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

Requirements for vessel registration vary from state to state. In Indiana, you must have an Indiana certificate of registration to operate a vessel legally on public waters in Indiana. The only exceptions are:

Display of Number and Decals

The registration number and excise tax decals must be displayed as follows.

• Number must be painted, applied as a decal, or otherwise affixed to both sides of the bow.
• Number must read from left to right on both sides of the bow.
• Number’s color must contrast sharply with its background.
• Number must be in at least three-inch-high BLOCK letters.
• Letters must be separated from the numbers by a two-inch space.
• Number must be a single color and clearly legible from a distance of 100 feet.
• Excise tax decals must be affixed on both sides of the bow, to the right of and within three inches of the number.

Certain sailboats may qualify for an alternate display location for these decals.

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

Titling Your Vessel

A vessel that must be registered also must have a certificate of title unless the vessel was:

• Acquired by the owner before January 1, 1986 or...
• Less than $3,000 in value when new or...
• Home-built for personal use and not for resale.

Although there are exemptions from titling, you still may want to title your vessel. A title verifies ownership in case the vessel is stolen.

Boat Excise Tax

Indiana law requires owners of vessels that are operated, used, docked, or stored in Indiana to pay the boat excise tax.

• Vessels subject to excise tax include:
  • Motorboats registered in Indiana
  • Sailboats
• The amount of boat excise tax paid:
  • Is based on the value of the vessel when new and is reduced 10% each year up to a 50% reduction of the original amount.
  • Is a set fee for vessels that are stored in Indiana for 60 consecutive days or more in a boating year but are not used or docked in Indiana waters.
• When you receive your certificate of registration, you also receive two excise tax decals.
• Decals include the date of expiration. Only the current decals may be displayed.
• The boat excise tax decals are valid for one year. Owners of registered vessels will be sent a renewal notice to their residence automatically.
• If you lose or destroy your decals, you must apply to the BMV for duplicates and submit a processing fee.

Motorboat Registration Application

Registration and title application forms can be obtained from:

• Any tax collector’s office
• Many marine dealers, marinas, and bait shops
• Any Bureau of Motor Vehicles License Branch
• The Bureau of Motor Vehicles’ website

Registration Questions?

Visit the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles website at www.in.gov/bmv and download registration forms.

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.
• You may obtain a HIN for a home-built boat or replace a missing HIN by applying to your local BMV License Branch.