Vessel/Boat Titling Service (2013 or older only)
If you need to recover a title, this is the easiest way possible.
You won’t have to go to the DMV, do any inspections or tests…
And we set it up in a way that’ll get you the best bang for your buck.
But before you get started, there are some things you need to know.
First of all…
This service is used to get you a valid proof of ownership in the form of a bonded title.
If you already have proof of ownership (even if it isn’t valid), reach out to us and we may be able to get you a title for even cheaper with our registration service.
If you don’t have proof of ownership… you’re in the right place.
(YOU CANNOT BE FINANCING TO USE THIS SERVICE)
You’ll get a Montana title & permanent registration, and the vehicle will be owned by a Montana LLC, which in turn is owned by you.
Because the registration is owned by a non-resident (the Montana LLC) you won’t need to transfer the title or registration back to your state, and any transfer rules won’t apply to you.
To qualify, you cannot have a lien on your vessel.
You’ll need a:
(1) photo ID or passport
(2) HIN inspection by a police officer/DMV
(3) photo of the badge or business card of the police officer that inspected your HIN
(4) photo of the vessel
(5) photo of the HIN
We’ll set up your Montana LLC instantly after receiving your order and it will get approved within 1 business day.
What is a bonded title?
A bonded title is an insurance document we pay for which protects the DMV from liability in case the actual titled owner comes forward.
The bond company will pay out the value of the bond to a person that can prove ownership of the vehicle, then the bond company turns to our customer to pay them back for the value of the bond (although we’ve never seen it happen before).
The bond value is based on the purchase price or NADA clean retail value, whichever is higher. That’s why our price is different based on the vehicle’s value.
If you want to keep your vessel registered in Montana, there is only a $125 annual LLC renewal fee.
Once we receive your documents, here’s the time frame you can expect:
4-6 weeks to get your registration, and another 6-8 weeks to receive your title
As of March 2024, titles are taking 10-14 weeks due to a change in DMV process
Add another vehicle to your existing LLC
If you already had Dirt Legal create an LLC for you and you would like to add another vehicle to that existing LLC, please visit this page.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Once you receive the out-of-state proof of ownership from us, you should have no problem transferring it to your state if your vehicle is factory street legal. If it was manufactured for off-road use then you may not be able to transfer it to your state as street legal.
We cannot guarantee that it will transfer though, but in most cases, it will. It's best to check with your local DMV to see what they would require for an out-of-state title transfer.
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You can still sell your car while it has a bonded title, although you'll need to disclose to any potential buyers that the car has a bonded title. The person who purchased the bonded title will remain responsible for the surety bond until the title becomes clear.
To determine if you can transfer the title to your state, you will need to check with your local DMV to see the requirements, but in most cases it can be transferred.
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The LLC is classified as an ASSET HOLDING LLC, not a REVENUE GENERATING LLC, therefore, no taxes will have to be filed.
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You will want to get a policy in your name and your state with the LLC added as an additional interest. It will not be a commercial policy.
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Once your Montana LLC is it set you can continue to add vehicles to that same LLC. All you need to do is select "Yes" that you have an existing Montana LLC with Dirt Legal when you place your order here. The cost will be the regular price minus $300.
Of course, you’ll have to get your vessel insured before you can take it out on the water.
But you won’t need insurance before starting the process to title or register it.
You need to renew your registration or LLC every year…
But instead of going to the DMV or calling them and being on hold for hours, we can handle it for you.
All you need to do is sign up for our auto-renewal program.
We’ll automatically renew your registration and LLC when it’s time so you won’t have to remember to do it either.
We also have a one-time renewal service you can use.
WAIT
Since your Montana title will come bonded, there's one more step before you can get started. It's a HIN/VIN Inspection, which is basically a background check for your HIN (Hull Identification Number) to make sure there are no flags associated with it. All you have to do is download the document attached here, call your local police department, and they'll send someone out to complete it for you.
Once you have the completed doc, you can go ahead and start your order.
You’re going to get a title!
Now, I know that sounds complicated.
Which is why we’ve taken you out of the process completely.
You’ll have proof of ownership and a registration at your doorstep in no time…
And you can drive or sell your vehicle whenever you want.
All you have to do is select the proof of ownership you want to receive below and click Add To Cart to get started.
