How to register a boat in North Dakota
Register within 15 days of purchase
A new owner has 15 days to register a motorized watercraft. The preferred route is online through the Game and Fish licensing portal (My Account → Register New Watercraft); you can also mail in the documentation. A 10-day temporary permit covers you while the registration and decals are processed and delivered.
Provide proof of ownership
For a dealer purchase bring the Manufacturer's Certificate of Origin; for an out-of-state purchase bring the original out-of-state title; for a private sale provide proof of the prior title or registration plus a signed, detailed bill of sale. Include sales/use tax documentation where applicable.
Pay the registration fee and ANS fee
The registration fee is set by length class, and every motorized watercraft also pays a $15 aquatic-nuisance-species (ANS) fee that runs concurrently with the three-year registration. Fees are prorated within the triennial period for boats registered mid-cycle.
Display your ND number and decal
You receive a North Dakota number in the format ND-1234-AB, which stays with the boat through ownership changes. Paint or affix it to each side of the forward half of the hull near the bow in vertical block letters at least 3 inches high in a contrasting color, with the validation decal within 6 inches of the number toward the rear.
North Dakota registration fees
North Dakota sets the registration fee by length class — it is not a single flat fee — and every motorized watercraft also pays a $15 aquatic-nuisance-species (ANS) fee. The figures below are for the current 2026–2028 triennial cycle. Fees are prorated for boats registered mid-cycle.
| Class | Vessel length | Base fee |
|---|---|---|
| Under 16 ft / motorized canoe | Less than 16 ft, and any motor-powered canoe | $30.00 |
| 16 to 20 ft | 16 ft to less than 20 ft (excluding canoes) | $45.00 |
| 20 ft and over | 20 ft or over (excluding canoes) | $60.00 |
Three-year (2026–2028) registration fees, plus a $15 ANS fee on every motorized watercraft. Fees are prorated within the triennial period. Confirm current amounts at gf.nd.gov.
Titling in North Dakota
North Dakota does not title watercraft. There is no state boat title, and motors and trailers are not titled or registered either. Ownership is proven and tracked through the registration record and the paperwork you present to register — a signed, detailed bill of sale together with the prior registration or an out-of-state title. Because there is no title to sign over, keeping a clean chain of bills of sale is how a North Dakota owner documents ownership.
A federally documented vessel is outside North Dakota's numbering system entirely: the state's definition of a motorboat excludes a vessel holding a valid U.S. Coast Guard marine document, so a documented boat is not required to carry a North Dakota number. This is the interaction explained in state registration vs USCG documentation. Note, though, that a documented motorized boat using North Dakota waters still owes the $15 aquatic-nuisance-species obligation like other motorized craft.
HIN requirements
Watercraft manufactured after November 1, 1972 must carry a 12-character Hull Identification Number (HIN), located at the top-right corner of the transom with a duplicate at a hidden interior location. Out-of-state boats keep their existing HIN — only the North Dakota number is newly assigned.
If a HIN cannot be located — on a homemade boat or one whose number has been lost — North Dakota assigns a state-issued HIN at the time of online registration or renewal. A photo of the assigned HIN permanently affixed to the transom is required before the application is approved.
Decode any existing hull number first with the HIN decoder to confirm the manufacturer and model year match your paperwork before you register.
Renewal
North Dakota registrations run on a three-year cycle and the entire state shares the same block — the current period runs January 1, 2026 through December 31, 2028, and all registrations expire December 31 of the third year rather than on a rolling purchase anniversary. Boats registered mid-cycle are prorated to that common expiration date. There is no published grace period; a 10-day temporary permit covers new-registration processing.
Exemptions
Non-motorized craft — canoes, kayaks, paddleboards, and non-powered sailboats — are not required to register, though many owners register them voluntarily to make out-of-state trips easier or to document ownership. Federally documented vessels are excluded from the North Dakota number requirement. A boat legally numbered in another state may be used on North Dakota waters for 90 days before North Dakota registration is required.
Adding any motor, including an electric trolling motor, makes a craft registrable. Motorized visitors still owe the $15 aquatic-nuisance-species fee.
Frequently asked questions
Does North Dakota title boats?
No. North Dakota does not title watercraft — and it does not title or register motors or trailers either. Ownership is tracked through the registration record, so instead of a title you rely on a signed, detailed bill of sale plus the prior registration or an out-of-state title.
Do I need to register a boat with only an electric trolling motor?
Yes. Any watercraft propelled by a motor of any kind must be registered, and that explicitly includes electric trolling motors. A canoe or kayak with no motor is exempt, but the moment you add a trolling motor it must be registered.
Do I have to register my canoe or kayak in North Dakota?
Not if it is non-powered. Canoes, kayaks, paddleboards, and non-powered sailboats are exempt. Many owners still register them voluntarily to simplify trips to other states or to have ownership documentation, but it is not required.
When does my North Dakota boat registration expire?
On December 31 of the third year of the current cycle — the whole state is on the same 2026–2028 block, expiring December 31, 2028, not on your purchase anniversary. Boats registered mid-cycle are prorated to that shared expiration date.
My boat has no HIN — what do I do?
North Dakota assigns a state-issued HIN when you register or renew online. You then permanently affix the assigned number to the transom and submit a photo of it before the application is approved.
Primary sources
Last verified .
- ND Game and Fish — Watercraft registration (retrieved 2026-07-16)
- ND Game and Fish — Boat registration FAQ (retrieved 2026-07-16)
- ND Game and Fish — Boating regulations (HIN, display, documents) (retrieved 2026-07-16)
Independent reference tool — not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by the U.S. Coast Guard or the National Maritime Center. Vessel data is derived from public USCG sources and may lag official records; always verify with the issuing authority.
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