How Soon To Register A Boat After Purchase In New York

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

New York is one of the best places in the earth for boating, pond and relaxing out on the water. With thousands upon thousands of miles of sparkling waterfront, lakes, rivers and ponds, owning and operating a boat in New York is the ultimate sunny 24-hour interval must-accept. From fishing to watersports, there'southward goose egg amend than existence the proud owner of a New York boat.

Nevertheless, if you're going to take your boat out on New York waters, it needs to be properly registered to ensure legal functioning. Hither's BOATsmart!'s guide to getting your boat ready to be legally taken out on the cute waters that call New York domicile.

Illustration of New York boat registration number guidelines.

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

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

What Boats Are Exempt From Gunkhole Registration in New York?

Most boats in New York Country demand to exist registered, with some exceptions. Yous practice not demand to register your boat with the country if…

information technology is a lifeboat
it is a boat racing in competition
the boat is currently registered in another country and will non be kept in New York for more than than 90 consecutive days
your gunkhole is non-motorized (similar a canoe or kayak)

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

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

Proof of identity (a New York driver'due south license, learner'due south permit or current identification bill of fare)
Proof of buying (a manufacturer'due south statement of origin, a championship, transferable registration or a The states Declension Guard document)
Completed Boat Registration/Title Application
Bill of sale and/or proof of sales tax clearance
Greenbacks, check, money order or credit/debit card payment for fees and sales taxation

Annals your boat past visiting your local Department of Motor Vehicle office or by mailing the proper materials to your canton'southward DMV role.

How Much Does Boat Registration Price in the State of New York?

Those registering their boats in the state of New York will pay a fee for registration forth with a fee for boating safety, which all depends on the length of your boat. Approximate registration fees are as follows:

LENGTH	REGISTRATION FEE	SURCHARGE	TOTAL
Less than xvi anxiety	$22.50	$3.75	$26.25
xvi feet to less than 26 anxiety	$45.00	$12.l	$57.fifty
26 feet or longer	$75.00	$18.75	$93.75

Depending on other factors, you lot may also pay a $50 title fee. You can be issued a championship certificate for your gunkhole if:

Your boat is model year 1987 or newer
Your boat is at to the lowest degree 14 feet long
Your boat is already registered in New York Land

How Exercise I Transfer Gunkhole Ownership to My New Boat?

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

If your boat is model year 1987 or newer, and/or your gunkhole is at least 14 ft. long, this is how you lot transfer gunkhole ownership:

Seller with electric current proof of ownership must provide a pecker of sale and sign transfer section
If the seller currently has a championship certificate that was transferred to them, seller must utilize for a new championship certificate and transfer that one
- The buyer'south name must be on the new certificate
- Ensure that all information on new title certificate is not at all contradistinct

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

The owner tin use bill of auction or transferable registration
Registration document must be marked as "transferable"
The seller whose name 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 Instruction Grade?

Operating a motorized gunkhole in New York Land requires the completion of a boater safety instruction course, which is where BOATsmart! comes in. As a program officially recognized by the US Coast Baby-sit and the National Association of Country Boating Law Administrators, our course is sure to have you lot educated, knowledgeable and prophylactic on the water.

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

Built-in	Appointment By WHICH Y'all NEED A CERTIFICATE
On or afterward May ane, 1996	Before yous can operate a boat in New York
On or after January 1, 1993	January ane, 2020
On or later Jan 1, 1988	January 1, 2022
On or after Jan 1, 1983	Jan 1, 2023
On or after January 1, 1978	January 1, 2024

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

Your boat registration stickers should be displayed xviii inches from the bow on both sides of the boat.

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

—

Every motorized vehicle must be currently registered, so keep up with necessary regulations to stay legal and safe on New York waters. There's nothing equally fun as a boat day — especially one where you lot're safe, registered and happy — then utilize BOATsmart! as your canoeing safety friend.