each item a value, since the new owner (if from MN) will only pay tax on the trailer.

If your title shows a lien (even if it’s been paid off years ago), GET A LIEN RELEASE FOR THE NEW BUYER.

Having a separate bill of sale doesn’t for the trailer doesn’t hurt, but isn’t completely necessary.

Give the new owner the new title. Sign the appropriate areas for the seller (you).

If the trailer is rated low enough for a lifetime tag, the new buyer just needs a bill of sale and current lifetime tag.

IF THE TRAILER NEEDS LICENSE PLATES (some single axles and ALL tandems), it’s best to have a title for it when you sell, along with any registration paper work (and of course a bill of sale).

The tag on the boat will tell you if it is titled and if it has a lien. It is on the top of the watercraft registration sticker. If it is titled you will need to get a duplicate title from the DMV before ownership can be transferred. Most boats manufactured after 1979 were titled, there are a few exceptions but they pertain to who was the original purchaser was (ie…Minneapolis Park Board, etc.)

Save yourself some headaches and get a duplicate before you put it up for sale. It took me over 6 month and many back and forth mailings and forms to clear the title for a pontoon boat that I purchased from an estate.

Thankfully the situation is not a time sensitive matter and the person getting the boat realizes the situation. This person is not a stranger and in fact he has the boat now just trying to get this settled up.
The weirdest thing is I keep my titles all in one place and I distinctly remember that title with the others.
I think Charlie the gremlin is messing with me again. I know when I get the duplicate the original will show then.