REGISTRATION, NUMBERING, AND DOCUMENTATION

Display Of Identification Number And Decal

All vessels required to be numbered except sailboards, must display the identification number stated on the certificate of number issued by the department to the vessel owner and the decals supplied by the department:

While not required to display registration numbers, a sailboard must display the decals supplied by the department to the front half of the top of the sailboard.

Certificate-Of-Number And Registration

• Applications for a certificate-of-number and registration are available at designated department offices.
• Vendor agents are authorized to issue temporary and permanent certificates-of number and registrations.
• The certificate-of-number and registration decals are valid for a period of time ending three years from the date of issue and must be carried onboard whenever the vessel is underway.

• A certificate of number (registration card) will be issued upon registering the vessel. The numbers assigned on the card must be properly displayed on your vessel.
• The owner/operator of a vessel must carry a valid certificate of number whenever the vessel is underway.
• When moved to a new state of principal use, the current certificate is valid for 90 days. Check with your state boating authority for any additional registration requirements.
• The registration card must be carried on board whenever the boat is underway!

NUMBERING

Registered boats must display assigned numbers properly. The state will issue you a registration number, which is found on your registration card. The number needs to be displayed in the following manner:

• Numbers must be permanently attached to the forward half of the vessel, generally the bow area.
• At least 3” in height. Block letters and numbers.
• Contrasting in color to the hull (black/white, dark red/white, etc)
• Properly spaced. There must be a separation, greater than the width of the number “1” or the letter “I”, between the prefix (state abbreviation), the numbers, and the suffix.
• The state currency decal must be displayed within 6” of the registration number
• N umbers must be painted or permanently attached. With the exception of the state decal, no other letters or numbers may be displayed nearby.

Notification of Changes to a Numbered Vessel

The owner of a vessel must notify the agency which issued the certificate of number within 15 days if:

• The vessel is transferred, destroyed, abandoned, lost, stolen or recovered.
• The certificate of number is lost, destroyed or the owner's address changes.
• If the certificate of number becomes invalid for any reason, it must be surrendered in the manner prescribed to the issuing authority within 15 days.

Documented Boats

• Official Documentation MUST be carried onboard a documented vessel at all times.
• A Document serves as a certificate of nationality and an authorization for a trade.
• Documented vessels must comply with all state and federal laws.
• Registration fee and display of validation sticker is required in some states.
• Official number must be permanently affixed to an integral structure of the boat. This number is referred to as the “main beam” number.
• The main beam number must match the official number on the document.
• Name and hailing port of the boat must be displayed at least once anywhere on the hull (most boater display this information on the transom) - at least 4” in height, contrasting in color to the hull.
• Name and hailing port must match information on the official document.