Your State's Boating Regulations
	Please review your state's boating regulations:

REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS:

In New Hampshire all motorboats of any size and sailboats, including sailboards 12 feet in length or greater must be registered in New Hampshire.  Exceptions are vessels registered under the approved numbering system of another state or country using New Hampshire waters for not more than 30 consecutive days and U.S. Government vessels.   Apply for your registration with the Department of Safety or an authorized agent of the department.

Registrations expire December 31st each year.  your registration certificate must be on board the vessel whenever the vessel is operated.  It shall be available for examination by a peace officer or representative of the Port Authority upon request.   The certificate of registration indicates the boat's bow number.  These numbers must be properly displayed as follows:

1. The figures are read from left to right.
2. They must be displayed on the forward half of each side of the bow of the boat. 
3. Numbers must be in bold, block characters of equal proportion.
4. Numbers must be not less than three inches high.
5. Numbers must be of contrasting color to the boat hull or background.
6. Numbers must be as high above the waterline as practical, and plainly visible.
7. No number other than the number assigned may be displayed on the forward half of the vessel.
8. Letters must be separated from the numbers by spaces or hyphens.  (See diagram on page 6.)
9. The validation decals must be placed within six inches to the right of and in line with the assigned numbers.

REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS FOR U.S.  DOCUMENTED VESSELS:

Any vessel of at least 5 net tons wholly owned by a United States citizen or citizens, is eligible for documentation.  This includes, but is not limited to, vessels used exclusively for pleasure.  A Certificate of Document is issued by the U. S. Coast Guard, and must be renewed annually.  The official number of the vessel, preceded by the abbreviation "No." must be marked by any permanent method which cannot be obliterated or obscured son some clearly visible interior structural part of the hull.   Also, for vessels documented exclusively for pleasure, the name and hailing port of the vessel must be marked together in legible letters on some clearly visible exterior part of the hull.

Documented vessels and vessels numbered by another state which are moored, docked, or operated more than 30 consecutive days in New Hampshire in any calendar year must obtain a current New Hampshire certificate of registration/decal and shall display the decal on both sides of the bow.

REMAINDER CERTIFICATE:

If you sell a currently registered vessel or your vessel is lost, stolen, or destroyed and you purchase another vessel of the same class, you may register the new vessel with the Department of Motor Vehicles for $1.00.  The DMV will adjust the fee for a larger class boat.  This registration will be valid for the remainder of the registration period.

CHANGE OF ADDRESS:

Notify the New Hampshire Department of Safety, Division of Motor Vehicles, 10 Hazen Drive, Concord, New Hampshire, 03305 in writing within 15 days if you change your address.

CHANGE OF OWNERSHIP, THEFT, OR LOSS:

If you sell your boat or it is stolen or destroyed, notify the New Hampshire Department of Safety, Division of Motor Vehicles, 10 Hazen Drive, Concord, New Hampshire, 03305 in writing within 15 days.

RECIPROCITY:

A vessel registered under the approved numbering system of another state may operate in New Hampshire waters for up to 30 consecutive days without penalty before a New Hampshire registration is required.  New Hampshire registered boats may be used in other states for similar periods of time before that state's numbers are required.