Vehicles

Miscellaneous

Boats and Motors Liens

Filing liens on boats, motors, and trailers follows these rules:

  • Boat: This is titled property. File the lien using a title lien statement.
  • Trailer: Also titled property. File the lien using a title lien statement.
  • Inboard Motor: Considered part of the boat, so no separate filing is needed.
  • Outboard Motor: File separately using a UCC-1 financing statement with the Secretary of State’s office.
  • Inboard/Outboard Motor:
    • If the secured party files a separate lien on just the motor, file it with the Secretary of State.
    • Sometimes this motor is part of the boat and covered by the boat’s lien.
  • Boat Liens: Always file on a title lien statement unless the boat is a documented vessel (see below).

Documented Boats/Vessels

To register a documented boat, customers must contact:

National Vessel Documentation Center
2039 Stonewall Jackson Dr
Falling Waters, WV 25419
Phone: 1-800-799-8362
Fax: 1-304-271-2405

All filings and information for documented vessels are handled by this office.

Requirements for a documented vessel:

  1. The boat must be at least 5 net tons (usually about 25 feet or longer).
  2. The owner must be a U.S. citizen.
  • Recreational vessels that meet these requirements can be documented voluntarily.
  • Commercial vessels must have a certificate of documentation from the U.S. Coast Guard.

Taxes on documented boats are handled through the local Property Valuation Administrator (PVA) office and collected by the sheriff. Owners must file a return with the PVA.

Registration for documented boats is surrendered in the KAVIS system. These vessels are exempt from the usual registration and renewal process (KRS 235.070(2)(f)).

Preferred Ship Mortgages

  • Mortgages or related documents for documented vessels must be filed with the U.S. Coast Guard’s National Vessel Documentation Center (address above).
  • Requirements for filing a mortgage:
    • Submit one original and one copy, no changes allowed.
    • Signed by the vessel owner(s) and notarized.
    • Include addresses of both borrower (mortgagor) and lender (mortgagee).
    • Must cover the entire vessel, include a specific amount, and identify the vessel by name, official number, or hull number.
    • Pay a $4.00 fee per page (each side counts as a page). Fee applies to the original document only.
    • The vessel must have a valid Certificate of Document or an application for one before filing.
  • Mortgages can be ended or removed by submitting a satisfaction or release form, court order, affidavit, or Declaration of Forfeiture.

File Searches

Anyone can request a search of UCC or Title Lien files. The County Clerk will provide a certificate showing whether a financing statement is on file for a particular debtor, including the filing date, time, and the secured parties’ names and addresses. The fee is $5.00 per name searched.

UCC Filings

  • All new UCC filings (except for Fixture Filings, Timber to be Cut, and As Extracted Mineral) must be filed with the Secretary of State.
  • A UCC filing is effective for five years from the filing date (KRS 355.9-515).
  • The filing lapses after five years unless a continuation statement is filed with the Secretary of State before it expires.