Where To Find Boat Registration Number

Selling Or Buying A Boat Here Is A List Of What You Need For Each State

All States in Australia require most recreational boats to be registered. Each State has slightly different definitions and exemptions but by and large, if its got an engine or is over 5m in length, registration will probably be required. This involves paperwork and of course a fee.

Every registered boat should have a registration certificate and a registration label attached to the boat. Transfer of registration and the documents required varies from State to State.

Heres a rundown with links to the websites, most of which have the appropriate forms as downloadable documents.

• Registration Certificate signed by the registered controller
• Proof of acquisition, ie receipt or bill of sale, etc
• Boatcode or HIN certificate

Washington Boat Registration Numbers

Washington boat registration numbers should have a hyphen or space between the three segments of the number, for example: WA 1234 AA.

Numbers should be in an easy to read, block style. They should be attached to both sides of the bow on the forward half and be the only numbers in this location. Registration numbers need to be three inches high and contrast with the color of the background so they are distinctly visible. Furthermore, they should always be read from left to right.

Washington boating law states that except as provided in this chapter, a person may not own or operate any vessel, including a rented vessel, on the waters of this state unless the vessel has been registered and displays a registration number and a valid decal in accordance with this chapter.

Maine Boat Registration Numbers

Maine boat registration numbers should be affixed to both sides of the forward half of the vessel. These should be the only numbers on the forward half of the boat.

The boat registration number must be in three inch, block style lettering. The numbers should be easily read left to right. The registration number color must contrast with its background color.

Letters must be separated from the numbers by a space or hyphen, for example: ME 1234 AA. No other numbers may be displayed on either side of the bow.

Maine boating law states that If your vessel requires registration, it is illegal to operate it or allow others to operate your vessel unless it is registered and numbered as described.

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Q: I Purchased My Boat From A Car Dealer

A: Car dealers that are not registered boat dealers must first title the boat in the car dealer’s name before legally selling the boat. The car dealer must also pay a sales tax to the Department of Revenue before titling the boat. Once the car dealer has applied for and received the title from the state, the sale can be made.

Displaying The Registration Number And Registration Decals

The registration number and registration decals must be displayed as follows.

• Number must be painted, applied as a decal, or otherwise affixed to the forward half of each side of the vessel, placed for maximum visibility.
• No other numbers may be displayed on either side of the bow.
• Number must read from left to right on both sides of the vessel.
• Number must be in at least three-inch-high, bold, BLOCK letters.
• Number’s color must contrast with its background.
• Letters must be separated from the numbers by a space or hyphen: IA 3717 ZW or IA-3717-ZW.

For vessels with sails, the requirements may be different from those above.

• If a vessel is propelled by sail alone, the registration number may be placed in a position to provide maximum visibility, including placement on the mast.
• A sailboard is not required to display the registration number, but the decal must be placed on the bottom surface of the bow of the sailboard.

Personal watercraft also are required to display the certificate’s number and registration decals.

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Arizona Boat Registration Numbers

Arizona boat registration numbers must be on each side of the forward half of the vessel and must read from left to right.

The boat registration number must be in block letters at least three inches high and of a contrasting color of the boat itself. The boat registration number should be clearly visible from 100 feet away during daylight hours.

The letters AZ and the suffix shall be separated from the numerals by a hyphen or equivalent space, for example: AZ-1234-AA.

Arizona law states: On receipt of the application in approved form with the applicable fees, the department or its agent shall enter the application on the records of its office and issue to the applicant two current annual decals and a certificate of number stating the number issued to the watercraft and the name and address of the owner. The owner shall display the assigned number and the current annual decals in such manner as may be prescribed by rules of the commission. The number and decals shall be maintained in legible condition. The certificate of number or commission approved proof of valid certificate of number, except as provided in section 5-371, shall be available at all times for inspection by a peace officer whenever the watercraft is in operation. No number issued by another state or the United States coast guard, unless granted exemption or exception pursuant to this chapter, shall be displayed on the watercraft.

West Virginia Boat Registration Numbers

West Virginia boat registration numbers should be affixed to both sides of the forward half of the vessel. These should be the only numbers on the forward half of the boat.

The boat registration numbers must be in three inch, block style lettering. The numbers should be easily read left to right. The registration number color must contrast with its background color.

Letters must be separated from the numbers by a space or hyphen, for example: WV 1234 AA. No other numbers may be displayed on either side of the bow.

West Virginia boating law states that every motorboat, as defined in this section, operating upon public waters within the territorial limits of this state shall be numbered as provided.

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Where To Place The Official Number

The placement of the Canadian official number is important to remember. The number will appear on your Certificate of Registry, and it must be displayed on a clearly visible portion of the interior structure of the hull. The abbreviation O.N. must appear before the number is displayed to indicate it is the official number. Use block Arabic numerals. The numerals must be at least four centimeters high, so they are easily read.

Getting Your Official Number

To help you with the process of getting your Canadian official number on your vessel, we at National Vessel Registry Center Corp. have made the forms you need available online here on our website. You can fill out the forms, with your payment information, and we take everything from there, making sure information is correct and passing it on to Transport Canada for processing. Everything will be simple for you so that you can get the official registration you need. For any service related to the Registry/Licensing of vessels you can call us at 419-9569 . For anything else you can send us a message using our online contact form.

How Do You Make Sure A Boat Is Not Stolen

Its hard to believe, but stolen boats are pretty common.

According to a National Insurance Crime Bureau report, there were 4,240 stolen vessels reported to the FBI in 2019.

Though unlikely, it is possible that you come across a stolen boat and never know it.

So how can you make sure a boat isnt stolen before purchasing it?

Here are some signs to look out for:

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Louisiana Boat Registration Numbers

The number allotted should attached to each side of the forward half of the boat’s hull. The Louisiana registration number must be the only number on the forward half of the boat.

The letters and numbers can be any sort of plain, block font and three inches high. The boat registration number color must contrast with the hull color and clearly placed.

Between the prefix, the numerals, and the suffix, it is required to have a hyphen or space, for example: LA-1234-AA.

Louisiana boating law states that the owner of each motorboat or sailboat requiring numbering by this state shall file an application for number with the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries on forms approved by it. The owner shall paint on or attach to each side of the bow of the motorboat or sailboat the certificate of number in such manner as may be prescribed by rules and regulations of the department in order that it may be clearly visible. The number on the motorboat or sailboat shall be maintained in legible condition.

What Do I Use The Hin For On A Boat

HINs are a way to identify a boat, like a serial number.

HINs will be on any manufacturing certificates, titles, registrations, or federal documents associated with the boat. You can use the number to check and see if the boat is stolen or if any other problems have been reported.

To find information about a particular HIN you can use an online service or check with local authorities.

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Do All Florida Vessels Require Titling And Registration

No, there are some exemptions. The main exception is for nonmotorized powered vessels less than 16 feet in length. If a vessel is exempt from titling and registration, then you won’t be able search for that vessel’s record, even if it has a HIN. Visit the FLHSMV website for a complete list of exemptions.

Nsw Boat Registration Numbers

Mechanically propelled vessels

Must show boat registration numbers on each side of the vessel at least 150mm high and clearly visible while underway. They should be located on the forward section of the vessels hull on each side of the vessel.

Sailing vessels

Must show boat registration numbers on the transom or on both sides of the hull adjacent to the stern. In the case of multi hull craft, the numbers must be on the outer faces of the external hulls adjacent to the stern. The figures must be at least 100mm high and be visible when the vessel is underway.

Note: For registration purposes, a sailing vessel means a vessel which has sails as its primary means of propulsion.

PWC

Must have registration numbers on each side of the craft in figures of at least 100mm high, where they are clearly visible when the vessel is underway.

Commercial vessels

Must display a permit number or commercial registration number. The number must be displayed on each side of the hull or on the transom in figures at least 150mm high.

Boat Registration numbers

Must be clearly visible at a distance of 60m.The Boat numbers should be of contrasting colours to the boats hull. Dark numbers are standard on a light coloured hull, but on a dark coloured hull, you should use white or pale numbers.

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Florida Boat Registration Numbers

Florida boat registration numbers that are issued to a vessel are permanent and remains with the vessel as long as it is operated or stored in Florida, even if ownership changes.

The boat registration number must be displayed on each side of the forward half of the vessel. The number must be in a plain block font and no less than three inches in height. It is necessary that it is able to be read from left to right and be in contrast with the color of the background.

There must be spaces or hyphens between the prefix, the number, and the suffix, for example: FL-1234-AA.

Florida law states The numbers shall be placed on each side of the forward half of the vessel in such position as to provide clear legibility for identification, except, if the vessel is an airboat, the numbers may be placed on each side of the rudder.

Hawaii Boat Registration Numbers

Hawaii boat registration numbers must be painted on or permanently attached to each side of the forward half of the vessel and must be read from left to right. Registration number should be the only numbers on the forward half of the vessel.

The registration number must be at least three inches in height and of block character font. Also, they must be of a contrasting color of the background. The boat registration numbers must stay clearly visible and legible.

The numerals appearing between the two sets of letters must be separated by hyphens or spaces, for example: HA-1234-AA.

Hawaii boating law states that boat registration numbers must be painted on or permanently attached to each side of the forward half of the vessel and must be read from left to right. The number shall not be placed on the obscure underside of a flared bow where the angle prevents it from being seen from another vessel or from the shore.

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Q: How Long Are The Registration And Title Good For And How Much Do They Cost

A: The title certificate is good for the life of the boat, or until the boat is sold or otherwise transferred, at which time the new owner must obtain a another title. The title fee is $27.50. This is a one-time charge.

The boat registration certificate is valid for two years from the date of issuance. Cost is based on the length of the vessel.

Massachusetts Boat Registration Numbers

Massachusetts boat registration numbers that are assigned should be attached to each side of the forward half of the boat. Boategistration numbers should be the only number on the forward half of the vessel.

It should read from left to right, be in a block letter style font three inches high. Furthermore it should contrast with the color of the boat’s hull.

The boat registration number consists of the letters MS followed by no more than four numbers and two letters. A space or hyphen must separate the letters and the numbers, for example: MS-1234-AA.

Massachusetts boating law states that subject to the exceptions listed in section two, the owner of any motorboat principally used in the commonwealth shall file an application for number with the director on a form approved by him. The application shall be signed by the owner of the motorboat, and shall be forwarded to the director together with a fee, as determined annually by the commissioner of administration under the provision of section three B of chapter seven, for an original certificate of number or renewal thereof, or for the substitution of a certificate of number of a motorboat for a motorboat previously numbered.

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Registration Labels And Identification Marks

Boat owners must display their vessel’s registration number clearly. See how to display it correctly below.

The owner of a registered recreational vessel, other than personal watercraft, must ensure that the identification mark is painted or displayed:

• on each side of the hull of the vessel
• forward of the beam
• so that the highest part of each digit commences at a point no more than 75 mm below the gunwale
• in characters that are:
• no less than 150 mm high
• in proportionate breadth
• coloured in contrast to the surface on which they are displayed.

See our personal watercraft page for details of PWC registration label requirements.

Michigan Boat Registration Numbers

Michigan boat registration numbers must be attached on each side of the forward half of the vessel as high above the water line as possible it must be the only number on the forward half of the bow.

The boat registration number must contrast with the color of the background and be clearly visible. It should be plain, block font style at least 3 inches high must also be able to be read from left to right.

There must be a hyphen or space placed between the numbers and letters, for example: MC 123 AA.

Michigan boating law states upon receipt of a certificate of number for a vessel, the owner of that vessel shall paint on or attach in a permanent manner to each side of the forward half of the vessel the number identified in the certificate of number, in the manner prescribed by rules promulgated by the department. The secretary of state shall assign to the owner of vessels for rent or lease a block of numbers sufficient to number consecutively all of that owner’s rental or lease vessels. The owner shall maintain the numbers in a legible condition.

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Q: What Should I Do If I Am Buying Or Selling A Boat

A: In order to execute a boat transaction, the following items are necessary:

• Bill of sale
• 12-character serial number pencil tracing
• Proof of payment of Massachusetts’ sales tax
• A completed application
• Appropriate fees
• Title from seller if applicable

Massachusetts sales tax is now payable online. For more information visit the Department of Revenue website or call 392-6089.

In addition to the previous requirements, if the boat is 14 feet or greater in length and uses a motor either temporarily or permanently, or if it is designed for use with a motor, the certificate of title must be signed over from the seller to the buyer. The buyer then presents this information and documentation to the Massachusetts Environmental Police Registration Bureau to obtain a new registration card and certificate of title.

How Do You Transfer A Boat Title

Any time a boat is bought or sold, the title must be transferred to the new owner.

Remember, a registration shows that the vessel is registered to be operated on public waterways.

A title, however, proves that you are the legal owner of that boat.

The process of transferring a title is fairly easy.

For a full explanation, check out How To Get & Transfer Boat Titles.

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