Alaska Boat Registration: All you need to know Now

by Boat Alert / Last Updated: March 27, 2024 / Boat Buying

Alaska Boat Registration HIN Check

Alaska boat registration FAQs are found below and can be downloaded as PDF. We have written this page to inform the boating community about registration requirements, recording methods, and title search guidelines for the State of Alaska. We also cover the titling fees if applicable.

We will cover information about the Boat Registration Agency in this state and if you are wondering about Registration and marking requirements we have an overview of that as well. We also talk about Registration Requirements for boats in Alaska along with things you need to know about boat Ownership and Liens so you can better perform Boat Title Searches or boat history lookups in AK.

Where are Alaska Boats Registered?

Remember, some states have titling for boats and others do not. Alaska issues both registrations and titles for all non-exempt boats operating within its jurisdiction. These are administered by the AK STATE Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) in Anchorage. The registration is good for 3 years.

Does Alaska title boat trailers?

Outboard motors are not titled or registered in Alaska. Boat trailer registrations are also handled through the Division of Motor Vehicles.

Does Alaska have clean titles? Boat titles are always “clean” unless a state has enacted UCOTVA. All other states will not have any indication on the title that the boat has a salvage or total loss brand like cars have on their titles.

Did you know that 147,000 boats titled in the State of Alaska make up 0.4% of all USA vessel registrations?

For more boating statistics see: Volume of Recreational boating vessels in the U.S.

Alaska Boat Registration Numbers

Alaska boat registration numbers begin with a “AK”. The AK designation is followed by four numbers and then two letters like in most states. You will have to display these as shown above, if your boat is not documented at the USCG. Put the AK boat registration sticker tab next to it. The state reg. number should not be confused with the 12 character Hull ID (HIN).

All boats manufactured after 1972 are required to have a 12 digit hull identification number affixed to the vessel by the manufacturer. State assigned hull numbers prefixed with the letters “AKZ” are available for home made boats and those without factory designations. Hull number inspections are not required in Alaska unless there is a discrepancy. (use HinDecoder.com to validate your HIN formatting is good)

Order engraved HIN Tag ID Plate from ebay here.

Exceptionally, a Coast Guard documented vessel does not need to display the state registration number but instead they would display the state registration tabs, an owner designated vessel name, and a hailing port. The USCG Official documentation number must also be affixed on other locations on the boat: interior location in the hull itself or an integral part of the hull.

Boat Liens Database In Alaska

Security interests in state titled boats are recorded with the DMV in AK. These will be shown on both the registration and title certificates if there are any. Security interests in boats that are neither titled or USCG documented are recorded with the Secretary of State as Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) filings. If the vessel is USCG documented, a lender’s security interests will be recorded with the National Vessel Documentation Center (NVDC) and are indexed on the boat’s abstract of title. This is different from state registration lookups and can be ordered at boat-abstract.com.

Tax liens may be flagged on boat registration records, recorded as UCC filings, shown on state revenue records, or filed with a county clerk’s office. There are no provisions for recording mechanic’s liens or other non-secured claims against state titled boats. Uniform Commercial Code searches are available online from the Secretary of State.

Alaska Boat Title Search

Boat title and registration records in Alaska are maintained by the Division of Motor Vehicles. This agency does not have a online search on their website but you can search the boat-alert.com database.

Alaska Boat Registration Lookup

The Boat-Alert.com database combines 72+ nationwide databases into a single place so you can search in a matter of minutes. These include records for stolen boats, marine lien claims, boating accidents, pollution incidents, auctioned boats, factory recalls, and boat manufacturers.

Titling & Registration Requirements in Alaska

• TITLING
  • REQUIRED: Yes EFFECTIVE DATE : 2019
  • VESSEL TYPES: More than 24 ft
  • EXEMPTIONS: An undocumented boat 24 feet or less in length A boat of any length documented with the U.S. Coast Guard Note: A documented boat is also exempt from state numbering, however, the State of Alaska registration decal must be displayed.
  • FEES: $24
  • DUPLICATE FEE: $20
  • TRANSFER FEE:
• REGISTRATION
  • VESSEL TYPES: All boats not specifically exempted
  • EXEMPTIONS: a ship’s lifeboat a seaplane an inspected passenger vessel; and single air mattress, single inner tube, or other water toy Non-powered boats Registered elsewhere Owned by a government A foreign documented boat
  • USCG DOCUMENTED VESSELS REQUIRED:
  • NUMBER OF DAYS BEFORE REGISTRATION REQUIRED:
  • FEES: $24 for powered boats $10 for non-powered boats
  • DUPLICATE REGISTRATION FEE: $5
  • DUPLICATE DECAL FEE:
  • TRANSFER FEE:
  • LATE FEE:

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