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 an Iowa Registration Certificate and registration decals to operate a vessel on Iowa’s public waters legally. Exceptions to registration are:

• Inflatable vessels that are 7 feet or less in length
• Canoes and kayaks that are 13 feet or less in length and have no motor or sail
• Vessels properly registered in another state and using Iowa waters for 60 or fewer days within one calendar year

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

• The registration number and registration decals must be displayed as follows.
  • Number must be painted, applied as a decal, or otherwise affixed to the forward half of each side of the vessel, placed for maximum visibility.
  • No other numbers may be displayed on either side of the bow.
  • Number must read from left to right on both sides of the vessel.
  • Number must be in at least 3-inch-high, bold, BLOCK letters.
  • Number’s color must contrast with its background.
  • Letters must be separated from the numbers by a space or hyphen: IA 3717 ZW or IA-3717-ZW.
  • Decals must be affixed on each side of the vessel, toward the stern of the registration number, 4 inches from and in line with the number.
• If a vessel is propelled by sail alone, the registration number may be placed in a position to provide maximum visibility, including placement on the mast.
• A sailboard is not required to display the registration number, but the decal must be placed on the bottom surface of the bow of the sailboard.
• 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.

Where To Register

The Registration Certificate and registration decals are obtained by presenting the proper application form and fee to the County Recorder in the county of residence of the owner if the owner is an Iowa resident or in the county where the vessel is principally used if the owner is a non-resident.

Registration Questions? Call the Iowa Department of Natural Resources at 515-281-5918.

Registration Fees (renewal)

Other Facts About Titling and Registering

• All vessels 17 feet long or longer must have a title when purchased new, transferred, or a lien exists against the vessel. Inflatables, kayaks, and canoes are exempt from titling.
• A Registration Certificate is valid for three years and expires on April 30th of the last calendar year of the registration period. Owners of vessels that have been registered previously may be sent a renewal notice to their residence.
• If a numbered vessel is abandoned or destroyed, or if the owner’s address or name is changed, the owner must notify the County Recorder within 10 days of the event.
• If you lose or destroy your Registration Certificate or decals, you must apply for a duplicate and pay a $1.00 duplicate fee plus a $1.25 writing fee.
• A vessel that has an expired registration certificate from another state may be registered in Iowa when the owner submits the proper application, payment of all applicable registration and writing fees, and payment of a $5.00 penalty.
• 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 and display only the registration decals.