Move a Boat and Trailer to Indiana

An Indiana resident must apply for the watercraft title within 60 days. The separate rule allowing valid out-of-state registration for 60 consecutive days applies to nonresidents, so do not use it as an indefinite resident grace period. Title the road trailer within the new-resident vehicle window.

Indiana residents title watercraft unless a specific registration exemption applies. The former title exemptions for pre-1986 boats, homemade boats, low-value new boats, nonmotorized sailboats, and voluntary registrations have been removed, so use the current BMV rule rather than an older checklist.

An out-of-state watercraft needs a physical inspection on State Form 39530. Match the hull identification number to the ownership record before filing; use State Form 12907 when the boat is assembled, its HIN is missing, or the number has been changed. Inspect and title the highway trailer separately under its own VIN rule.

Register covered watercraft annually and display the current decals. Nonmotorized watercraft other than sailboats are generally exempt, while nonmotorized sailboats must be registered. A nonresident boat docked on Lake Michigan has a separate 180-consecutive-day allowance.