Other Facts About Titling and Registering Your Vessel

Here are some additional facts about titling and registering your vessel.

• All vessels that are 20 feet long or longer or have a permanently affixed engine must be titled also.
• The Certificate of Number and validation decals expire on March 31 every three years following issuance. The Certificate of Number and validation decals may be renewed on the Secretary of State website or at any Secretary of State branch office.
• As the owner of a vessel, you must notify the Secretary of State and surrender your Certificate of Number within 15 days if:
  • Your vessel is abandoned or destroyed or…
  • Your vessel is sold or ownership is otherwise transferred or…
  • You change your address.
• If you lose or destroy your Certificate of Number or decal, you must apply to the Secretary of State 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). Call the USCG at 1-800-799-8362 for more information. Documented vessels are required to be registered also.