Out of State Titling

[packpro]

Recently Purchased a Boat in Wisconsin. I am a Illinois resident. After reading some posts I was cautioned that titling the trailer here in Illinois could be frustrating experience since Wisconsin does not title trailers. Lots of post on WC describing the hassle. This is my experience, and I hope it will help others. I went to my local Secretary of State office with paperwork in hand only to find out that only certain offices handling titling issues. The closest to me were in Elgin and Aurora. When I got there, lines were short, and personnel were generally helpful. I can see where others may have had a hassle.There were three people working the counter. Luckily I got the one who new the process for out of state titling. The other two came over to look over his shoulder as they had never done it, and in fact, talked about giving bad information to others who had inquired.

These are my suggestions that allowed my process to go smoothly:

1) Call ahead to identify the right office with titling services.
2) You need to send your boat title in to get the boat registered, but don't do that until you get the trailer plated. Having the boat title shows the purchase was made out of state. They copied my boat title, and stapled it to the application.
3) Have a bill of sale that list the boat and the trailer. I did not have the VIN number of the trailer on the bill of sale. That was OK, but it goes smoother if that VIN is on the document signed by the previous owner.
4) Certain trailers do have titles in Wisconsin. It is based on Gross Toungue Weight. I do not know where the cut off is, but in general fishing boats are not titled in Wi. My application stated "under 3000# GTW".
5) I had a picture of the manufacturers sticker with VIN# on my I-phone.
6) They will use the last eight digits of the VIN to create a registration number for the boat.
7 They take any Credit Card except Visa. Cash, Money Order, and other credit cards are good.
8) Pay your $113 and your on your way. Fairly painless, but you need the right person and you need the paperwork.

Hope this helps.

[port1042]

A couple of years ago I sold a boat to a guy in California. I'm in Wisconsin and my trailer was not titled -- but California requires a title. The buyer was told by the California DOT that they needed a letter from the WI DOT saying that the trailer had never been titled in WI. I thought "fat chance" of getting that -- but I called the WI DOT.

What a surprise. The WI DOT knew exactly what I needed. I had to provide them with a description of the trailer and VIN. They did a search and wrote a letter stating that the trailer had never been titled in WI and that because it was less than 3000 pounds did not require a title in WI.

I got that letter in the mail in less than 2 days and they billed me the $10.00 cost. 2 days later I met the buyer in Cheyenne, WY and we both experienced the happiest days in our boating lives!