How to Register a Boat

The North Dakota Game and Fish Department oversees the mandate that requires all motorized watercraft to be formally registered with the state. Boats that hold exceptions to the directive to register are as follows:

• Lifeboats to be used solely for emergency purposes.
• Federal or State-owned vessels.
• Vessels registered in an alternate state or country to be put to use on North Dakota waterways for a time period of less than 90 consecutive days.

To then obtain registration for your vessel via mail or in person at your nearest local North Dakota Game and Fish Department location, appear with the following assembled items:

• A filled-out North Dakota Watercraft Registration Form (Form SFN 6102).
• Evidence of ownership:
  • If the vessel is purchased new from a dealer:
    • A copy of the bill of sale.
    • A copy of the sales receipt to include proof of paid sales tax.
    • A completed North Dakota Office of State Tax Commissioner One Time Remittance Form (Form 21954) if no tax was paid on the vessel at the time of sale.
  • If the vessel is purchased used from a private party:
    • A copy or photograph of the previous registration and/or reassigned title.
    • A letter conveying a transfer of the vessel signed by the prior owner.
• A valid photo identification card.
• An acceptable payment method for all registration taxes and fees (statement of expenses can be viewed on the registration form).

To mail in your application, finalize the above documents with acceptable postage to be sent to:

North Dakota Game and Fish Department
Watercraft Registrations
100 N. Bismarck Expressway
Bismarck, ND 58501

Once you have sent in the required paperwork, allow 5-10 business days for your registration and decals to arrive. Additionally, you can apply for your temporary registration permit while your registration is being processed, it will permit you a full ten days of use until your registration arrives.