It's the Law: Before Going Out
All operators are required to obey laws that
regulate your vessel's registration, titling, and operation.
Registering Your Vessel
You must have a Rhode Island Certificate of Number (registration card) and validation decals to operate your vessel legally on Rhode Island's public waters. The only exceptions are:
- A vessel properly registered in another state using Rhode Island waters for 90 days or less or vessels from another country temporarily using Rhode Island waters
- Ship's lifeboats or vessels used only for racing
- A rowboat less than 12 feet long, or a canoe or kayak
The Certificate of Number and validation decals are obtained by submitting by mail or in person the proper application form and fee.
The certificate (pocket-sized card) must be on board and available for inspection by an enforcement officer whenever the vessel is operated.
The registration number (sequence of letters and numbers) and decals must be displayed as follows.
- Number must be painted, applied as a decal, or otherwise affixed to the forward half of each side of the vessel as high above the waterline as possible.
- Number must read from left to right on both sides of the bow.
- Number must be in at least three-high-high, bold, BLOCK letters.
- Number's color must contrast sharply with its background.
- Letters must be separated from the numbers by a space or hyphen: RI 3717 ZW or RI-3717-ZW.
- No other numbers may be displayed on the forward half of the vessel.
- Decals must be affixed to the right of, and in line with, the registration number on each side of the vessel.
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.
Other Facts About Titling and Registration
- All vessels must be titled, except ship's lifeboats,
non-motorized inflatable vessels, surfboards, rowboats, documented vessels, and vessels less than 14 feet long.
- A vessel's registration is valid for two years and expires on the last day of February.
- Outboard engines also must be registered. However, for outboard engines, it is a one-time registration—the
registration does not expire.
- If ownership of a vessel changes, a new registration
application must be filed. The registration number assigned to the vessel will remain the same.
- Vessels owned by Rhode Island residents that are not registered properly are subject to local property taxes levied by local cities and towns.
- 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 used primarily in Rhode Island must be registered with the state also. The documentation number will be used as the registration number. The vessel must display the validation decals issued by the state on each side of the vessel where best visible.
- If you change your address or transfer your interest in the vessel, or if the vessel is abandoned, destroyed, or stolen, you must notify the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management within 15 days.
- If you lose or destroy your Certificate of Number or title, you must complete a “duplicate” form and submit a processing fee within 30 days.
- To register a new or used vessel for the first time, you must submit all of the following:
- Dealer’s Bill of Sale (for a new vessel) or notarized bill of sale or notarized gift statement (for a used vessel)
- Manufacturer’s Certificate of Origin (for a new vessel) or title notarized by seller (for a used vessel)
- Properly filled out Boat Registration Application and, if applicable, Outboard Motor Registration Application
- Properly filled out Application for Initial Vessel Certificate of Title
- All required fees and sales tax (if applicable)
Registration and Titling Fees
| If the transaction is a ... |
Then your fee is ... |
| New title for a vessel without lien |
$25.00 |
| New title for a vessel with lien |
$40.00 |
| 2 Year registration of a vessel by length
(round to next highest feet in length) |
| 1 -15 ft. |
$30.00 |
| 16 - 20 ft. |
$40.00 |
| 21 - 25 ft. |
$60.00 |
| 26 - 30 ft. |
$100.00 |
| 31 - 35 ft. * |
$200.00 |
| 36 - 40 ft. * |
$250.00 |
| 41 - 45 ft. * |
$300.00 |
| 46 - 50 ft. * |
$400.00 |
| Over 50 ft. * |
$600.00 |
| Registration of an outboard engine |
$20.00 |
| Duplicate registration (vessel or engine) |
$5.00 |
| Duplicate decals |
$2.00 |
| Transfer title of a vessel |
$5.00 |
| Duplicate or corrected title
of a vessel |
$5.00 |
| Late fee |
$15.00 |
| * Vessels over 30 ft. may, upon request, register for one year at the rate of ½ of the 2-yr. fee. |
Where To Title and Register Your Vessel
Your certificate of number, registration, and title can be obtained by submitting the proper application and fee to:
Department of Environmental Management
Registration and Licensing
235 Promenade Street
Providence, RI 02908
Forms are obtained by writing to the address above, calling 401-222-6647, or accessing the Internet at the Department of Environmental Management Licensing & Registration page.
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