Arkansas Boat Registration

Arkansas titles boats, but only newer ones. Under Act 733 of 2019, boats manufactured in model year 2020 and later must be titled through the DFA Office of Motor Vehicle — this is mandatory, not optional. Boats built before 2020 are registered only; a title is not issued for them, even on request. Every boat propelled by a motor or sail still needs a Certificate of Number (registration) regardless of whether it is titled.

Federally documented vessels are listed by DFA as an exception to state registration — the USCG Certificate of Documentation is the ownership record. Note, though, that federal documentation does not relieve the owner of Arkansas personal-property-tax assessment on the boat. The relationship between the two systems is explained in state registration vs USCG documentation.

Since January 1, 2017, Arkansas requires hull identification number (HIN) verification on both new registrations and renewals, to comply with federal Coast Guard rules — the state found that a large share of registered boats had missing or incorrect HINs. Acceptable verification is a legible pencil rubbing or a legible printed photograph of the HIN, and DFA provides an online Boat HIN Verification tool through MyDMV.

Hull-number inspections are not required in Arkansas unless there is a discrepancy. For a homemade boat, or one with no factory HIN, a state-assigned hull number prefixed "ARZ" is issued — the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission assigns it after you provide proof of construction (material invoices and photographs of the build).

Before you register, decode any existing hull number with the HIN decoder to confirm the manufacturer and model year match your ownership paperwork.

Arkansas boat registration is valid for three years — the Certificate of Number is a triennial document. Renew by mail (send the required items with payment to the DFA at least 15 days before the expiration date) or in person at any state revenue office; the renewal fee matches the initial fee for the boat's length class. Expiration runs three years from issuance; no formal grace period is published, so renew before the boat is operated on an expired registration.

Vessels not propelled by an engine or a sail — canoes, kayaks, paddleboards, and non-motor rowboats — are exempt from registration. A boat properly registered in another state may use Arkansas waters for up to 90 consecutive days without Arkansas registration. Federally documented vessels are exempt from state registration, though the owner still owes personal-property tax on the boat.