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 New Mexico, all motorboats operating on state waters must be numbered and the Certificate of Number must be carried on board the vessel whenever the vessel is operated. The only exceptions are:

• Motorboats owned by the United States, New Mexico, or any subdivision of those governments
• Motorboats from another country using New Mexico waters temporarily
• Documented vessels by the U.S. Coast Guard

Validation Decals

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

• Number must be painted on or otherwise permanently affixed to each side of the forward half of the vessel.
• Number must read from left to right on both sides of the bow.
• Number must be in at least three-inch-high BLOCK letters (no script).
• Number’s color must contrast sharply with its background.
• Letters must be separated from the numbers by a space or hyphen: NM 3717 AA or NM-3717-AA.
• No other numbers may be displayed on either side of the bow.
• Decal must be placed on the port (left) side of the vessel and six inches to the right (rear) of the registration number.

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

PWCs also are required to display registration number and validation decal.

Other Facts about Titling and Registering Your Vessel

Every motorboat that is 10 feet in length or longer, operating on New Mexico waters, and owned by a person who lives in the state must be titled. However, it is a good idea for all vessels to be titled.

Every Certificate of Number, except those issued to dealers and manufacturers, expires on December 31 of the third calendar year of its registration. The boat’s registration number will remain assigned to that boat for the life of the boat, except when a boat is transferred out of state, destroyed, or abandoned.

The Certificate of Number is renewed every three years. Renewals must be received by MVD by 60 days after the old certificate’s expiration date. MVD does not notify owners of their validation decal expiration automatically.

If ownership of the vessel changes, the new owner must file an application and receive a new Certificate of Number before the vessel can be operated.

If a numbered vessel is destroyed, abandoned, or sold, the owner must notify MVD within 15 days. It is a good idea to remove the validation decal and numbers at that time.

If you change your address, you must provide the Motor Vehicle Division with the new address, the current Certificate of Number, and the proper fee. You will receive a new Certificate of Number that shows your new address, but the boat’s registration number will not change.

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.

Registration Questions? Call the New Mexico Motor Vehicle Division (MVD) at 1-888-683-4636 or visit one of its offices.

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. It is illegal to damage, tamper with, alter, or change your HIN.