Chapter 4: The Legal Requirements of Boating
Your Vessel’s Certificate of Registration and Stickers

Requirements for vessel registration vary from state to state. In Idaho, you must have an Idaho Certificate of Registration and validation stickers to operate your vessel legally on Idaho waters. The only exceptions are:

• Manually propelled vessels (for example, canoes, rafts, and kayaks)
• Float tubes (single inner tube construction with or without a motor)
• Sailboards
• Vessels properly registered in another state and on Idaho waters for 60 or fewer consecutive days
• Vessels documented with the U.S. Coast Guard

The registration number and validation stickers must be displayed as follows.

• Number must be painted, applied as a decal, or otherwise affixed to both sides of the bow as high above the waterline as possible.
• Number must read from left to right on both sides of the bow.
• 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 equal to the letter width; for example: ID 3717 ZW or ID-3717-ZW.
• No other numbers may be displayed on either side of the bow.
• One sticker must be affixed to each side of the vessel. It must be within six inches of and in line with the registration number and may be placed on either side of the registration number. Expired stickers must be removed or completely covered by the new sticker.

PWCs also are required to display the certificate’s number and a validation sticker on both sides of the bow, high above the waterline.

Other Facts About Titling and Registering Your Vessel

As of January 1, 2000, the following vessels must be titled:

• Any vessel with a permanently attached mode of propulsion and model year 2000 or newer (for example: inboards, stern drives, PWCs, and sailboats)
• Vessels over 12 feet in length with an outboard motor

A Certificate of Registration expires December 31 each year. Renewal notices are mailed to owners of previously registered vessels. You may send the renewal directly to IDPR or take it to a boat license vendor or county assessor’s office.

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 Registration 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 U.S. Coast Guard (USCG). Call the USCG at 1-800-799-8362 for more information. Read more about obtaining the U. S. Coast Guard's Certificate of Documentation.

Registration Questions?

Visit the Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation website or call IDPR at 208-514-2475. Also, you can call or visit your County Sheriff or an IDPR office.

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, or are printed on inflated rafts and kayaks.

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.