Michigan boat license renewal

Pay by cash, check, money order, or with a Discover, MasterCard or Visa debit or credit card. A processing fee will be charged for credit or debit card use.

Your new watercraft registration and decal will be given to you at the counter. You may submit a change of address for your watercraft registration online through ExpressSOS, by mail, or at a Secretary of State office.

If the watercraft is not titled, simply complete the back of your watercraft registration as part of the transfer or sale. If you have lost the registration, then complete a bill of sale with the year, make, hull identification number, registration number if available , and the names and addresses of the buyer and seller.

If you need a duplicate watercraft registration, you may obtain one online through ExpressSOS or at a Secretary of State office. If the watercraft is titled, the assigned title is used to transfer ownership. Without an assigned title, a court order or surety bond is needed to transfer ownership.

If the new owner does not want a title, and the watercraft does not need a title to list a lien bank loan , the previous owner's title is surrendered when the buyer transfers the registration into their name. Any Secretary of State office can arrange to have the previous title cancelled. To transfer ownership of a watercraft documented through the U. Coast Guard, the buyer will need the assigned registration and the Coast Guard documentation papers in the new owner's name. The MI Secretary of State imposes age restrictions around operation of certain watercraft.

You can earn your boating safety certificate by completing a boater education course and passing a proficiency exam:.

In addition to making you a better boater, completing a boating safety course may also score you discounts on boat insurance. Even if you're not required to take a course, enrolling in one will benefit your boating skills AND wallet. The only exemptions are: Vessels 16 ft. Rafts, surfboards, sailboards, and swim floats all sizes. Canoes and kayaks that don't have a motor AND aren't used for rental or commercial purposes.

Watercraft currently registered in another state being used in Michigan on a temporary basis. Boats with permanent motors. If you purchased a previously-owned vessel, submit: The boat's most current registration. The vessel's title , transferred in your name if the boat was previously titled. Proof of Michigan use tax paid , like a sales receipt.

Boating education consists of learning important information about safety standards and boating techniques in Michigan. Depending on your county of residence, you may either enroll in an online boating course or a classroom course.

There are many topics that are covered in the course, and although the specifics may vary depending on the program you choose, you will typically learn about:. Therefore, these credentials do not need to be renewed. Once you have obtained this certificate, make sure that you keep it on board.

If you need to replace your certificate because it got lost or damaged, contact the program that provided you with the card and follow the instructions that they provide. All watercraft, unless specifically exempt, must be registered in Michigan and display valid boat registration stickers. Moreover, hand-powered propelled by oars or paddles watercraft over 16 feet must also be registered. On the other hand, watercraft that are exempt from registration include vessels that are 16 feet or shorter and hand-powered, non-motorized canoes and kayaks.

Nonetheless, watercraft registered in another state may be temporarily used in MI without needing a state-issued registration. A three-year watercraft registration will be issued upon completion of an application form and payment of the applicable fees. Generally, these fees will vary depending on the type of watercraft and its length.

Once the registration expires, a renewal must be completed either online, in person or by mail. You must abide by certain boating regulations in Michigan in order to operate a motorboat or personal watercraft.