Boat Registrations
Any motorized boat operated on the public waters of New Hampshire, including tidal and coastal waters and all inland waters, must be registered and must display the bow number issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles as part of the registration process, unless the boat is exempt as provided in Section RSA 270-E:4. Boats may be registered at any time of year, but each boat registration expires on December 31st of the year it was registered.
How to Register a Boat in New Hampshire
To register a boat in New Hampshire, the owner of the boat must provide the following:
Proof of ownership (i.e., a Bill of Sale, previous Boat Registration from previous owner, if not new and Owner's Driver License). If you don't have a previous Boat Registration from the previous owner, a Verification of Vessel Identification (HIN verification) form must be completed by New Hampshire police officer.
Verification of Vessel Identification if the boat is homemade or when a 12-digit Hull Identification Number (HIN) was not assigned to a vessel manufactured after 1972 or when there is no HIN present for any vessel manufactured for any given year.
Where to Register a Boat in New Hampshire
Registrations for privately-owned boats may be processed in person at certain Department of Motor Vehicles offices, at authorized boat agents (The Town of Hudson is a boat agent, a $5.00 boat agent fee will apply), or may be sent by mail to the Concord Department of Motor Vehicles at:
NH Department of Safety
Department of Motor Vehicles - Boat Registrations
23 Hazen Drive
Concord, NH 03305
Registering a Homemade Boat
Please provide a bill of sale, a Verification of Vessel Identification, receipts from materials purchased, floor plans or blueprints, and a driver's license when registering a homemade boat.
Registering Your Boat if You Live in Another State
If you live in another state, and if your boat is used primarily in New Hampshire, (51% or more) it may be registered in New Hampshire.
Boat Registrations
Once a boat is registered, the owner will be issued a registration certificate along with a decal. The registration certificate must be kept on the boat at all times when the boat is being operated. Every New Hampshire registered boat must display a bow number and current registration decal.
Boat Renewals
All boat registrations expire on December 31st of the year in which they were registered. The Department of Motor Vehicles mails renewal notices to boat owners prior to the December 31st expiration.
To renew a boat registration, the owner may complete and return the renewal notice along with a check for the proper fee (as indicated on the boat renewal notice) to the Concord Location, or they may be renewed in person at any New Hampshire authorized boat agent (Town of Hudson) or certified marina, additional $5.00 boat agent fee will apply.
If you wish to have another person renew a boat registration on your behalf, you must provide him/her with the current boat renewal notification notice signed by you, the owner. If you did not receive a renewal notice or are unable to locate it, you may provide your previous registration certificate and a completed and signed Boat Registration Form instead.
Hull Identification Numbers (HIN)
The Hull Identification Number is a unique 12-digit number assigned by the manufacturer to vessels built in 1973 to present. Owners of older vessels manufactured without a HIN or of homemade vessels that have not been assigned HIN should have a Verification of Vessel Identification completed by a New Hampshire law enforcement officer.
Bow Numbers
Boats are assigned a bow number upon initial registration of that boat in New Hampshire. Boats previously registered in New Hampshire will keep the same Bow number for the life of the boat. Bow numbers begin with "NH" followed by four numbers and either one or two letters. Bow numbers are assigned automatically and sequentially; the Department of Motor Vehicles does not issue specific bow numbers upon request.
