Boat registration and hull identification numbers

Learn how to display your boat's registration number and hull identification number (HIN).

Boat registration numbers

Vessel registration and display

Vessel owners must display registration numbers and decals on the vessel’s bow.

Vessel registration numbers must be visible from the outside of the vessel. You may paint or permanently attach the number directly to the vessel or use a backing plate if you have a rubber boat or your boat is not built so the numbers would be otherwise visible.

Registration numbers remain with the vessel permanently.

Documented vessels

Federal regulations prohibit the display of the WN registration number on vessels documented with the U.S. Coast Guard. You also must meet all Washington State registration requirements. Display state registration decals on the forward half of the vessel so they are easily visible for law enforcement.

Tenders

A vessel’s tender (dingy, small boat, or inflatable) is used exclusively for transportation from the documented or registered parent vessel to and from shore. The tender is a separate vessel and must be properly numbered and registered except when both of the following apply:

  • If the motor is less than 10 horsepower, and
  • If the tender is properly identified with the parent vessel’s registration numbers followed by the number “1” displayed on both sides of the bow. (Example: WN 1234 ZZ 1 or WN-1234-ZZ-1)
info

Registration number and decal requirements

Registration numbers and letters must:

  • Have a hyphen or equivalent space between the three segments of the number.
  • Be BLOCK style.
  • Be painted or attached to both sides of the bow.
  • Be at least 3 inches high.
  • Contrast with the color of the background.
  • Be distinctly visible.
  • Always read from left to right.

Decals must:

  • Be within 6 inches of the registration number.
  • Be placed on both sides of the bow.
  • Be aft of and directly in line with the registration number

Hull identification numbers (HIN)

Two identical hull identification numbers are required to be displayed on each boat hull. The characters of each HIN must be no less than 1/4 inch high.

Each HIN must be permanently affixed to the boat so that alteration, removal, or replacement would be obvious. If the number is on a separate plate, you must fasten the plate in such a manner that its removal would normally cause some scarring of or damage to the surrounding hull area. An HIN must not be attached to parts of the boat that are removable.

Methods of permanently affixing your HIN include, but are not limited to:

  • Carving.
  • Burning.
  • Stamping.
  • Embossing.
  • Molding.
  • Bonding.

Primary hull identification number

The primary HIN must be affixed as follows:

  • On boats with transoms, to the starboard outboard side of the transom within two inches of the top of the transom, gunwale, or hull or deck joint, whichever is lowest.
  • On boats without transoms or on boats on which it would be impractical to use the transom, to the starboard outboard side of the hull, aft, within one foot of the stern and within two inches of the top of the hull side, gunwale or hull or deck joint, whichever is lowest.
  • On catamarans and pontoon boats which have readily replaceable hulls, to the aft crossbeam within one foot of the starboard hull attachment.
  • If the hull identification number would not be visible, because of rails, fittings, or other accessories, you must affix the number as near as possible to the location specified in the illustration below.

Duplicate hull identification number

You must affix the duplicate HIN in an unexposed location on the interior of the boat or beneath a fitting or item of hardware.

  • Do not remove, cover up or otherwise deface/obliterate the original HIN from the vessel hull.
  • Mold or affix the new HIN above, below, or next to the original HIN.
Was this information helpful?