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

Requirements for vessel registration vary from state to state. In New Hampshire, you must have a Certificate of Registration and validation decals to operate a vessel on public waters. This includes motorboats of any size, and sailboats or sailboards 12 feet in length or longer. The only exceptions are:

• Sailboats and sailboards under 12 feet in length
• Other small, non-motorized vessels such as canoes and kayaks
• Vessels registered in other states using New Hampshire waters for 30 or fewer consecutive days
• Vessels owned or operated by the U.S. government

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 forward half of the vessel such that it is clearly readable
• Number must read from left to right on both sides of the vessel.
• Number must be in at least three-inch-high BLOCK letters.
• Number’s color must contrast with the hull background.
• Letters must be separated from the numbers by a hyphen or a space: NH-3717-ZW or NH 3717 ZW.
• Decals must be placed on both sides of the bow within six inches of and to the right of the number.

Sailboats that are at least 12 feet but less than 20 feet in length need to display the validation decals only (not the number) within two feet of the extreme forward part of the bow.

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 validation decals.

Registration Questions? Contact the New Hampshire Department of Safety, Division of Motor Vehicles, by calling 603-271-2333.

Other Facts About Registering and Titling Your Vessel

• The Certificate of Registration expires on December 31 of each year. Owners of vessels that have been registered previously will be sent a renewal notice.
• The owner of a numbered vessel must notify the Department of Safety, Division of Motor Vehicles, within 15 days if he or she changes address or if the vessel is lost, stolen and/or recovered, destroyed, abandoned, or sold.
• Vessels registered in another state may operate on New Hampshire waters for 30 consecutive days before New Hampshire registration is required.
• If you lose or destroy your Certificate of Registration or decals, you must apply 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 also must obtain a New Hampshire registration and carry the Certificate of Registration on board. However, these vessels are not required to display their registration number, but they must display the validation decals within two feet of the extreme forward part of the bow. (Read more about obtaining U.S. Coast Guard's Certificate of Documentation.)

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.
• Owners of vessels manufactured after October 1, 1972, or of homemade vessels that do not have a HIN should notify the Department of Safety, Division of Motor Vehicles.