How to Register a Boat

To adequately meet the requirements set forth by the state of New Hampshire, any boat propelled by a motor or sail to be utilized in inland or coastal waters must be legally registered with state authorities. Exceptions to this particular regulation include:

• Vessels registered in another state that will be employed for a period of no longer than 30 days.
• Designated lifeboats.
• Sailboats that measure less than 12 feet in length.
• Federally or state-owned vessels.

To register a watercraft, you can elect to mail in the required information or gather the following documentation to hand-deliver at your nearest New Hampshire DMV facility:

• A filled and endorsed New Hampshire Boat Registration Application (Form DSMV 157A).
• A completed bill of sale form.
• Evidence of active boat owner’s insurance.
• If your vessel does not have a noted hull identification number, a finalized New Hampshire Verification of Vessel Identification will be required.
  • If your vessel does not have a registered hull identification number listed on its hull, you may need to arrange to have one issued once the boat undergoes a state inspection with the local police department. Once the review is complete, you will be supplied with a signed form to present for registration.
• A valid photo ID.
• Acceptable payment for registration fees and taxes.

If you choose to mail in your materials, seal the paperwork in an envelope with sufficient postage to send to:

New Hampshire Department of Safety
DMV Boat Registrations
23 Hazen Drive
Concord, NH 03305