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 Vermont Certificate of Registration and validation stickers to operate any vessel propelled by a motor legally on the public waters of Vermont. The only exceptions are:

• Non-motorized vessels
• Vessels legally registered in another state or country that have not been within the State of Vermont for more than 90 days
• Vessels documented by the U.S. Coast Guard
• Vessels documented by the U.S. Coast Guard or registered legally in another state or country must validate their registration numbers by obtaining a validation sticker from the Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles if the vessels are used in the waters of Vermont for at least 30 days in any calendar year.

The Certificate of Registration and validation stickers are obtained by submitting the proper application and fee to the Department of Motor Vehicles.

The Certificate of Registration (registration card) 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.
• Number must read from left to right on both sides of the bow.
• Number must be in at least three-inch-high BLOCK letters. Number’s color must contrast sharply with its background.
• Letters must be separated from the numbers by a space or hyphen: VT 3717 ZW or VT-3717-ZW.
• No other numbers may displayed on either side of the bow.
• Stickers must be displayed on both sides, on the forward half of the vessel.

Where To Title and Register Your Vessel

Your Certificate of Registration, validation stickers, and title can be obtained by submitting the proper application and fee to:

Department of Motor Vehicles
120 State Street
Montpelier, Vermont 05603-0001

To obtain registration/title and validation stickers application forms:

• Call Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles at 802-828-2000.
• Visit the Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles website and download registration forms.
• Visit any Department of Motor Vehicles, any State Police office, or some Town Clerk's offices.
• Visit many marine dealers and marinas.

Other Facts About and Registering

• All motorized vessels that are 16 feet long or longer and manufactured as a 1989 model year or newer must be titled as well as registered. The application to obtain the title to your vessel is a part of the same form used to register the vessel.
• The registration fee includes the validation stickers.
• Registration is valid for one year from date of issue. You may not register for a partial year. The same registration number remains with your vessel from year to year unless you fail to renew.
• If you change your address or transfer ownership of your vessel, you must notify the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) within 15 days of the change.
• If your registered vessel is lost, stolen, or abandoned, you must report it to local authorities and to the DMV within 15 days.
• If you lose or destroy your Certificate of Registration or a sticker, 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. Owners of documented vessels must apply for and display Vermont validation stickers.

Schedule of Fees to Register Your Vessel

What You Need To Register and Title a Vessel

Obtain New Registration and/or Title

• Registration and title application
• If a previously owned vessel, Vermont Sales & Use Tax Return, proof that Vermont Sales & Use Tax has been paid, or proof of tax paid in another state
• Title if a previously owned vessel or Manufacturer’s Certificate of Origin (MCO) for a new vessel
• Proper fees

Transfer Registration and Title

• Registration and title application
• Vermont Sales & Use Tax Return, proof that Vermont Sales & Use Tax has been paid, or proof of tax paid in another state
• Previous registration certificate showing to whom your old vessel was sold or assigned
• Title, properly assigned
• Visual verification of the (HIN) Hull Identification Number by a certified law enforcement officer
• Proper fees

Obtain Validation Stickers

• Application for vessel validation
• Proof of valid registration or documentation from another state or province
• Vermont Sales & Use Tax Return, proof that Vermont Sales & Use Tax has been paid, or proof of tax paid in another state
• Proper fees

Obtain Title for a Homemade Vessel

• Registration and title application
• Manufacturer’s Certificate of Origin to a Homemade Vessel (available from DMV)
• Application for assignment of Vermont Hull Identification Number (HIN) to a vessel
• Proper fees