Chapter 4: The Legal Requirements of Boating
Your Vessel’s Registration

Requirements for vessel registration vary from state to state. In Maryland, you must have a Certificate of Vessel Number (registration) and registration decals to operate a vessel on Maryland’s public waters legally. Exceptions to registration are:

• Vessels without any kind of mechanical propulsion (that is, vessels propelled only by sail or manually)
• Vessels properly registered in another state
• Vessels documented with the U.S. Coast Guard

Display of Number and Decals

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

• Number must be painted, applied as a decal, or otherwise affixed to the forward half (bow) of each side of the vessel, placed well above the waterline.
• Number must read from left to right on both sides of the vessel.
• Number must be in at least 3-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: MD 3717 ZW or MD-3717-ZW.
• No other numbers may be displayed on either side of the bow.
• Decals must be affixed on each side of the vessel within 3 inches of the vessel number and may be placed in front of, behind, above, or below the number.

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

Other Facts About Registering and Titling Your Vessel

• All vessels that require registration must be titled in Maryland also. A vessel will not be registered or have its registration renewed without a valid title. Payment of excise tax on a vessel must accompany an application for title.
• A Certificate of Vessel Number is valid for two years and expires on December 31 of the calendar year following the year the certificate is issued. Owners of vessels which have already been registered will be sent a renewal notice to their residence.
• The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) must be notified within 15 days of the sale, trade, or transfer of ownership of a registered vessel.
• You must notify the MDNR within 15 days if your registered vessel is abandoned, lost, stolen, or destroyed.
• If you lose or destroy your Certificate of Vessel Number or decals, you must apply for a duplicate and submit a processing fee.
• A vessel’s trailer must be registered with the Motor Vehicle Administration.
• Larger recreational vessels, owned by U.S. citizens, may (at the option of the owner) be documented by the U.S. Coast Guard. Call the USCG at 1-800-799-8362 for more information. Documented vessels must apply to the MDNR for “documented use” decals.

Registration Questions? Call the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, Licensing & Registration Central Service Center at 410-260-3220 or visit our website. Vessel trailers are registered through the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration. They can be reached at 1-800-950-1682.

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 permanently 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 custom or home-built, contact the Department of Natural Resources to have a hull identification number assigned to your vessel.
• It is illegal to destroy, remove, alter, cover, or deface a hull identification number.