Section 187.306 - Certificate of title required(a) Except as otherwise provided in paragraphs (b) and (c) of this section, the owner of a vessel must deliver to the office of the State in which the vessel is principally used an application for a certificate of title for the vessel, with the applicable fee, not later than 20 days after the later of- (1) The date of a transfer of ownership; or(2) The date the State becomes the State of principal use.(b) An application for a certificate of title is not required for-(2) A foreign-documented vessel;(4) A vessel before delivery if the vessel is under construction or completed pursuant to contract; or(5) A vessel held by a dealer for sale or lease.(c) The office may not issue, transfer, or renew a certificate of number for a vessel issued pursuant to 46 U.S.C. 12301 unless it has created a certificate of title for the vessel or an application for a certificate for the vessel and the applicable fee have been delivered to the office.