Other Facts About Titling and Registering Your Vessel
The following vessels must be titled:
- Any vessel, model year 2000 or newer, with a permanently attached mode of propulsion (for example, inboards, stern drives, personal watercraft (PWC), and sailboats)
- Any non-exempt vessel, model year 2000 or newer, over 12 feet in length regardless of method of propulsion (for example, a year 2000, 13-foot boat with outboard motor)
The Certificate of Number and validation stickers expire on December 31 of each year. Renewal notices are sent to the owners of previously registered vessels via email. You may renew on the Internet, at a county Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) officer, or at a registration vendor.
- On the Internet: Go to IDPR website, and click on “Registrations, Renewals, and Passes.” Renewals completed online will be immediately validated, and customers will receive a temporary Certificate of Number via email. Permanent Certificate of Number and validation stickers will be fulfilled via mail. Customers will also have the option to set up automatic registration renewals.
- At a county DMV or registration vendor: Visit a county DMV office or registration vendor, and receive face-to-face customer service. (For a complete list of participating vendors and DMV locations, please visit the IDPR website.) Renewals completed at a county DMV or vendor will be immediately validated, and customers will receive either a temporary or a permanent Certificate of Number. All temporary Certificates of Number will be followed up by a permanent certificate fulfilled via mail.
If you change your address; if you sell, abandon, or destroy your vessel; or if your vessel is stolen, you must contact IDPR within 15 days.
If you lose or destroy your Certificate of Number or validation stickers, you must apply to IDPR 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 USCG. Call the USCG at 1-800-799-8362 for more information.
