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 Michigan, you must have a Certificate of Number (registration) and validation decals to operate your vessel legally on public waters. The only exceptions are:

• Privately owned, non-motorized canoes, kayaks, or rowboats 16 feet or less in length
• Vessels registered in another state or country using Michigan waters for 60 days or less

All watercraft with a motor must be registered including electric and inflatable vessels.

Display of Number and Decals

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 the bow as high above the water line as practical.
• Number must read from left to right on both sides of the bow.
• Number must be in at least three-inch-high BLOCK letters.
• Number’s color must contrast with the color of the background and be distinctly visible and legible.
• Letters must be separated from the numbers by a space or hyphen: MC 3717 ZW or MC-3717-ZW.
• No other numbers may be displayed on either side of the bow.
• Decals must be affixed on each side of the vessel and placed three inches after the last character of the registration number.

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

Other Facts About Titling and Registering Your Vessel

• All vessels that are 20 feet long or longer or have a permanently affixed engine must be titled also.
• A Certificate of Number is valid for three years. The Certificate of Number may be renewed over the Internet at www.michigan.gov/sos.
• As the owner of a vessel, you must notify the Secretary of State and surrender your Certificate of Number within 15 days if:
  • Your vessel is abandoned or destroyed or …
  • Your vessel is sold or ownership is otherwise transferred or …
  • You change your address.
• If you lose or destroy your Certificate of Number or decal, you must apply to the Secretary of State 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. Documented vessels are required to be registered also.

Registration Questions?

Call the Michigan Secretary of State at 517-322-1460, or call or visit one of the branch offices. You also can obtain information about titling and registering a vessel online at www.michigan.gov/sos.

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.