Chapter 4: The Legal Requirements of Boating
Your Vessel’s Certificate of Number and Decals

Requirements for vessel registration vary from state to state. In Delaware, you must have a Delaware Certificate of Number (registration) and validation decals to operate your vessel legally on public waters. The only exceptions are:

Non-motorized vessels
Vessels registered in other states using Delaware waters for 60 days or less
Vessels documented with the U.S. Coast Guard

The Certificate of Number and validation decals are obtained by submitting the proper application and fee to any authorized licensing agent

Certificate of Number

The Certificate of Number (registration card) must be on board and available for inspection by an enforcement officer whenever the vessel is being operated.

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

Number must be painted, applied as a decal, or otherwise affixed to both sides of forward half of the vessel, as high above the waterline as possible.
Number must read from left to right on both sides of the vessel.
Number must be in at least three-inch-high, vertical BLOCK letters.
Number’s color must contrast sharply with its background.
Letters must be separated from the numbers by a space or hyphen. For example:
DL 3717 ZW or DL-3717-ZW.
No other numbers may be displayed on either side of the bow.
Decal must be affixed on both sides of the vessel within six inches of, and in line with, the registration number. The decal may precede or follow the number. Expired decals must be removed.

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 above.

PWCs are also required to display the certificate’s number and validation decals.

Other Facts About Registering Your Vessel

The Certificate of Number is valid for one or three years, at the option of the owner.
The owner of a registered vessel must notify the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC), Division of Fish and Wildlife Enforcement within 15 days if:
- You change your address
- The vessel is lost, stolen, destroyed, abandoned, or sold
Owners of vessels registered in another state have 60 days to transfer the registration to Delaware when Delaware becomes the state of principal use.
If you lose or destroy your Certificate of Number or decal, you must apply to the DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife or an authorized licensing agent for a duplicate and submit a processing fee.
Larger recreational vessels owned by U.S. citizens may (at the option of the owner) be documented by the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG). Call the USCG at 1-800-799-8362 for more information. (Read more about obtaining the U.S. Coast Guard’s Certificate of Documentation.)

Locations of Delaware Boat Registration and Ramp Certificate Outlets:

To view a printable pdf of Delaware boat registration authorized sales outlets, download the Authorized Sales Outlets - Delaware Boat Registration document. (Requires Adobe Acrobat Reader)
All motorboats launched from tidal access areas administrered by the Division of Fish and Wildlife must be registered in Delaware or have a valid ramp certificate. To view a printable pdf of Delaware ramp certificates authorized sales outlets, download the Authorized Sales Outlets - Ramp Certificates document. (Requires Adobe Acrobat Reader)

Hull Identification Number

The Hull Identification Number (HIN) is a unique, 12-digit number assigned by the manufacturer to vessels built after 1972.
Hull Identification Numbers:
- Distinguish one vessel from another—the same as serial numbers distinguish one car from another
- Are engraved in the fiberglass or on a metal plate attached to the transom
You should write down your HIN and put it in a place separate from your vessel in case warranty problems arise or your vessel is stolen.
If your vessel is homemade, apply for a hull identification number with the DNREC.
It is against the law to destroy, alter, cover, deface, or mutilate a HIN.