REGISTRATION, NUMBERING, AND DOCUMENTATION

Tennessee law requires that all mechanically powered vessels (including documented vessels and all sailboats) which are principally used in Tennessee must be registered. Mechanical propulsion includes electric trolling motors but does not include boats powered only by oars or paddles. Boats which require registration must be properly registered before placing them upon any public water of Tennessee. Boaters from other states who are changing their principal state of operation to Tennessee, may utilize a current registration from another state for up to 60 days before changing their registration to Tennessee. Sailboats used in Tennessee by persons from states that do not require registration of sailboats, are exempt from registration unless Tennessee is the state of principal use. Sailboards (windsurfers) and other beach toys are not considered vessels and do not have to be registered.

HOW TO REGISTER

Persons who wish to register a boat must complete a registration form, available through a county court clerk’s office or from the dealer who sold you the boat at the time of the sale.

Initial Registration: the Tennessee Department of Revenue requires that boats which have never been registered before must show certification that their sales tax was paid when purchased. The owner needs to have the appropriate county court clerk’s office or boat dealer stamp the application verifying that the tax was paid. The registration form is then mailed to or taken to the address shown on the form for processing.

Registered boats transferred from on individual to another: Follow the same process as described for previously unregistered boats above. If a dealer is not involved, the county court clerk’s office will require a bill of sale from the individuals involved.

Notification of changes: When a vessel numbered by Tennessee is lost, stolen and/or recovered, destroyed, abandoned or transferred to another person, the Certificate of Number issued for the vessel must be surrendered, together with written notification of its change in status, to the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency within 15 days from the event. If the change in status is transfer of ownership, the name and address of the new owner must be included in the notification. Notification of changes should be addressed to:
Boat Registration
TWRA
P.O. Box 41729
Nashville, TN 37204

Renewing a registration that does not involve a change of ownership: Request in writing to renew your boat registration. Include your boat number and send to: Boat Registration TWRA P.O. Box 41729 Nashville, TN 37204 You may also renew instantly by going to any business which sells TWRA hunting and fishing licenses. You must know the TN number of the boat you wish to renew and the last name of the person to whom the boat is registered. You will receive a temporary registration that will allow you to operate your boat until your new decals and registration card arrive by mail in about two weeks.

Registration by Dealers or Manufacturers: Dealers or manufacturers may apply for registration which can be transferred from one vessel to another. A copy of the business license and sales tax number must accompany the application for a dealer or manufacturer number. Such vessels are to be used for demonstration purposes only and more than one vessel may not be operated simultaneously with the same number. In addition, vessels being demonstrated must have the Certificate of Number on board and the registration number must be correctly displayed. However, such vessels may display the number by having it attached to removable signs which can be temporarily but firmly attached to the vessel.

Fees For Vessel Registration

The fee to be collected for issuance of a vessel certificate of number or registration shall be as follows:

Display Of Registration Number

The identification number awarded to any vessel under the Tennessee numbering system shall be painted on, or attached to, each side of the bow (i.e., the forward half) of the vessel; read from left to right; and in such position to provide clear legibility for identification.

• In block characters of good proportion not less than three (3) inches in height and of a color which will contrast with the color of the background (i.e., dark numbers on a light background, or light numbers on a dark background) and so maintained as to be clearly visible and legible.
• A validation decal must be affixed to the vessel on each side of the bow (the forward half on the vessel) preceding (before) the TN identification number.

Issuance Of Certificate Of Number

• All Certificates of number are issued by the Wildlife Resources Agency and are valid for a period of three (3) years from date of issuance unless sooner cancelled.

15-Day Rule

• When an owner of a vessel numbered by Tennessee changes his address from that shown on the Certificate of Number, he shall notify in writing the Wildlife Resources Agency, Nashville, Tennessee, of his new address within fifteen (15) days from such change.
• When a vessel numbered by Tennessee is lost, stolen and/or recovered, destroyed, abandoned or transferred to another person, the Certificate of Number issued for the vessel shall be surrendered together with written notification of the change in status of the vessel, within fifteen (15) days from such event. If the change in status is transfer of ownership, the name and address of the new owner shall be included in such notification.
• The owner of a vessel must remove the number when the vessel is documented by the bureau of customs of the United States, the Certificate of Number becomes invalid, or the vessel is not longer principally used in Tennessee.
• Application for a duplicate certificate of Number shall be made within fifteen (15) days if the Certificate of Number is lost or destroyed.

60-Day Rule

• The Certificate of number is invalid after sixty (60) days if a vessel no longer remains in Tennessee, or if the person whose name appears on the certificate loses his interest by legal process.

Documented Boats

• Official Documentation MUST be carried onboard a documented recreational 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.