Subdivision 1. Requirement. Except as provided in subdivision 2, a watercraft used on the waters of the state must have a certificate of title if the watercraft is kept in the state for more than 90 consecutive days.
Subd. 2. Exempt watercraft. A watercraft is not required to have a certificate of title if the watercraft is:
(1) owned by a manufacturer or dealer and held for sale;
(2) used by a manufacturer solely for testing;
(3) from a jurisdiction other than this state, temporarily using the waters of this state;
(4) owned by the United States, a state, this state, or a political subdivision;
(5) a waterfowl boat used only during waterfowl-hunting season;
(6) a rice boat used only during the wild-rice-harvesting season;
(7) owned by a person, firm, or corporation operating a resort as defined in section 157.15 or a recreational camping area as defined in section 327.14, subdivision 8, except with respect to a previously titled watercraft; or
(8) watercraft manufactured prior to August 1, 1979.
Subd. 3. Voluntary titling. The owner of a device used or designed for navigation on water and used on the waters of this state may obtain a certificate of title for the device, even though it is not a watercraft as defined in section 86B.820, subdivision 14, in the same manner and with the same effect as the owner of a watercraft required to be titled under sections 86B.820 to 86B.920. Once titled, the device is a titled watercraft as defined in section 86B.820, subdivision 13, and is and remains subject to sections 86B.820 to 86B.920, to the same extent as a watercraft required to be titled.
Subd. 4. Title required for transfer. A person may not sell or otherwise transfer a titled watercraft without delivering to the person acquiring the watercraft a certificate of title with an assignment on it to show title in the person acquiring the watercraft. A person may not acquire a watercraft required to have a certificate of title without obtaining a certificate of title for the watercraft in the person's name.
Subd. 5. No legal title without certificate. A person acquiring a watercraft, required to have a certificate of title under this section, through a sale or gift does not acquire a right, title, claim, or interest in the watercraft until the person has been issued a certificate of title to the watercraft or has received a manufacturer's or importer's certificate. A waiver or estoppel does not operate in favor of that person against another person who has obtained possession of the certificate of title or manufacturer's or importer's certificate for the watercraft for valuable consideration.
Subd. 6. No license without title. The commissioner may not issue or renew a watercraft license to an owner of a titled watercraft unless the owner has been issued or has applied for a certificate of title for the watercraft.
1989 c 335 art 1 s 223; 1990 c 391 art 10 s 3; 1995 c 207 art 9 s 60; 2001 c 185 s 21; 2008 c 350 art 1 s 1; 2011 c 107 s 42; 2013 c 121 s 27
Structure Minnesota Statutes
Chapters 85 - 87A — Recreation
Chapter 86B — Water Safety And Watercraft
Section 86B.001 — Water Use Policy.
Section 86B.005 — Definitions.
Section 86B.101 — Watercraft Safety Program.
Section 86B.105 — Sheriff's Safety Program.
Section 86B.106 — Barring Vehicles From Unsafe Ice.
Section 86B.107 — Removing Submerged Vehicles From State Waters.
Section 86B.111 — Navigation Markers And Buoys.
Section 86B.115 — Using Docks And Structures For Advertising.
Section 86B.121 — Races, Competitions, And Exhibitions.
Section 86B.125 — Leased Watercraft.
Section 86B.13 — Aquatic Invasive Species Prevention Program.
Section 86B.201 — State Law And Local Ordinance Authority.
Section 86B.205 — Water Surface Use Ordinance.
Section 86B.211 — Water Safety Rules.
Section 86B.301 — Watercraft Licenses Required.
Section 86B.305 — Youth Operators.
Section 86B.311 — General Rules For Operation.
Section 86B.313 — Personal Watercraft; Regulations.
Section 86B.315 — Towing Person On Water Skis Or Other Device.
Section 86B.321 — Noise Limits.
Section 86B.325 — Discharge From Marine Toilets Prohibited.
Section 86B.33 — Operating While Impaired.
Section 86B.335 — Testing For Alcohol And Controlled Substances.
Section 86B.341 — Duties And Liabilities At Accident Or Incident.
Section 86B.401 — Watercraft Licenses.
Section 86B.405 — Dealer's License.
Section 86B.411 — Government Watercraft Licenses.
Section 86B.415 — License Fees.
Section 86B.421 — Licensing By Political Subdivisions.
Section 86B.501 — Personal Flotation And Lifesaving Devices.
Section 86B.505 — Watercraft Capacity Plates.
Section 86B.515 — Sirens And Sound-producing Devices.
Section 86B.521 — Motorboat Noise Control.
Section 86B.525 — Device For Arresting Backfire.
Section 86B.531 — Fire Extinguishers And Fuel Area Ventilation.
Section 86B.532 — Carbon Monoxide Detection; System Requirements.
Section 86B.535 — Marine Toilets.
Section 86B.601 — Scuba Diving.
Section 86B.701 — Funding County Water Safety.
Section 86B.705 — Allocating Water Recreation Account, Fines, And Forfeited Bail Money.
Section 86B.706 — Water Recreation Account; Receipts And Purpose.
Section 86B.801 — Enforcement Authority.
Section 86B.805 — Enforcement Watercraft.
Section 86B.811 — Criminal Penalties.
Section 86B.815 — Violation As Evidence In Civil Action.
Section 86B.820 — Definitions.
Section 86B.825 — Certificate Of Title Required.
Section 86B.830 — Applying For And Issuing Certificate Of Title.
Section 86B.835 — Dealer Acquisition And Transfer.
Section 86B.840 — Transfer By Owner.
Section 86B.841 — Transfer-on-death Title To Watercraft.
Section 86B.845 — Temporary Watercraft Use Permits.
Section 86B.850 — Duplicate Certificate.
Section 86B.855 — Suspending Or Revoking Certificate.
Section 86B.860 — Responsibilities Of Commissioner.
Section 86B.875 — Inapplicable Liens And Security Interests.
Section 86B.880 — Security Interests.
Section 86B.885 — Owner-created Security Interest.
Section 86B.890 — Licensed Watercraft Previously Perfected.
Section 86B.895 — Satisfaction Of Security Interest.
Section 86B.900 — Disclosing Security Agreement.
Section 86B.905 — Effect Of Suspension Or Revocation On Security Interest.
Section 86B.910 — Undisclosed Security Interests.