How To Register A Homemade Boat In Ny

Follow these steps to ensure that yous're legally registered to operate a boat in New York State.

New York is one of the all-time places in the globe for canoeing, swimming and relaxing out on the water. With thousands upon thousands of miles of sparkling waterfront, lakes, rivers and ponds, owning and operating a gunkhole in New York is the ultimate sunny day must-accept. From fishing to watersports, there's zippo meliorate than beingness the proud owner of a New York boat.

However, if you lot're going to take your gunkhole out on New York waters, it needs to be properly registered to ensure legal operation. Hither'south BOATsmart!'s guide to getting your boat ready to be legally taken out on the beautiful waters that call New York abode.

Illustration of New York boat registration number guidelines.

How Do I Know If My Boat Needs to Exist Registered?

If your boat is even partially motorized, it will need to be registered with New York'due south Department of Motor Vehicles. Boat owners must register whatsoever boat partially or wholly motor driven, and whatever boat operated on public New York waters must be registered with the DMV.

What Boats Are Exempt From Gunkhole Registration in New York?

Almost boats in New York State need to be registered, with some exceptions. Yous do not need to register your boat with the land if…

it is a lifeboat
it is a boat racing in competition
the boat is currently registered in another country and will not exist kept in New York for more than ninety sequent days
your gunkhole is non-motorized (like a canoe or kayak)

How Do I Register My Gunkhole in the State of New York?

When registering your gunkhole in the country of New York, you'll demand:

Proof of identity (a New York driver'southward license, learner's let or electric current identification card)
Proof of ownership (a manufacturer's statement of origin, a title, transferable registration or a United States Declension Guard certificate)
Completed Boat Registration/Championship Application
Bill of sale and/or proof of sales revenue enhancement clearance
Cash, check, coin club or credit/debit card payment for fees and sales tax

Register your boat by visiting your local Department of Motor Vehicle office or by mailing the proper materials to your canton's DMV office.

How Much Does Boat Registration Cost in the Land of New York?

Those registering their boats in the state of New York volition pay a fee for registration along with a fee for boating rubber, which all depends on the length of your boat. Approximate registration fees are equally follows:

LENGTH	REGISTRATION FEE	SURCHARGE	TOTAL
Less than 16 feet	$22.50	$3.75	$26.25
16 feet to less than 26 feet	$45.00	$12.50	$57.50
26 anxiety or longer	$75.00	$18.75	$93.75

Depending on other factors, yous may also pay a $50 championship fee. You can be issued a championship document for your boat if:

Your boat is model yr 1987 or newer
Your boat is at to the lowest degree xiv feet long
Your boat is already registered in New York State

How Practise I Transfer Gunkhole Ownership to My New Gunkhole?

Did you just buy a boat from another seller? Congratulations! The directions for transferring boat ownership in New York differ depending on the model of your boat and the length of the boat.

If your boat is model yr 1987 or newer, and/or your boat is at least xiv ft. long, this is how you lot transfer boat ownership:

Seller with current proof of ownership must provide a bill of sale and sign transfer section
If the seller currently has a title document that was transferred to them, seller must apply for a new title certificate and transfer that one
- The buyer's name must be on the new certificate
- Ensure that all information on new title certificate is not at all altered

If your boat is model twelvemonth 1986 or older, and/or your gunkhole is less than 14 ft. long, this is how you transfer gunkhole ownership:

The possessor can apply bill of sale or transferable registration
Registration document must be marked as "transferable"
The seller whose proper noun is on the transferable registration must sign the dorsum of the registration

NY Boat Registration and Boater Education Card requirements.

Will I Need to Take a Boater Safety Education Course?

Operating a motorized gunkhole in New York State requires the completion of a boater prophylactic education course, which is where BOATsmart! comes in. As a program officially recognized past the US Coast Guard and the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators, our course is sure to have you educated, knowledgeable and safe on the water.

In New York State, all boat operators will require successful completion of a boater condom education form by 2025. The New York State requirements are as follows:

BORN	Appointment Past WHICH YOU NEED A CERTIFICATE
On or afterwards May one, 1996	Before you tin can operate a boat in New York
On or afterwards January 1, 1993	January 1, 2020
On or after January 1, 1988	January 1, 2022
On or after January one, 1983	January one, 2023
On or after January 1, 1978	January 1, 2024

What Else Do I Need to Know Nigh Boat Registration in New York?

Your gunkhole registration stickers should be displayed eighteen inches from the bow on both sides of the gunkhole.

Your boat registration is good for three years in New York, and can be renewed online, by mail service or in person.

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Every motorized vehicle must exist currently registered, then keep up with necessary regulations to stay legal and safe on New York waters. There's nothing as fun as a boat solar day — peculiarly one where y'all're safe, registered and happy — and so use BOATsmart! every bit your boating safety friend.