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

Requirements for vessel registration vary from state to state. In North Dakota, you must have a North Dakota Certificate of Registration and validation stickers to operate a vessel legally on North Dakota’s public waters. The only exceptions to registration are:

• Vessels without any kind of motor (vessels with trolling motors must be registered)
• Vessels properly registered by another state using North Dakota waters for 90 days or less
• Vessels documented by the U.S. Coast Guard

The Certificate of Registration and validation stickers are obtained by submitting the proper application form and fee to:

North Dakota Game and Fish Department
Licensing and Registration Section
100 North Bismarck Expressway
Bismarck, ND 58501-5095

The Certificate of Registration (pocket-sized card) must be on board and available for inspection by an enforcement officer whenever the vessel is operated.

Certificate of Registration The Certificate of Registration (pocket-sized card) must be carried on board the vessel whenever the vessel is operated.

Validation Stickers

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

• Number must be painted, decaled, or otherwise affixed to each side of the bow on the forward half of the vessel, placed to be clearly visible.
• Number must read from left to right on both sides of the vessel.
• Number must be in bold, BLOCK letters at least 3 inches high (excluding border or trim).
• Number’s color must contrast with its background.
• Letters must be separated from the numbers by a space (equal in width to that of a letter or number) or a hyphen: ND 371 ZW or ND-371-ZW.
• No other numbers may be displayed on either side of the bow.
• Validation stickers must be affixed on each side of the vessel toward the rear of the vessel and within six inches of the registration 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 are also required to display the registration number and validation stickers.

Other Facts about Registering Your Vessel

• A Certificate of Registration is valid for three years and expires on December 31 of the third year. Owners of vessels that have been registered previously will be sent a renewal notice prior to the expiration date.
• The owner of a registered vessel must notify the North Dakota Game and Fish Department, Licensing and Registration Section, within 15 days if:
  • He or she changes address.
  • Ownership of the vessel changes.
  • The vessel is lost, stolen, or recovered.
  • The vessel is destroyed or abandoned.
• The Certificate of Registration is not transferable. If you purchase a boat that was registered by the previous owner, you must apply for a new registration in your name.
• If you lose or destroy your Certificate of Registration or validation stickers, you must apply to the North Dakota Game and Fish Department for a replacement and pay the appropriate fee.
• Larger recreational vessels owned by U.S. citizens may (at the option of the owner) be documented by the U.S. Coast Guard. (Read more about obtaining the U.S. Coast Guard’s Certificate of Documentation.) Call the USCG at 1-800-799-8362 for more information.

Transferring Ownership of a Boat

• If the boat has been registered previously, the owner:
  • Must supply a signed title or bill of sale to the buyer in order to transfer title and registration of the boat to the buyer’s name and …
  • Must return his/her Certificate of Registration to NDGF within 15 days of the sale.
• When the transfer of ownership is approved, the buyer’s Certificate of Registration and validation stickers will be issued by NDGF.

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.