---
title: Maryland Boat Registration requirements - Numbers & Stickers
description: To operate any vessel with a motor on Maryland waters it must be titled and registered with the Maryland DNR
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## Registration & Titling

![Maryland registration certificate for a boat](https://21118949.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/21118949/hubfs/courses/usa2022/agencies/registration-certificate-for-a-boat.png?width=500&height=500&name=registration-certificate-for-a-boat.png)

### Do I need to register my boat in Maryland?

To operate any vessel with a motor (whether or not the motor is the primary source of propulsion) on Maryland waters it must be titled and registered with the Maryland Department of Natural Resources and **display valid registration decals**. **Boat registrations are valid for two years.**

### Vessels exempt from registration:

- **Human-powered vessels such as canoes, kayaks and rowboats**
- **Vessels that are properly registered in another state and are using Maryland waters for a maximum of 90 days**
- US Coast Guard-documented vessels

Registration applications must be made to the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. **Once a vessel is registered the owner will receive a registration card that must be kept on board and readily available for inspection** by a law enforcement officer whenever the vessel is in operation.

**The ****Maryland Department of Natural Resources**** must be notified within 15 days if the boat is sold, **destroyed, or stolen, or if the owner changes address. 

Note that vessels principally used in Maryland are subject to vessel excise tax.

### Titling

All vessels that require registration must be titled in Maryland.

## How to Display Registration Number and Decals in Maryland

![How to Display Registration Number and Decals in Maryland](https://21118949.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/21118949/hubfs/courses/usa2022/agencies/maryland-boat-registration.png?width=1100&height=619&name=maryland-boat-registration.png)

You must display your boat number in the following manner: 

- **Painted on or otherwise 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;
- To read from left to right; letters and numbers must be separated by a hyphen or space for example, MD-1234-AA or MD 1234 AA
- No other numbers may be displayed

Every vessel that requires registration must display registration decals, including personal watercraft, as proof of registration. You must display your decals as follows:

- On both sides of the boat
- **Within three inches of the registration number**
- Only display current decals.

### Documented Vessels

Larger recreational vessels may be documented with the US Coast Guard. **USGC-documented vessels principally used in Maryland are exempt from the vessel numbering requirements but must display documented use decals and are subject to Maryland vessel excise tax.** For more information: contact the USCG Documentation Center at 1-800-799-8362.

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