Registering Your Boat In Ohio
Registrations are required for every recreational boat in Ohio, including powerboats, sailboats, canoes, kayaks, pedal boats, and inflatable boats. NOTE: Kiteboards, paddleboards, and belly boats do NOT have to be registered as boats in Ohio.
Boat registrations are good for three years and expire on March 1. There is no late fee for renewing after March 1.
What you need to get a boat registered depends on what type of boat it is. Generally you need proof of ownership, some detailed information on the boat, some detailed information on you , a drivers license or ID, and the registration fee.
Renewing a RegistrationBoat registrations come up for renewal every three years. We mail you a notice a few months before your registration expires. This is why it is important that you keep your mailing address updated with us.
- You can renew an existing boat registration at any Boat Registration Agent if you bring your renewal notice with an ID and payment. Call ahead to make sure they are open and have decals available.
- You can renew your existing boat registration online as long as you have a PIN and all information on the boat AND owner is up-to-date. NOTE: Online renewal begins January and ends October 31.
If you did not receive your renewal notice, or if you need to change your address with us, please contact the Division of Parks and Watercraft for assistance.
New Boats New boats can be registered in person at a Boat Registration Agent or at a Watercraft Office.
Requirements For Boater Registration In Illinois
The Illinois DNR boat registration process must be completed by the owners of virtually every type of boat in the state. However, boater registration does not have to be carried out by the owners of lifeboats, sailboards, and boats that will be in the state for less than 60 consecutive days. However, these boats must still be registered in their home state.
When registering a boat, you will need to complete the following steps:
- Complete Form IL 422-0321 . You can obtain this form from a DNR or boat retailer near you.
- Locate the title and registration of the previous owner, as well as the Certificate of Origin from the manufacturer .
- Contact the Illinois Department of Revenue to determine and pay your sales tax .
- Write a check for your registration fee, and make it payable to the Department of Natural Resources.
- Send all of the documents mentioned above, along with your check to the DNR in Springfield.
While waiting for your registration decal from the state, your application copy will serve as a temporary form of registration. You will receive your new certificate of title, registration and decals in the mail a few days later. New boat registration must be done within 15 days of your initial purchase.
Boaters in Illinois are required to renew their registration every three years.
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. Both original and renewal dealer/manufacture registrations must come to the central office in Nashville and cant be renewed online.
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How Do I Display The Registration Number And Decal
The number assigned is in three parts beginning with “OH” followed by four numbers and two letters.
The number shall:
- be placed on each side of the forward half of the watercraft
- read from left to right
- be in block characters of good proportion
- be a minimum of 3 inches in height
- be one color and contrast with the background or boat color
- be separated by a hyphen or equivalent space between the prefix and suffix
- be maintained to be clearly visible and legible.
No other numerals or letters may be shown on the bow.
Two registration decals are issued with each traditional boat registration. On numbered boats the owner shall securely affix the decals on each side of the bow six inches toward the stern from the number.
The decals must be clearly visible in normal conditions and affixed prior to operation of the watercraft.
Documented boats must display one decal on the port side and one on the starboard side.
Boats 15m Or More In Length
If your boat is 15m or more in length applications for new registration, transfer of ownership or change of boat details must be endorsed by Maritime Safety Queensland before the registration can be processed by Transport and Main Roads. Email your completed Queensland regulated ship registration application to for endorsement, or take the application to a transport and motoring customer service centre or, if you live in a rural area, a QGAP office, Magistrates Court or local police station that provides registration services.
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Certificate Of Title Or Manufacturers Statement Of Origin
Boats previously registered in Wisconsin
Boats 16 feet in length or greater previously registered in Wisconsin are titled. The seller must provide you with the original Certificate of Title for you to transfer the boat into your name. The Certificate of Title must be signed if the Certificate of Title lists more than one owner and the names are separated by the word and, all owners listed on the title must sign. If the word or separates the names, any of the owners listed on the title may sign.
Boats previously registered in another state
To register and title the boat, the DNR will need the original signed Certificate of Title if the boat is coming from a state that titles boats or a registration card if the boat is coming from a state that does not title boats.
Boats never registered before
Applications to register new boats, or boats that have never been registered in any state, require the original Manufacturer’s Statement of Origin to be submitted in lieu of Certificate of Title.
If this is a home-built boat, copies of the materials / supplies receipt should be submitted.
Where To Register Your Boat
You have two options for submitting your registration application.
- Option 1: Online
-
Sign into your GoWILD customer account at GoWild.WI.Gov and fill out your boat registration application online. Using the online site to transfer a titled boat will require you to mail in the boat Certificate of Title and any supporting documents to complete the transfer of ownership. Once your online boat registration application is submitted, you will have the option to print a 60-day temporary operating receipt which can be used to immediately operate your boat until registration materials arrive in the mail.
Note: For boats 16 feet or longer, you must mail in the boat title, MSO and other supporting documents to complete the transaction. Until then, your boat transaction will be in pending status.
- Option 2: Mail
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All fields on the Boat Registration and Titling Application or on the Fleet Boat Registration and Titling Application are required unless stated otherwise. See below for additional application and forms. Incomplete applications will result in processing delays. If you mail in your complete registration application, you must wait until your new certificate of registration and decals arrive in the mail before you can legally operate your boat. The only exception is if the application was completed and submitted on your behalf by a DNR authorized boat dealer.
Mail complete application to:PO BOX 78701Milwaukee, WI 53278-0701
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Vessels Exempt From Registration
Recreational vessels exempt from registration:
- Vessels that do not have an engine
- Recreational tenders
Recreational vessels from another State or a Territory:
- Vessels which are: temporarily being operated on State waters, registered in another State or a Territory, and displaying an identifying plate/mark/number issued by the corresponding authority
- Vessels which are: temporarily being operated on State waters, and are exempt from registration in another State or Territory in which the owner of the vessel ordinarily resides
Industry and commercial:
- Recreational vessels with an engine capable of being used for propulsion, under the control of a manufacturer or dealer who has a special identification plate issued under Regulation 25. These plates are for industry members who drive their clients boats for the purposes of sea trials, testing or delivery.
- Commercial vessels
Boat Registration: How To Register Your Boat
- Specific laws for registering your boat vary from state to state.
- In most cases any boat with mechanical propulsion will need to be registered.
- The registration usually must take place in the state where the boat is primarily used, so if you live in one state but do your boating in another, check the local laws carefully to see where the boat needs to be registered.
- To register your boat youll need the same type of basic information as needed for registering a car: a bill or sale or proof of purchase are almost always necessary.
- When registering your boat, youll use the HIN the same way youd use a cars VIN number to identify the vehicle.
- If you buy a boat new, the dealership can almost certainly take care of the initial registration for you.
So, youve bought a boat. Congratulations! And if youve found your way to this page, you probably already know that before you can use that boat, there are a few legal hoops to jump through. Perhaps youve already acquired your boating license, chosen a boat, lined up financing and struck a deal with the boat seller. The next step will be registering the boat.
The easiest way to register a boat is, of course, to buy one new at a dealership and let them handle all the paperwork. This is not always an option, though, so lets go through the process step-by-step. Since each state has its own specific regulations, remember that this will vary a bit.
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Licensed Marine Dealer Distributor Or Manufacturer
How do I become a licensed marine dealer?
To become a licensed dealer, you must be in the business of buying, selling, selling on consignment, displaying for sale, and exchanging vessels or outboard motors at an established or permanent place of business in the state of Texas. Each location must have a sign conspicuously displayed showing the name of the dealership so that it may be clearly seen by the public and have sufficient space to maintain an office, service area, and display of products.
The dealer application form PWD 310 must be completed in full and submitted with the following:
- Copy of the sales tax permit
- Verification of assumed names
- List of dealer agreements and
- Submit application, supporting documents, and required $500.00 fee to Texas Parks & Wildlife Headquarters in Austin.
PWD 310 Supplemental Information Rules and statutes pertaining to Dealer, Distributor and/or Manufacturer Licenses.
How do I become a licensed marine distributor or manufacturer?
To become a licensed distributor or manufacturer, you must be engaged in the business of manufacturing new and unused vessels and outboard motors for the purpose of sale or trade or offer for sale, sell, or process for distribution new vessels or outboard motors to dealers in the state of Texas.
The distributor or manufacturer application form PWD 310 must be completed in full and submitted with the following:
How do I renew my marine license?
Dealers must also submit the following:
To a new owner:
Selling/buying A Used Boat: What Documents Do I Give The Buyer/receive From The Seller
The documents that will later be used to transfer or register a boat in Georgia from a private sale may vary, depending if the boat is already registered in Georgia, if the boat has a paper title issued, if the boat has been reported sold, and if the seller is the owner of record in the Georgia registration system. There are many possible scenarios, but these below are the most common.
A Bill of Sale for a boat must have adequate information to positively link the BOS to the boat.
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Ms Boat Registration Procedures
After buying a boat, you have 10 days from the purchase date to register the vessel in your name. Start the process by gathering the following items:
- A completed Mississippi Motor Boat Registration Application .
- Detach the stub at the bottom of the application to use as temporary registration while you wait for your official registration and decals to arrive.
Then, submit the items above in person OR by mail to:
- Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks
- Boating Division
- 1505 Eastover Drive
- Jackson, MS 39211
Boat registrations with the MDWFP are valid for 3 years from the last day of the month in which you registered your boat.
Renewing Your Illinois Boat Registration
You may register a boat online if need to renew before the end of your three-year period. To register your boat online, you simply need to visit the Illinois Department of Natural Resources renewal site. To complete this process, you will need to enter the numbers from your boat registration and Hull ID.
Once you complete the online renewal application and pay any required fees, you will have renewed your registration. You may pay your online renewal fee using an E-Check, Visa, MasterCard, American Express, or Discover card.
To complete the DNR boat registration process by phone, you may contact the Department of Natural Resources at your own convenience. You should have your vessel registration documents on hand if you wish to complete the process quickly, and you will be allowed to pay your renewal fee using an E-Check or major credit card. The phone process requires boaters to pay an additional convenience fee.
Note: At the end of your phone transaction, make sure to record the confirmation number you receive.
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Check Boat History Before You Buy
In the state of South Carolina, the law requires all motorized boats and watercraft, except exempted vessels, sailboats, and all outboard motors five horsepower and greater to be titled. By law we must have your completed application and other required documents, which vary by purchase or selling situation, to title and register your boat and/or motor.
If you are selling a boat and/or motor in South Carolina:
You must be the titled owner. If you are not listed as the owner of the title, you must complete the application process with SCDNR prior to the sale.
If you have purchased a boat or motor that has ever been titled and/or registered in South Carolina:
If you have purchased a boat or motor out-of-state or from a SCDNR permitted marine dealer:
Property taxes will be billed by your county after being titled and/or registered with SCDNR.
Once purchased, your boat and/or motor may be used 60 days from the date of purchase, even with expired or out-of-state decals.
If you have questions about boat titling and registration, please visit our Frequently Asked Questions. If you have any questions about your property taxes, please contact your county tax office.
Most Common Titling and Registration Situations:
Boat Registration Fees In Mississippi
The MS Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks charges the following fees for boat registrations:
- Original/renewal boat registration :
- Less than 16 ft in length: $10.20.
- Between 16 ft up to 26 ft in length: $25.20.
- Between 26 ft up to 40 ft in length: $47.70.
- 40 ft in length and over: $47.70.
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Check Your Registration Status
Check your boat’s registration online or via the QLD Rego Check mobile app which can be downloaded using iTunes or . This service can be used to check if the boat you will be operating is registered.
You can also check your registration by calling the Department of Transport and Main Roads on 13 23 80, or checking the due date by looking on your registration documentation for when you paid last time.
Hull Number Correction Information
The U.S. Coast Guard has mandated that all registered vessels in the State of Tennessee provide a properly formatted Hull Identification Number to TWRA.
The Hull Identification Number is a 12 character serial number that uniquely identifies a boat and is formatted according to US Coast Guard standards. The HIN is similar to the VIN on a car. Vessels manufactured or imported before 1973 are EXEMPT because they often do not have a HIN. All boats manufactured or imported after 1972, must have a HIN, and this HIN must be identified during the boat registration process. HIN numbers are typically located:
- On sport and fishing boats, they can be found on the back right outside corner.
- On pontoons, they can be found on the right side of the frame above the pontoon, but below the deck.
- On personal watercraft, they can be found under the seat as well as on the lip of the footrest.
If you are unable to locate the HIN number in any of these locations, photos of these areas of the vessel will be required.
Customers with an invalid HIN may renew their boats but within the next three years, our system may decline these renewals and any new owner applications in order to comply with the Agencys Coast Guard deadline.
It is imperative to correct these numbers in the system before that deadline.
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