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Author Topic:   NJ Trailer Registration Requirements

Sal A posted 06-06-2014 09:17 AM ET (US)
Hey guys. Any of you Jersey guys know the answer to this?
I bought a 15' Whaler with trailer.
I have the title for the trailer - notarized.
I have the bill of sale - notarized.
MV is telling me they cant register the trailer unless I get a copy of the trailer registration from the seller. Do you know this to be true? It is not listed as a requirement on the MV website, yet they are still insistent.
I of course will try to contact the seller, and hope he has the registration for the trailer and that it is current. If it is not, MV says he will have to re-register the trailer, and then give me copy of that. I am pretty sure the seller will balk at that.

Phil T posted 06-06-2014 09:42 AM ET (US)
Sal -
In reading the NJ DMV website, it appears the requirement for the old registration is in order to transfer the plate.
Trailers are registered similar to cars.
http://www.state.nj.us/mvc/Vehicle/NewVehicle.htm
From DMV:
"Transferring registration:
You can transfer your registration to a new vehicle and continue to use the same license plates. But the name and code on the new registration must appear exactly as it did on your old vehicle's registration. The transfer fee is $4.50 plus the prorated weight class registration fee......"
jimh posted 06-06-2014 10:32 AM ET (US)
Usually in the case of a used trailer, all you'd need is a bill of sale to establish you as the owner, and you'd be able to get new license plates. Sometimes in these bureaucratic organizations, the simplest remedy to a problem like this is to go to a different office and find a different person to speak to about the process.
Sal A posted 06-06-2014 10:42 AM ET (US)
Thanks guys.
Phil, I dont have old plates; the sellers has his old plates and is to turn them in. I am registering the used trailer in my name for the first time.
Jim, I will try to go back on Monday to a new "teller".
Have a great weekend...
Dave Sutton posted 06-06-2014 01:28 PM ET (US)
Sal, I've registered a dozen trailers in NJ. Some with NJ titles, some with out of state titles, some with a certificate of origin (new trailers) and some with nothing but a notarized bill of sale from a state that does not use a title for trailers.

IF the state of former registry (Including NJ) uses a title, you need to bring in the title.
IF the state of former registry is not one that uses titles, you bring in a notarized bill of sale from the seller. IF you have a copy of the old registration you can bring it in, but there's no reason to do so.
If YOU are transferring the plates from one of YOUT trailers to another of YOUR trailers, you bring in the title and the old registration.

Dave
.
robsam posted 06-06-2014 01:28 PM ET (US)
Did you buy the trailer out of state? I once tried to register in NJ with only a bill of sale and was told no. Had to have MA registration or title.
I did just recently register a different trailer bought out of state which had a title. NJ DMV registered it no problem and did not ask for a bill of sale.
Sal A posted 06-06-2014 06:10 PM ET (US)
Chalk it up to DMV.
This is a NJ boat and trailer. I have the rille for both. I have a notarized bill of sale. and it was still told I needed the old registration. I tried to protest, but there was a line and one teller only. All I could do was be polite.
I am sure she should have registered the trailer.
Oh well. Life is too short to freak.
Nails posted 06-06-2014 07:32 PM ET (US)
Is this the DMV in Brick/Point Pleasant?
If so, smile, be pleasant, and ask them if they can help you get it resolved. There's a lot of retired/cranky old sob's who frequent the place and you'll need to separate yourself from that crowd if you want service.
sraab928 posted 06-06-2014 07:48 PM ET (US)
Sal - In NJ there are no titles for trailers - I assume you mean certificate of origin - if so that piece of paper means nothing to NJ - you flat out need the registration along with a bill of sale - its just how they do it here - I have tried many times to get around it to no avail. Ask the seller to get a duplicate registration - offer to pay him for it - otherwise you will end up with a trailer that cannot get plates in NJ and reduces its value - You can go the homemade route but that too has gotten painful.
Feel free to shoot me an email and I will give you my number to chat about it if you want.

Nails posted 06-06-2014 08:46 PM ET (US)
When I bought my whaler in 2005 there was a title issued by Karavan to the dealer, who in turn assigned it to me.
Dave Sutton posted 06-06-2014 10:49 PM ET (US)
^^ That's a certificate of origin. A title or registration, depending on the state, is issued on the basis of this for the first owner.

Dave
.
Sal A posted 06-07-2014 03:38 AM ET (US)
I looked closely.
It is a certificate of origin from Karavan that I have.
The seller will check for his old registration.
Again, thanks for the responses. I'll lick it eventually.
Sal A posted 06-07-2014 03:39 AM ET (US)
Oh, and Nails… this is the MVC in Springfield NJ.
Ridge Runner posted 06-07-2014 08:24 AM ET (US)
Sal - I have registered many trailers in NJ, new and used. You should have no issue with a bill of sale and the certificate of origin. Both of my used 170 Montauks have the factory Karavan trailers and to register them I never needed to have the original registration. On the back of the certificate of origin you just transfer ownership like a title. I never transferred the other owners plates just got new ones.
I have found that some of the smaller MVC offices have misinterpreted the requirements (my being Hazlet), if so a trip down the parkway to the larger MCV office in Eatontown has always solved the problem for me.

Nails posted 06-07-2014 09:52 AM ET (US)
Thanks for the clarification Dave and Sal. New Jersey is really a "special place" for lots of things, among them boats and trailers.
PS: I was whale-watching this morning from the Shark River Bridge (not from a whaler, but from my bike) - about 100 yards east of the inlet. What a site! We couldn't see the body, just some spray from the blow-hole. Amazing.
vze2gbs4 posted 06-07-2014 11:10 AM ET (US)
Sal

Usually MSO(manufacturer statement of origin ) is kept by DMV when you register it for a very first time.
Lot of owners think for some reason that MSO is a title for a boat and lots of them dont bother registering it and getting a NJ title ,registration and a plate.
It looks like in your case trailer was never registered .
It all depends which branch ou go to. I also registered many trailers and sometimes they will give me just registration and sometimes they will give me title and registration. It always amazes m that every branch has their own rules. I bet if you go to different branch you will have no problem registering it.
But bottom line is if you have signed MSO by first owner and notarized bill of sale from the seller you should have no problems. Just make sure that his name and first buyer section is filled by him and second assignment by you -you bought it from him not from dealership that sold it to him.
fno posted 06-09-2014 12:24 AM ET (US)
Sal, its New Jersey. You only have to go to DMV two or three times more and get a more "knowledgable" clerk that will process the paperwork without the old registration.
On the flip side, a twenty dollar bill slipped inside your papers would bring it down to only one more trip to DMV. Good luck and don't spend too much energy on this, you will be selling the boat and trailer in a year or two anyway ;-)
jimh posted 06-09-2014 01:13 PM ET (US)
A similar story:
When I bought a 1976 SPORT 15 it was on a trailer. I tried to get plates. The first clerk I spoke with informed me that I must have the trailer weighed on a certified scale and bring an official weight ticket with me to get plates.
I explained this was going to be a big problem because the boat was on the trailer, and I had no way to get the boat off the trailer for half a day while I drove the empty trailer to a certified scale. This elicited no sympathy from the clerk.
I tried another office. I explained the situation to the clerk. "How big is the boat?", he asked. I explain, "It's a little 15-foot 20-year-old outboard boat." He wrote "350-lbs" on the application for license plates, took my money, and gave me the plates. It turns out, they only want the weight to determine in what category the fee for the plates will land. The break point was something like 2,500-lbs--a very large trailer.
themclos posted 06-10-2014 04:25 PM ET (US)
Sal,
For what it's worth, I have had poor success with the Springfield DMV office. I chalk it up to them not handling many boat/trailer registrations.
I have had smooth sailing using the DMV on Route 36 in Hazlet. They seem to handle boats/trailers without blinking an eye.
Dan
Dave Sutton posted 06-10-2014 06:19 PM ET (US)
"I have found that some of the smaller MVC offices have misinterpreted the requirements (my being Hazlet), if so a trip down the parkway to the larger MCV office in Eatontown has always solved the problem for me"
My experience too (being an Exit 117 guy). Hazlet is good but Eatontown is a top tier place. Formerly I had trouble with Springfield DMV (back when I was an Exit 145 guy).
Anyone from NJ will understand the exit code...

Dave
Sal A posted 06-12-2014 08:39 AM ET (US)
Mission Accomplished!
The prior owner sent me his registration card, and I accomplished the deed this morning in 15 minutes. I asked the clerk why the trailer MSO with our signatures would not suffice, and she said that you needed that the first time a trailer would be registered, but subsequently you need the prior owner's registration. So, take heed... if you buy a used boat/trailer combination in NJ and want to register it in NJ, you need:
- Notarized bill of sale.
- Signed Title (we notarized this as well at consummation).
- prior owner's trailer registration (a copy will do supposedly).
- Trailer MSO so you can have the trailer id number. (we notarized this as well, although not needed).
- credit card to pay registration fees for boat and trailer, as well as sales tax.

We splash this weekend :)
squallman posted 06-16-2014 07:57 PM ET (US)
a long time ago I had a trailer with no paperwork and dmv allowed me to say it was homebuilt trailer and they assigned me a HB serial number!

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Author	Topic: NJ Trailer Registration Requirements
Sal A	posted 06-06-2014 09:17 AM ET (US) Hey guys. Any of you Jersey guys know the answer to this? I bought a 15' Whaler with trailer. I have the title for the trailer - notarized. I have the bill of sale - notarized. MV is telling me they cant register the trailer unless I get a copy of the trailer registration from the seller. Do you know this to be true? It is not listed as a requirement on the MV website, yet they are still insistent. I of course will try to contact the seller, and hope he has the registration for the trailer and that it is current. If it is not, MV says he will have to re-register the trailer, and then give me copy of that. I am pretty sure the seller will balk at that.
Phil T	posted 06-06-2014 09:42 AM ET (US) Sal - In reading the NJ DMV website, it appears the requirement for the old registration is in order to transfer the plate. Trailers are registered similar to cars. http://www.state.nj.us/mvc/Vehicle/NewVehicle.htm From DMV: "Transferring registration: You can transfer your registration to a new vehicle and continue to use the same license plates. But the name and code on the new registration must appear exactly as it did on your old vehicle's registration. The transfer fee is $4.50 plus the prorated weight class registration fee......"
jimh	posted 06-06-2014 10:32 AM ET (US) Usually in the case of a used trailer, all you'd need is a bill of sale to establish you as the owner, and you'd be able to get new license plates. Sometimes in these bureaucratic organizations, the simplest remedy to a problem like this is to go to a different office and find a different person to speak to about the process.
Sal A	posted 06-06-2014 10:42 AM ET (US) Thanks guys. Phil, I dont have old plates; the sellers has his old plates and is to turn them in. I am registering the used trailer in my name for the first time. Jim, I will try to go back on Monday to a new "teller". Have a great weekend...
Dave Sutton	posted 06-06-2014 01:28 PM ET (US) Sal, I've registered a dozen trailers in NJ. Some with NJ titles, some with out of state titles, some with a certificate of origin (new trailers) and some with nothing but a notarized bill of sale from a state that does not use a title for trailers. IF the state of former registry (Including NJ) uses a title, you need to bring in the title. IF the state of former registry is not one that uses titles, you bring in a notarized bill of sale from the seller. IF you have a copy of the old registration you can bring it in, but there's no reason to do so. If YOU are transferring the plates from one of YOUT trailers to another of YOUR trailers, you bring in the title and the old registration. Dave .
robsam	posted 06-06-2014 01:28 PM ET (US) Did you buy the trailer out of state? I once tried to register in NJ with only a bill of sale and was told no. Had to have MA registration or title. I did just recently register a different trailer bought out of state which had a title. NJ DMV registered it no problem and did not ask for a bill of sale.
Sal A	posted 06-06-2014 06:10 PM ET (US) Chalk it up to DMV. This is a NJ boat and trailer. I have the rille for both. I have a notarized bill of sale. and it was still told I needed the old registration. I tried to protest, but there was a line and one teller only. All I could do was be polite. I am sure she should have registered the trailer. Oh well. Life is too short to freak.
Nails	posted 06-06-2014 07:32 PM ET (US) Is this the DMV in Brick/Point Pleasant? If so, smile, be pleasant, and ask them if they can help you get it resolved. There's a lot of retired/cranky old sob's who frequent the place and you'll need to separate yourself from that crowd if you want service.
sraab928	posted 06-06-2014 07:48 PM ET (US) Sal - In NJ there are no titles for trailers - I assume you mean certificate of origin - if so that piece of paper means nothing to NJ - you flat out need the registration along with a bill of sale - its just how they do it here - I have tried many times to get around it to no avail. Ask the seller to get a duplicate registration - offer to pay him for it - otherwise you will end up with a trailer that cannot get plates in NJ and reduces its value - You can go the homemade route but that too has gotten painful. Feel free to shoot me an email and I will give you my number to chat about it if you want.
Nails	posted 06-06-2014 08:46 PM ET (US) When I bought my whaler in 2005 there was a title issued by Karavan to the dealer, who in turn assigned it to me.
Dave Sutton	posted 06-06-2014 10:49 PM ET (US) ^^ That's a certificate of origin. A title or registration, depending on the state, is issued on the basis of this for the first owner. Dave .
Sal A	posted 06-07-2014 03:38 AM ET (US) I looked closely. It is a certificate of origin from Karavan that I have. The seller will check for his old registration. Again, thanks for the responses. I'll lick it eventually.
Sal A	posted 06-07-2014 03:39 AM ET (US) Oh, and Nails… this is the MVC in Springfield NJ.
Ridge Runner	posted 06-07-2014 08:24 AM ET (US) Sal - I have registered many trailers in NJ, new and used. You should have no issue with a bill of sale and the certificate of origin. Both of my used 170 Montauks have the factory Karavan trailers and to register them I never needed to have the original registration. On the back of the certificate of origin you just transfer ownership like a title. I never transferred the other owners plates just got new ones. I have found that some of the smaller MVC offices have misinterpreted the requirements (my being Hazlet), if so a trip down the parkway to the larger MCV office in Eatontown has always solved the problem for me.
Nails	posted 06-07-2014 09:52 AM ET (US) Thanks for the clarification Dave and Sal. New Jersey is really a "special place" for lots of things, among them boats and trailers. PS: I was whale-watching this morning from the Shark River Bridge (not from a whaler, but from my bike) - about 100 yards east of the inlet. What a site! We couldn't see the body, just some spray from the blow-hole. Amazing.
vze2gbs4	posted 06-07-2014 11:10 AM ET (US) Sal Usually MSO(manufacturer statement of origin ) is kept by DMV when you register it for a very first time. Lot of owners think for some reason that MSO is a title for a boat and lots of them dont bother registering it and getting a NJ title ,registration and a plate. It looks like in your case trailer was never registered . It all depends which branch ou go to. I also registered many trailers and sometimes they will give me just registration and sometimes they will give me title and registration. It always amazes m that every branch has their own rules. I bet if you go to different branch you will have no problem registering it. But bottom line is if you have signed MSO by first owner and notarized bill of sale from the seller you should have no problems. Just make sure that his name and first buyer section is filled by him and second assignment by you -you bought it from him not from dealership that sold it to him.
fno	posted 06-09-2014 12:24 AM ET (US) Sal, its New Jersey. You only have to go to DMV two or three times more and get a more "knowledgable" clerk that will process the paperwork without the old registration. On the flip side, a twenty dollar bill slipped inside your papers would bring it down to only one more trip to DMV. Good luck and don't spend too much energy on this, you will be selling the boat and trailer in a year or two anyway ;-)
jimh	posted 06-09-2014 01:13 PM ET (US) A similar story: When I bought a 1976 SPORT 15 it was on a trailer. I tried to get plates. The first clerk I spoke with informed me that I must have the trailer weighed on a certified scale and bring an official weight ticket with me to get plates. I explained this was going to be a big problem because the boat was on the trailer, and I had no way to get the boat off the trailer for half a day while I drove the empty trailer to a certified scale. This elicited no sympathy from the clerk. I tried another office. I explained the situation to the clerk. "How big is the boat?", he asked. I explain, "It's a little 15-foot 20-year-old outboard boat." He wrote "350-lbs" on the application for license plates, took my money, and gave me the plates. It turns out, they only want the weight to determine in what category the fee for the plates will land. The break point was something like 2,500-lbs--a very large trailer.
themclos	posted 06-10-2014 04:25 PM ET (US) Sal, For what it's worth, I have had poor success with the Springfield DMV office. I chalk it up to them not handling many boat/trailer registrations. I have had smooth sailing using the DMV on Route 36 in Hazlet. They seem to handle boats/trailers without blinking an eye. Dan
Dave Sutton	posted 06-10-2014 06:19 PM ET (US) "I have found that some of the smaller MVC offices have misinterpreted the requirements (my being Hazlet), if so a trip down the parkway to the larger MCV office in Eatontown has always solved the problem for me" My experience too (being an Exit 117 guy). Hazlet is good but Eatontown is a top tier place. Formerly I had trouble with Springfield DMV (back when I was an Exit 145 guy). Anyone from NJ will understand the exit code... Dave
Sal A	posted 06-12-2014 08:39 AM ET (US) Mission Accomplished! The prior owner sent me his registration card, and I accomplished the deed this morning in 15 minutes. I asked the clerk why the trailer MSO with our signatures would not suffice, and she said that you needed that the first time a trailer would be registered, but subsequently you need the prior owner's registration. So, take heed... if you buy a used boat/trailer combination in NJ and want to register it in NJ, you need: - Notarized bill of sale. - Signed Title (we notarized this as well at consummation). - prior owner's trailer registration (a copy will do supposedly). - Trailer MSO so you can have the trailer id number. (we notarized this as well, although not needed). - credit card to pay registration fees for boat and trailer, as well as sales tax. We splash this weekend :)
squallman	posted 06-16-2014 07:57 PM ET (US) a long time ago I had a trailer with no paperwork and dmv allowed me to say it was homebuilt trailer and they assigned me a HB serial number!