Boat Registration Requirements - New York Registration & Titling
All power-driven vessels (whether or not the motor is the primary source of propulsion) that operate in New York state waters must be registered with the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and display validation decals. Boat registration is valid for three years, starting the month of registration.
Vessels exempt from registration in New York:
- Non-motorized vessels, such as canoes, kayaks, rowboats and sailboats without engines
- U.S. or foreign documented commercial vessels
- Vessels that are properly registered in another state or country and are using New York waters for up to 90 consecutive days
- Law enforcement vessels
- Competition racing boats
- Lifeboats
Once a vessel is registered the owner will receive a registration certificate that must be kept on board and readily available for inspection by a law enforcement officer whenever the vessel is in operation.
The Division of Motor Vehicles must be notified within 15 days if the boat is abandoned, destroyed, lost, or stolen, or within 10 days if the owner changes address. The certificate of registration or title must be signed over to the new owner once a vessel is sold. The original owner must notify the DMV. They should also remove the validation stickers before the new owner takes possession of the vessel.
Titling
The NYS Department of Motor Vehicles issues titles to all vessels that are at least 14 feet in length and that were manufactured in or after 1987.
How to Display the Registration Number and Decals?
You must display your boat’s registration number in the following manner:
-
Painted on or permanently attached to each side of the bow;
-
Using BLOCK letters at least three inches high and of one solid color contrasting sharply with the color of your boat so as to be clearly legible from at least 100 feet in daylight;
-
To read from left to right; letters and numbers must be separated by a space or hyphen, for example: NY 1234 AB or NY-1234-AB
-
No other numbers may be displayed.
Every vessel that requires registration, including personal watercraft, must display validation decals as proof of registration. You must display your decals as follows:
-
On both sides of the boat
-
Within three inches aft (towards the stern) and in line with the registration number
-
Only display current decals.
Documented Vessels
Larger recreational vessels may be documented with the US Coast Guard. For more information: contact the USCG Documentation Center at 1-800-799-8362. Documented vessels must be registered with the Division of Motor Vehicles and display validation stickers, but are not required to display the bow number.
Did you know, in New York you are required to have a boating license to operate a boat with a motor? Try our online boating course, and get your NYS boating license today!
