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

REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS:

Both Federal and State law require that any pleasure vessel, whether propelled wholly or in part by mechanical means, which is operated on the waters of the state of new York, be registered with the NYS Dept of Motor Vehicles.  Owner of vessels which are documented exclusively for pleasure with the federal government and which operate principally within NYS, must also apply to Motor Vehicles for a registration certificate and are required to display validation stickers.  The following vessels are exempt from state registration requirements:  vessels operating commercially with either a U.S. or foreign document; vessels legally registered in another state (up to 90 consecutive days maximum); lifeboats (not including tenders and dinghies); competition race boats; and non mechanically propelled vessels.


CERTIFICATE OF REGISTRATION:

The registration certificate is your proof of current registration.  It may also be your only proof of ownership unless the vessel is titled or documented.   Vessel operators, whether they are the owner or not, must carry the vessel's original certificate of registration on board at all times.  Likewise, the documented vessel must also carry its documentation at all times when the vessel is in use.


CORRECT DISPLAY OF NUMBER:

The registration number consists of the letter NY followed by four numbers and two letters.  A space, or a hyphen, the width of a letter, must separate the first and last two numbers from the four middle numbers (NY 1234 AB).  The numbers must be painted or permanently attached to both sides of the vessel's bow.  It should read from left to right, be of block letters not less than three inches in height, and of a color that contrasts with that of the hull.  The registration number should be the only number on the forward half of the vessel and should be clearly visible and readable from at least 100 feet during daylight hours.  This number may not be transferred to another vessel.


VALIDATION STICKERS:

Two validation stickers will be issued at the time of registration.   These stickers will display the month and the year of registration expiration.   Validation stickers are to be affixed to the hull, in line with, and no further than three inches aft of, the registration number.  On vessels documented for pleasure with the U.S. Coast Guard, the validation stickers should be placed in approximately the same location.

HULL IDENTIFICATION NUMBER:

Federal regulations require all vessel manufacturers to permanently affix a HIN to every vessel produced.  This 12 character identification, not to be confused with the vessel's registration number, is not only required in order for you to have your vessel registered, it also assists in product safety notifications as well as lost or stolen vessel recovery, much the same as the VIN on your car.  Make sure that the HIN found on the transom of your vessel matches the number printed on your registration certificate.  If there is a discrepancy, notify the Department of Motor Vehicles.

DOCUMENTED VESSELS:

Some larger vessels owned by U.S. citizens may be documented with the U.S. Coast Guard.  In New York, all documented pleasure vessels must apply for registration and display the appropriate validation stickers.  The Department of Motor Vehicles will not issue a title or a number to a documented vessel, however you will receive a registration certificate and a set of validation stickers.  Registration fees and taxes are paid at the time of registration.

TITLES:

The Department of Motor Vehicles issues titles to all 1987 model year and newer vessels which are at least 14 feet in length.  The title is your clear proof of ownership which must be surrendered to a new owner at time of transfer.  If your vessel is less than 14 feet, then the registration certificate serves as the proof of ownership and must be signed over to a new owner.

HOW DO I REGISTER MY BOAT?

Simply complete Motor Vehicle's form MV-82B (application for registration), have the appropriate registration fee, provide proof of ownership, proof of payment of sales tax (may be paid to Motor Vehicles at time of registration), along with a bill of sale and you're all set.  If this is a new boat, or a vessel being registered for the first time, you will also need to bring the original certificate, or statement, of origin from the manufacturer with you to the Department of Motor Vehicles.