Registering Your Boat

Although they are often skippered by teens and young adults, boats are not toys. Both the craft and its operator must comply with all Federal and state requirements.

Federal regulations require that most watercraft be registered and have an identification number. A validation sticker and registration number must be displayed on the craft. The U.S. Coast Guard enforces the federal laws, rules and operating procedures.

State regulations vary, but may require the operator to be of a minimum age (usually 14 to 16 years old), complete a safe boating course and/or obtain an operator's certificate. States and local jurisdictions may also regulate speed limits, hours and areas of operation. Click on a state below for more details.

State Boating Registration websites

Alabama	Hawaii*	Michigan	North Carolina	Utah
Alaska	Idaho	Minnesota	North Dakota	Vermont
Arizona	Illinois	Mississippi	Ohio	Virginia
Arkansas	Indiana	Missouri	Oklahoma	Washington
California	Iowa	Montana	Oregon	West Virginia
Colorado	Kansas	Nebraska	Pennsylvania	Wisconsin
Connecticut	Kentucky	Nevada	Rhode Island*	Wyoming
Delaware*	Louisiana	New Hampshire	South Carolina
District of Columbia*	Maine*	New Jersey*	South Dakota
Florida	Maryland	New Mexico	Tennessee
Georgia	Massachusetts*	New York	Texas

*Please note: Safeco does not currently write watercraft insurance policies for boats primarily stored/moored in Delaware, District of Columbia, Hawaii, Maine, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and Rhode Island.