Chapter 4: The Legal Requirements of Boating
Your Vessel’s Certificate of Number and Decals

Requirements for vessel registration vary from state to state. In Nevada, you must have a Nevada Certificate of Number (registration) and validation decals to operate a vessel legally on Nevada’s public waters. The only exceptions are:

• Non-motorized vessels (sailboats without engines, canoes, kayaks, etc.)
• Vessels properly registered in another state and using Nevada waters for 90 or fewer consecutive days
• Ship’s lifeboats

The Certificate of Number and validation decals are obtained by submitting the proper application form and fee to:

Nevada Department of Wildlife
1100 Valley Road
Reno, NV 89512

Validation Decals

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

• Number must be painted, decaled, or otherwise affixed to the forward half of each side of the vessel, placed to be clearly legible.
• Number must read from left to right on both sides of the vessel.
• Number must be in at least three-inch-high BLOCK letters.
• Number’s color must contrast with its background.
• Letters must be separated from the numbers by a space or hyphen:
  NV 3717 ZW or NV-3717-ZW.
• Decals must be affixed on each side of the vessel toward the stern of the registration number and within 6 inches of and in line with the 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 as described above.

PWCs are also required to display the registration number and validation decals.

Other Facts About Titling and Registering Your Vessel

• All vessels that require registration must be titled also.
• A Certificate of Number is valid until December 31 of the year it was issued. Owners of vessels that have been registered previously will be sent a renewal notice to their residence.
• If you change your address or transfer your interest in a registered vessel, or if the vessel is abandoned, destroyed, or stolen, you must notify the Nevada Department of Wildlife in writing within 10 days of the event.
• If you lose or destroy your Certificate of Number, decal, or title, you must apply 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). (Read more about obtaining the U.S. Coast Guard’s Certificate of Documentation.) Call the USCG at 1-800-799-8362 for more information. Documented vessels also must obtain Nevada registration.

Registration Questions? Call the Nevada Department of Wildlife at 775-688-1500.

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.
• If your vessel is homemade, the Department of Wildlife may issue you a Hull Identification Number.
• It is illegal to destroy, remove, cover, or mutilate a Hull Identification Number.