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Chapter 4: The Legal Requirements of Boating
Your Vessel’s Certificate of Number and Decals

Requirements for vessel registration vary from state to state. In Alabama, you must have an Alabama Certificate of Number and validation decals to legally operate your vessel on public waters. Exceptions include:

• Non-motorized vessels (excluding sailboats or rental vessels)
• Vessels registered in other states using Alabama waters for 90 days or less
• Vessels operating under a valid temporary Certificate of Number

The Certificate of Number and validation decals are obtained by submitting the application and fee to the office of Judge of Probate or License Commissioner in your county.

Certificate Of Number

The Certificate of Number (registration certificate) must be on board and available for inspection by an enforcement officer whenever the vessel is operated.

Display of Validation Decals

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 bow and placed where it can be easily read.
• Number must read from left to right on both sides of the bow.
• Number must be in at least three-inch-high BLOCK letters (not slanted).
• Number's color must contrast with its background.
• Letters must be separated from the numbers by a space or hyphen. For example: AL 3717 ZW or AL-3717-ZW.
• No other numbers may be displayed on either side of the bow.
• Decals must be affixed on each side of the vessel. They should be placed within six inches before or after, and in line with, the registration number.

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 or unless you have a valid temporary registration on board.

PWCs also are required to display the certificate’s number and validation decals.

Other Facts About Registering Your Vessel

• Registrations are issued on a staggered basis each year. The first letter of the owner's last name determines the renewal month.
• If you change address, you must notify the Alabama Marine Police Division (AMPD) within 15 days of the change.
• If a numbered vessel is destroyed, stolen, abandoned, or lost, the owner should report it to the AMPD within 15 days of the event.
• If you lose or destroy your Certificate of Number, you must apply to the issuing office 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. Call the USCG at 1-800-799-8362 for more information. (Read more about obtaining the U. S. Coast Guard's "Certificate of Documentation".) Recreational vessels which are documented must also be registered in Alabama.
• Alabama law does not require registration of boat trailers or titling of vessels.

Registration Questions?

Call the Alabama Marine Police Division at 1-800-272-7930. Also, you can visit the office of Judge of Probate or License Commissioner in your county.

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.

A Hull Identification Number is required before a vessel built or manufactured after 1972 may be registered in Alabama. You may apply to the Alabama Marine Police Division for a HIN for a homemade vessel.

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