Most boats must be registered through the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control before they can be sailed.

VESSELS THAT REQUIRE REGISTRATION

1. Any motorized watercraft including boat, jet ski, ski craft
2. Sailboats longer than eight feet

VESSELS THAT DO NOT REQUIRE REGISTRATION

1. Boats registered in another state and used in Delaware for less than 60 consecutive days.
2. A ship's lifeboat
3. Vessels documented by Coast Guard
4. Vessel owned by another state or state organization and used for governmental purposes
5. U.S. Military vessels or other vessels which are property of U.S. government
6. Foreign vessels that are temporarily being used in state waters

TO REGISTER IN PERSON

• You can register a boat in person by visiting Division of Fish and Wildlife (Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control) or the local Boating License Agent Office.
• You must bring a completed boat registration application and proof of ownership such as a notarized copy of bill of sale, original manufacturer's certificate of origin, or out-of-state title.

TO REGISTER BY U.S. MAIL

The boat registration application and proof of ownership can also be mailed to:

Division of Fish and Wildlife
Boat Registration
89 Kings Highway
Dover, DE 19901    

FEES

Boat registration fees vary (between $10 and $180), depending on size of the boat, the years opted (registration can be done for one or three years) and whether the applicant is a State resident or not. See the application form for a more detailed breakdown of the registration fees. In addition, vessels registered in Delaware are subject to property taxes in the county in which the vessel is stored or moored.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• Both the vessel registration number and hull identification numbers must be clearly displayed on the vessel, according to Delaware requirements.
• For additional information, see the Delaware Boating Regulations