It's the Law: Before Going Out
All operators are required to obey laws that
regulate your vessel’s registration, titling, and operation.
Registering Your Vessel
- 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 presenting the
proper application form and fee to the
Nevada Department of Wildlife.
- The Certificate of Number (registration card) must be on board and available for inspection by an enforcement officer whenever the vessel is operated.
- The registration number and validation decals must be displayed as follows.
- Number must be painted, applied as a decal, 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.
Other Facts About Titling and Registration
- All vessels that require registration must be titled also. Application for a title (Certificate of Ownership) must be accompanied by proof of payment of Nevada sales tax or use tax and proof of ownership.
- 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 numbered vessel, or if the vessel is abandoned, destroyed, or stolen, you must notify the 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. Call the USCG at 1-800-799-8362 for more information. Documented vessels also must obtain Nevada registration.
Registration and Titling Fees
| Transaction |
Vessel Length* |
Fee |
Title |
|
$20.00
|
Annual
Registration
of a vessel
(by length*) |
less than 13 ft.
|
$20.00
|
|
13 ft. to less than 18 ft.
|
$25.00
|
|
18 ft. to less than 22 ft.
|
$40.00
|
|
22 ft. to less than 26 ft.
|
$55.00
|
|
26 ft. to less than 31 ft.
|
$75.00
|
|
over 31 ft.
|
$100.00
|
Duplicate decals |
all lengths
|
$20.00
|
Duplicate title |
all lengths
|
$20.00
|
Transfer title of a used vessel (residents) |
all lengths
|
$20.00
|
Transfer title of a used vessel (non-residents) |
all lengths
|
$20.00
|
Transfer title of a new vessel |
all lengths
|
$20.00
|
* Measured from the tip of the bow to the back of the transom. |
Where To Title and Register Your Vessel
Your Certificate of Number, validation decals, and title can be obtained by submitting the proper application form and fee to:
Nevada Dept. of Wildlife
1100 Valley Road
Reno, NV 89512
Phone: 775-688-1500
Fax: 775-688-1595
Application forms are obtained by writing to the address above; calling 775-688-1500; or visiting one of the Department of Wildlife offices in Elko, Ely, Fallon, Henderson, Las Vegas, or Reno. Click here for addresses
and telephone numbers of these offices.
|
