It's the Law: Before Going Out
All operators are required to obey laws that
regulate your vessel’s registration and operation.
Registering Your Vessel
You must have a Wisconsin Certificate of Number (registration) and expiration decals to operate a recreational vessel legally. Exceptions to the requirement to register a recreational vessel include:
- Sailboats 12 feet of length or less and not equipped with a motor, and sailboards
- Manually propelled vessels that are not equipped with a motor or sail
- Vessels registered in another state and using Wisconsin waters for less than 60 consecutive days
The Certificate of Number is obtained by submitting the proper application and fee to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR).
The Certificate of Number (registration card) must be on board and available for inspection by an enforcement officer whenever the vessel is operated.
The registration number and decals must be displayed as follows.
- Numbers must be placed on each side of the forward half of the vessel.
- Number must be read from left to right.
- Number must be in at least 3˝-high BLOCK letters.
- Number’s color must contrast with its background.
- Letters must be separated from the numbers by a space at least two inches wide.
- Decals must be affixed three inches behind (towards the stern) and in line with the number.
Other Facts About Titling and Registration
Titling: Only vessels 16 feet or more in length require a Certificate of Title.
Vessel Operation: If your vessel requires registration, it is illegal to operate it or allow others to operate your vessel unless it is registered and numbered properly.
Expiration: Registration is valid for three years, beginning on April 1 and expiring on March 31 at the end of each three-year period. No vessel may be operated after March 31 without renewing the registration.
Duplicates: If a Certificate of Number is lost or destroyed, the vessel owner must apply to the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) for a duplicate.
Buying or Selling a Vessel: Transfer of ownership of a vessel terminates the Certificate of Number and Certificate of Title.
- The “buyer” must apply for a new registration and/or title on forms furnished by the DNR. The previous owner’s Certificate of Number and Certificate of Title must accompany the application.
- Upon receipt of the required fee and applications, the DNR will issue a new Certificate of Number and/or title.
- After applying, the “buyer” may operate the vessel for up to 60 days while waiting for the registration card and expiration decals to arrive. The operator must have a copy of the application on board.
- It is unlawful to transfer the number assigned by the DNR from one vessel to another.
Changes Requiring Notification: The owner of a registered vessel must notify the DNR within 15 days of the occurrence of any of the following events.
- The owner changes his or her address.
- The owner transfers all or any part of his or her interest in the vessel.
- The vessel is destroyed or abandoned.
Documented Vessels: 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 also must be registered in Wisconsin.
- The expiration decals must be displayed on either side of the vessel’s name on the transom, but it is not required to display the registration number.
- If the expiration decals are not displayed beside the vessel’s name, then the registration number and decals must be displayed as they are for undocumented vessels.
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