Ohio law requires the titling of personal watercraft (commonly called jet skis, wave runners, etc.). A title must be issued for one of these items regardless of length if the motor is 10 horsepower or greater. These vessels are titled as inboard boats. If owned prior to January 1, 2000, a title is not required until the personal watercraft is sold, mortgaged or otherwise disposed of.

Ohio law requires all watercraft to have a 12-digit hull identification number before it can be titled.

An outboard boat and outboard motor will have two separate titles. Inboard or inboard/outboard boats have one title describing the boat.

Paperwork is completed and liens are filed in the same manner as motor vehicle titles with two exceptions:

• No out-of-state inspection is needed on a boat coming in from out-of-state. If the boat doesn’t have a 12-digit HIN, then it must be inspected by a Watercraft Officer through the Ohio Department of Natural Resources.
• No odometer statement is required.

Note: Canoes and Kayaks are not titled in Ohio.