BOAT 156 Form – The BOAT 156 form is the official California DMV document titled “Notice of Pending Lien Sale for Vessels or Vessel/Trailers Valued at $1,500 or Less.” Lienholders use it to notify registered owners, legal owners, interested parties, and the DMV of an upcoming public lien sale when towing, storage, or repair bills remain unpaid.
This form applies specifically to vessels (boats) or vessel/trailer combinations with a fair market value of $1,500 or less. It follows the Boaters Lien Law under Harbors and Navigation Code §504 and protects lienholders while giving owners a chance to reclaim their property or dispute the lien.
Download the official BOAT 156 PDF here:
https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/uploads/2025/02/BOAT-156-R1-2019-ASB-WWW.pdf
(The form is current as of its 1/2019 revision and remains the active version per the latest DMV registration procedures manual.)
What Is the BOAT 156 Form Used For?
The BOAT 156 serves as formal notice that a lienholder plans to sell a low-value vessel at public auction to recover unpaid charges for towing, storage, repairs, or related services. It informs recipients they can:
- Pay the outstanding bill and reclaim the vessel before the sale date.
- Dispute the lien by filing a Declaration of Opposition with the DMV within 15 days (which temporarily stops the sale).
- Take no action (though the last registered owner may still face liability for removal and disposal costs).
The form requires a Fair Market Value Statement signed by a licensed yacht and ship broker confirming the vessel’s value is $1,500 or less (this is not needed for police impounds).
Who Must File the BOAT 156 Form?
Lienholders (or their authorized agents) who have performed towing, storage, or repair services on a vessel must file it. This includes:
- Towing companies
- Boat storage facilities
- Repair shops
- Marinas providing services under the Boaters Lien Law (Harbors and Navigation Code §§500–509)
The lienholder must send the completed BOAT 156 by certified mail, return receipt requested, 35 to 60 days before the scheduled sale date (the day the notice is mailed does not count toward the timeline).
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Complete and Submit the BOAT 156 Form?
- Describe the vessel or vessel/trailer — Enter the CF number, registration year, hull ID number (HIN), length, make, model, trailer plate (if applicable), etc.
- Detail the lien — List the date the owner was billed, whether a public agency authorized the services, and break down amounts for storage (daily rate), towing, repairs, parking violations (CVC 22851.1), and lien sale costs.
- Provide sale information — Include the date the notice was mailed, exact sale date and time, and full address of the sale location.
- Certify under penalty of perjury — Sign and date the form, confirming no valid defense to the lien exists and the sale complies with California Military and Veterans Code and federal law.
- Attach the Fair Market Value Statement (unless it’s a police impound).
- Mail copies by certified mail to:
- Registered owner
- Legal owner
- Any known interested parties
- DMV Lien Sale Unit, P.O. Box 932317, Sacramento, CA 94232-3170
DMV will mark the vessel record upon receipt. After the sale, the lienholder must account for proceeds and forward any excess to DMV within 15 days.
BOAT 156 vs. BOAT 166: Which Form Do You Need?
| Vessel Value | Form Required | Notice Period | Additional Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| $1,500 or less | BOAT 156 | 35–60 days before sale | Fair Market Value Statement + certified mail |
| Over $1,500 | BOAT 166 (after BOAT 152 authorization) | 20 days before sale | Prior DMV authorization + newspaper ad |
Use BOAT 156 only for vessels valued at $1,500 or less. Higher-value vessels require a different process starting with the BOAT 152 application.
After Filing BOAT 156: What Happens Next?
- DMV records the pending lien sale.
- The vessel must be available for inspection at least one hour before the sale.
- Owners have 15 days from receiving the notice to file a Declaration of Opposition.
- If no opposition and the sale proceeds, the lienholder applies sale proceeds to the lien and costs; any surplus goes to DMV for the former owner.
- The lien sale must follow strict timelines or the lien may become invalid.
Important Legal Requirements and Warnings
- The form must be sent within 60 days of the lien arising.
- All statements are made under penalty of perjury.
- Recipients who are the last registered owner and ignore the notice may still be liable for removal and disposition costs.
- The sale must comply with Harbors and Navigation Code §504 and related military and federal codes.
Always consult the latest DMV Vessel Liens—Boaters Lien Law handbook section for full compliance, as procedures can update.
Frequently Asked Questions About the BOAT 156 Form
Where can I download the BOAT 156 PDF?
Direct official link: https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/uploads/2025/02/BOAT-156-R1-2019-ASB-WWW.pdf
Is there a filing fee with DMV for BOAT 156?
No fee is required when submitting the BOAT 156 notice itself (unlike the authorization process for higher-value vessels).
Can I oppose the lien sale?
Yes — complete the Declaration of Opposition section on the form and mail it to DMV within 15 days. This stops the sale until the lienholder pursues court action.
What if the vessel is worth more than $1,500?
You must use the BOAT 152/BOAT 166 process instead.
For the most current instructions, always refer to the official California DMV Lien Sale Unit or the Vehicle Industry Registration Procedures Manual. The BOAT 156 form remains the essential tool for lawful lien sales on low-value vessels in California.