What Vessels Must Be Registered?
In North Carolina, most boats need to be registered. This includes:
- All motorized vessels, including personal watercraft (PWCs), used on public waters
- Sailboats over 14 feet, measured at the load waterline
- Boats from another state that stay in North Carolina more than 90 consecutive days
Vessels That Do Not Need to Be Registered
Some boats are exempt from registration, including:
- Boats kept on dry land and not used
- Rowboats, canoes, and rafts powered only by paddles, oars, or the current
- Boats used only on private ponds
- Lifeboats or dinghies used strictly for emergency life-saving
How to Register Your Boat
You can register your vessel through the NC Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) website or by contacting their main office in Raleigh. Once they receive your paperwork and fees, you’ll be issued:
- A registration card
- A registration number
- A registration decal
The registration card must always be on board your boat or PWC and must be easy to show to law enforcement.
Registration is valid for 1 year or 3 years, depending on what you choose.
Displaying Your Registration Numbers
To stay compliant:
- Put your registration number (starting with NC) on both sides of the forward half of your boat
- Use letters and numbers at least 3 inches tall
- Make sure they’re black or another color that clearly contrasts with your boat’s hull
- Place the registration decal on the starboard (right) side, within 6 inches of the registration number and in line with it