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

Requirements for vessel registration vary from state to state. In Delaware , you must have a Delaware Certificate of Number (registration) and validation decals to legally operate your vessel on public waters. The only exceptions are: Non-motorized vessels Vessels registered in other states using Delaware waters for 60 days or less Vessels documented with the U.S. Coast Guard The Certificate of Number and validation decals are obtained by submitting the proper application and fee to any authorized licensing agent

Certificate of Number The Certificate of Number (registration card) must be carried on board the vessel whenever the vessel is operated.

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

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 forward half of the vessel where no other number may be displayed. The number should be placed as high above the waterline as possible.
• Number shall read from left to right on both sides of the vessel.
• Number must be in at least three-inch-high, vertical BLOCK letters.
• Number’s color must contrast with its background.
• Letters must be separated from the numbers by a space or hyphen. For example: “DL 1234 BD” or “DL-1234-BD”.
• Decal must be affixed on both sides of the vessel within six inches of, and in line with, the registration number. The decal may precede or follow the number. Expired decals must be removed.

If your vessel requires registration, it is illegal to operate or allow others to operate your vessel unless it is registered and numbered as described above.

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

Other Facts About Registering Your Vessel

• The Certificate of Number is valid for one or three years, at the option of the owner.
• The owner of a registered vessel must notify the DNREC’s Division of Fish and Wildlife within 15 days if:
  • He or she changes address
  • The vessel is lost, stolen, destroyed, abandoned or sold
• Owners of vessels registered in another state have 60 days to transfer the registration to Delaware when Delaware becomes the state of principal use.
• If you lose or destroy your Certificate of Number or decal, you must apply to DNREC’s Division of Fish and Wildlife or an authorized licensing agent 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’s Documentation Center at (304) 271-2400 for more information. (Read more about obtaining the U.S. Coast Guard’s Certificate of Documentation.)

Registration Questions?

Contact the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control, Division of Fish and Wildlife. Call (302) 739-3498 or visit DNREC’s website at www.dnrec.state.de.us.

Hull Identification Number

The Hull Identification Number (HIN) is a unique, 12 (or more) 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 attached to the transom
  • Should be recorded by the owner and put in a place other than the vessel in case warranty problems arise or the vessel is lost or stolen
• If your vessel is home-made, apply for a hull identification number with the DNREC.
• It is against the law to destroy, alter, cover, deface or mutilate a HIN.