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 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 (without a motor)
• Sailboards
• Vessels properly registered in another state and using Idaho waters for 60 or fewer consecutive days
• Vessels documented by the U.S. Coast Guard

The original Certificate of Registration or registration renewal must be on board and available for inspection by an enforcement officer whenever the vessel is operated.

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 sharply with its background.
• Letters must be separated from the numbers by a space or hyphen equal to the letter width: 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 to either side of the registration number. Expired stickers must be removed or covered completely by the new sticker.

Where To Register

Registration application forms can be obtained from:

• The Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation
• Boat registration vendors
• Any county assessor's or motor vehicle office

Submit your registration application and fee to:

Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation
Registration Section
P.O. Box 83720
Boise, ID 83720-0065

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.

Fees To Register Your Vessel

Other Facts About Titling and Registering

• 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, personal watercraft, and sailboats)
  • Vessels over 12 feet in length with an outboard motor
• The Certificate of Registration expires on December 31 each year. Renewal notices are mailed to owners of previously registered vessels. You may send the renewal directly to the Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation (IDPR) or take it to a boat registration vendor, a county assessor’s office, or a motor vehicle 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. Call the USCG at 1-800-799-8362 for more information.