Which Boats Require Registration?

Requirements for vessel registration vary from state to state. In West Virginia, you must have a West Virginia Certificate of Number and validation decals to operate your vessel legally on public waters. The only exceptions are:

• Public vessels of the United States, West Virginia, or its municipalities
• Vessels registered in other states using West Virginia waters for 60 days or less
• Vessels registered in another country using West Virginia waters temporarily
• Non-motorized vessels, such as canoes, rowboats, or sailboats, that do not have an auxiliary motor