Boat Registration In Minnesota: Card Or No Card?

Minnesota is known as the land of 10,000 lakes, but it actually has 14,380 lakes. With so much water access, it's no surprise that the state leads the nation in registered boats per capita. If you're considering buying a boat in Minnesota, you'll need to register it with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR). The DNR requires the registration of all motorized watercraft and any non-motorized vessel over 10 feet in length. Boat registrations are valid for three calendar years and cost $8.50, plus an aquatic invasive species surcharge of $10.60. To register your boat, you'll need to provide information such as its length, manufacturer, type of hull material, type of propulsion, model, year, and serial identification number. You can register your boat in person or by mail, and you'll receive a registration card and decals.

Registration procedures

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) manages the registration and titling of boats in the state. The DNR requires all motorized watercraft and non-motorized vessels more than 10 ft. in length to be registered. The following types of watercraft are exempt from registration:

• Non-motorized watercraft 10 ft. in length or less.
• Boats registered in another state and operated in Minnesota for no more than 90 consecutive days.
• Boats documented with the United States Coast Guard.
• Boats owned and operated by the government.
• Waterfowl boats used only during waterfowl hunting season.
• Rice boats used only during harvest season.

To register a new watercraft, visit a deputy registrar of motor vehicles office that can complete DNR registrations or the DNR License Center at 500 Lafayette Road in St. Paul. If your new boat is longer than 16 ft., your dealer will apply for the title and registration on your behalf and provide you with the license materials.

When registering for the first time, you will need to know the length, manufacturer, type of hull material, type of propulsion, model, year, serial or hull identification number (HIN), and have a sales receipt showing that sales tax has been paid. The length of the boat is measured as a straight-line distance from the foremost part of the boat (bow) to the rearmost part (stern), excluding attachments such as bowsprits and outboard motor brackets.

Boat registrations are valid for three calendar years. To renew your watercraft registration, you can do so in person at any deputy registrar of motor vehicles office or at the DNR License Bureau in St. Paul. Alternatively, you can renew online using the online licensing system.

If you are not the registered owner, another person may renew on your behalf if they have the DNR-generated renewal notice or provide a Consent to Renew Registration form or proof of Power of Attorney. Duplicate registration cards are available at a deputy registrar of motor vehicles office.

If you are transferring ownership of a boat, there are different procedures depending on whether the boat is titled in Minnesota, registered and titled in another state, never registered before, or registered but not titled in Minnesota. In all cases, you will need to submit the appropriate documentation and fees to a deputy registrar office or by mail to the Minnesota DNR.

For boats titled in Minnesota, the seller must sign the front of the title, and the buyer must complete and sign the back. A transfer fee of $17.00 applies. For boats registered and titled in another state, you will need the original signed Certificate of Title or a registration card and bill of sale if the boat is from a state that does not title boats.

For boats that have never been registered before, submit the original Manufacturer's Statement of Origin (MSO) or, for home-built boats, copies of materials and supply receipts, four photos of the finished product, and a completed Statement of Facts. If there are liens identified on the Certificate of Title, include a lien release from the lienholder to transfer ownership.

For Minnesota-registered non-titled boats, provide a bill of sale listing the year, make, Hull ID Number, seller's printed name, and signature, along with a completed Universal Registration Form.

Exemptions

The following types of watercraft are exempt from registration with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR):

• Non-motorized watercraft 10 feet in length or less.
• Vessels currently registered in another state and used in Minnesota for no more than 90 consecutive days.
• Boats from another country kept in Minnesota for no more than 90 consecutive days.
• Boats documented with the United States Coast Guard.
• U.S. government-owned vessels (except those used for recreational purposes).
• Duck boats used during duck hunting season.
• Rice boats used during the harvest season.
• Boats manufactured before August 1st, 1979.
• Boats used solely for testing purposes by a manufacturer.
• Boats owned by a licensed resort or recreational area.
• Rowing shells or sculls.
• Watercraft owned by an entity of the U.S. government, including federal, state, and local government.
• Waterfowl boats used only during waterfowl hunting season.

First-time registration

To register your boat for the first time in Minnesota, you will need to follow a few steps. First, you must determine whether your boat requires registration. Minnesota requires residents to register all motorized vessels and any non-motorized vessel over 10 feet in length.

If your boat falls into one of the following categories, it is exempt from registration:

• Non-motorized watercraft 10 feet in length or less.
• Boats that are currently registered with another state and will only be operated on Minnesota waters for up to 90 consecutive days.
• Boats documented with the United States Coast Guard.
• Boats owned and operated by the government.
• Waterfowl boats that will only be used during waterfowl hunting season.
• Rice boats used during harvest season.

If your boat does require registration, you can register it in person or by mail. If registering in person, visit a deputy registrar of motor vehicles office that can complete DNR registrations. If registering by mail, send your paperwork to:

> Minnesota DNR

> Box 26 - Watercraft

> 500 Lafayette Rd.

> St. Paul, MN 55155-4026

Regardless of whether you register in person or by mail, you will need to complete the following steps:

• Fill out a Watercraft Title and Registration Application or Form LB014.
• Gather proof of ownership documents, which differ for new and used vessels. For used vessels, provide the boat's current certificate of registration as well as the title with signatures from every previous owner. For new vessels, provide the manufacturer's statement of origin.
• Obtain a sales receipt to show that you have paid sales tax on your purchase.
• Provide payment for registration fees.

One benefit of applying in person is that you will receive your registration card and decals immediately, whereas if you apply by mail, you will have to wait several weeks for your card and decals to arrive.

Renewal

Boat registrations in Minnesota are valid for three calendar years. You will receive an official notice from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) when it is time for you to renew.

Renewing your boat registration is a more straightforward process than registering for the first time. You are encouraged to renew your boat registration online at the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources website. You can also renew in person at any Minnesota DVS office or at the Department of Natural Resources' license center. If you are not the registered owner, another person may renew for you only if they have the DNR-generated renewal notice or if they provide a Consent to Renew Registration form or show proof of being the Power of Attorney.

To renew your registration, you will need to provide information about your boat and pay the appropriate renewal fees. The fees for registration renewal are the same as when you first registered, except that the issuing fee is $6 for renewal instead of $8.50.

If you renew online, you will receive a temporary permit/confirmation page to print out for immediate use. You may also write down your temporary authorization number from your confirmation page. Your registration card and expiration decals will then be mailed to you.

Duplicate registration

If your boat registration card or title is lost or destroyed, you can request a duplicate. To do this, you will need to know your vessel's registration number, hull identification number (HIN), and its physical description. You will also need to pay the necessary registration replacement fees. You can obtain a duplicate registration card and/or decal by submitting the required information and fees in person at a DNR licensing agent's office or at the DNR's licensing center.

To apply for a replacement vessel title, you will need to mail a completed Application for Duplicate Watercraft Title (REV 2014) form and the applicable duplicate title fees to the address on the form.

Frequently asked questions