State laws?....
This will be a hard question to answer, since this is a State law and varies from state to state.
I had a case a few years back where I was given an old hull from a Yamaha, with no motor. I had a motor but before I invested all the time in it, I decided I needed to try to get it licensed first.
Here, in Alabama, all we need is a bill of sale. They take that hull number on the registration and put it in the computer for a search to determine if it comes up stolen. If not, they will issue you a new registration for the season, with a renewall mailed annually. Alabama is a "no title" state.
From what I understand, most states are titles states when it comes to PWC's. What I don't understand is that you've gone to the correct place. Did you even ask her if a title was required or would the previous years registration be enough? This is proof that the ski is registered by it's present owner.
Because states vary so much, I'd pull up your states government web site and search from there........sorry I couldn't be of much more service to you.:cheers: