I will be visiting Ohio and bringing my boat. Do I need to register it in Ohio?

The short answer is: No.
States have a reciprocation agreement about boat registrations, just like with automobile registrations. Just because you drive your car in another state doesn't mean you have to get license plates in that state.

If your boat is legally and currently registered in the state of primary use (the state that you use it most often) and you are _not_ a resident of Ohio, then you can use your boat on Ohio waters for up to 60 days without getting an Ohio registration for it. You must carry your primary-use-state registration with you onboard the vessel, and you are bound by all Ohio boating laws and rules.

If your boat is not required to be registered in your state of residence, then you need to carry proof of residency with you, to prove that you live out of state. You still are bound by all Ohio operating laws and rules.

Everyone who has received a plastic, wallet-size Boater Education Card/Certificate from Ohio DNR Watercraft can receive a replacement as long as we can locate you in our database. (Our database began in November 1999.) To find your record, we need your date of birth and last name. If your address has changed since you took your exam, please send us your current address as well. Call the nearest Watercraft office or email us at watercraft@dnr.state.oh.us with your information. It will take 10 to 15 working days to receive your new card.

Take the following to any boat registration agent:

• Proof of ownership... one of the following:
  • Manufacturers Statement of Origin - These are the original manufacturer documents the boat came with. They should list the Hull ID Number/serial number of the canoe/kayak, and that should match the serial number scratched/etched into the boat.
  • Bill of Sale (casual or from store/dealer)
  • Signed-over Ohio boat registration from previous owner
  • Notarized "Affidavit of Ownership" (Section 3 of DNR8460 OR Section 2 of DNR8474)
• Payment in a form accepted by the boat registration agent. Call before you go.
• Your driver's license or other acceptable form of identification.
• An application for a Watercraft Registration (DNR 8460 [pdf 228Kb] for a traditional registration OR DNR 8474 [pdf 241Kb] for an Alternative Registration)

Information you will need to fill in the application (DNR8460 or DNR8474) includes:

• The vessel's Hull Identification Number or serial number
• Previous registration number ("OH" numbers) if any
• Your name, current mailing address, and driver's license number

If the canoe/kayak was previously registered in Ohio, the boat's OH numbers will remain the same.

Boat Registration Agents

Details about the Alternative Registration for Hand-powered Vessels

Replacement decals and/or a copy of your registration are available through the mail or at one of our Watercraft Offices. They cost $4 each ($4 for a new set of decals and $4 for a copy of the registration). You need to send/bring in a Duplicate Order Form with the fee.

• Duplicate Order Form (DNR 8456) [pdf 159Kb]

Make all checks payable to Ohio Dept Natural Resources - Watercraft

Ohio law does not require that you carry boat insurance. That doesn't mean it isn't a good idea. Some insurance companies offer discounts for boat owners who take a boating safety class or skills class. Talk to your insurance agent.

Yes. Online Renewal ended September 30, but you can still renew in person at a Boat Registration Agent. Call in advance to confirm their hours of operation and acceptable method of payment. You will need to bring proof of identification (driver's license or other acceptable ID) along with your expiring registration or renewal notice.

You can also renew by mail directly to a Watercraft Office. Call for details.

Current decals must be displayed on your boat in order for the registration to be valid.

Visit a boat registration agent in person or work with one of our Watercraft offices to do it through the mail.

Find an agent

List of Watercraft offices

...boat in Ohio if I am just visiting from out-of-state? No, but your boat has to be legally registered in your state of residence. If your home state does not require a registration for your type of boat, then just be sure to have some proof of residency with you. Visitors can use their boats in Ohio up to 60 days.

...Sailboard? No.

...Kiteboard? No.

...Paddleboard? No.

...Float Tube? No.

...Belly Boat? No.

...Kayak? Yes.You have the option of a traditional registration or an alternative registration for hand-powered vessels.

...Canoe? Yes.You have the option of a traditional registration or an alternative registration for hand-powered vessels.

Ohio boat registration fees may be waived for boaters meeting these requirements:

• Disabled Veteran: Proof of 100% service-related disability in the form of a letter from the Veterans Affairs Administration stating 100% service-related disability.
• Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient: Written documentation of the presentation of the award.
• Former Prisoner of War: Written evidence in the form of a record of separation or a letter from one of the branches of the Armed Services stating that you were a prisoner of war and that you were either honorably discharged or are on active duty with one of the branches of the Armed Services of the Unites States; or were captured, separated, and incarcerated by an enemy of the United States at any time; and that you are a resident of Ohio. The Department of Veterans Affairs Administration can certify status in most instances.
• Veterans Car Assistance Program Participant: Written documentation of having been awarded funds by the Department of Veterans Affairs Administration for the adaptation/purchase of a motor vehicle.

Procedure: Complete "Section I - Information" of the Certified Application for Watercraft Registration and send it along with the necessary proof to:

If you need further assistance, please contact Stacie Stone at (614) 265-6494

• Certified Application for Watercraft Registration (DNR 8460) [pdf 244Kb]