Title vs. Registration: What's the Difference?

Not all Ohio boats require a title, but all Ohio boats do require a registration.

Titles are used to show proof of ownership on valuable property. Titles are issued by the county Clerks of Court. If your boat requires a title, the title must show your name before the registration can be written in your name. Titles don't get updated for current information like your registration does. The only time a title will change is when the owner of the property (boat or motor) changes.

Registrations outwardly link a boat to the owner, much like the license plate on a car. A registration is where the "OH" numbers come from. Federal law requires the display of a registration number on recreational boats. The registration number identifies the boat from a distance. And in our boat registration database, the registration number brings together the title information with current owner information and other particulars about the boat, like means of propulsion and style of boat.