Other Facts About Titling and Registering Your Vessel

Here are some additional facts about titling and registering your vessel.

• A Certificate of Registration is valid for three years from the date of registration. A renewal form is mailed to the owner prior to the expiration date. If the renewal form is not received by mail, the owner should go to a DMV office and renew in person or visit their website.
• The DMV issues a Certificate of Title for model year 1987 and newer vessels that are at least 14 feet long and registered in New York State. This title takes the place of the registration certificate as proof of ownership for these vessels. Titles are not issued for documented vessels.
• If you change your address, you must notify the DMV within 10 days.
• If your vessel is destroyed, abandoned, lost, or stolen, notify the DMV within 15 days.
• If you lose or destroy your Certificate of Registration, you must apply for a duplicate certificate and submit a processing fee.
• Any vessel visiting New York from another state has up to 90 days before it must register with the DMV, provided it is currently registered in its state of principal use.
• 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 recreational vessels also must be registered in New York and must display the validation stickers.