Boating Registration Frequently Asked Questions

All motorboats must be registered in Arizona regardless of their size, construction, or type and size of motor. This includes, for example, inflatable rafts, sailboats and canoes with motors (including electric motors). Exceptions to the registration requirement include watercraft used solely as lifeboats and those documented by the U. S. Coast Guard.

If the boat is new, you need four things:

• A completed application (provided by the Game and Fish Department) for Arizona watercraft certificate of number;
• A bill of sale with the name of buyer and seller, hull ID number, length, manufacturer, purchase price and sales tax paid;
• Manufacturer’s statement of origin; and
• Proper registration fees.

If the boat is used and previously registered in Arizona you will need the following:

• A bill of sale with the name of buyer and seller, signature of seller, hull ID number, length, manufacturer, and purchase price. A bill of sale showing sales tax paid is required in addition to the registration if the boat was purchased from a watercraft dealer.
• A completed application form 1532 provided by the Department.
• Proper registration fees, and transfer fee.
• No penalty fee will apply.

If the boat is used and previously registered or titled in another state, you will need the following:

• Original title (if coming from a title state) or original registration (if coming from a registration state), which is signed off by the previous owner(s).
• If purchased by a watercraft dealer, bill of sale signed by an authorized representative showing sales tax paid in addition to the title or registration.
• A completed application form.
• Proper registration fees.

**Note: Please call the Department for any transaction not covered in this section and to verify the correct fees.

There are three joint ownership designations.

1. AND/OR The use of “and/or” requires the signatures of both parties if both are living. Upon legal proof of the death of either party, the Department shall transfer registration upon the signature of the living party.
2. AND The use of “and” requires the signatures of both parties. In the event of the death of either party, the interest of the deceased party shall be handled through probate proceedings.
3. OR The use of “or” shall express to the Department the intent that either of the owners have full authority to transfer registration of the watercraft.

If selling a watercraft that is homemade you are required to have a homemade boat bill of sale and a surveyor validation attached. All watercraft registered in Arizona or coming in from out of state that are registered or titled, will be required to comply with Federal regulations prior to the sale. A homemade boat bill sale is listed in the website watercraft forms section. 

Important Information regarding guidelines and surveyors.

If you need further assistance contact our main office or regional offices. 

All new watercraft registrations issued are valid for 12 months. The second year of registration will be for 7-18 months (fees are pro-rated appropriately) to fit into the “staggered registration system” wherein the expiration date is determined by the last two digits of the “AZ” number.

Transactions through the mail may take up to 30 days. For your convenience, renewal notices are sent via email six weeks prior to the expiration. The registered owner can then achieve renewal through the mail by promptly sending a copy of the printed email and proper fees to the Watercraft Registration Section, which in turn will mail the owner the certificate and decals. If you prefer, registered owners can also visit the online renewal site or complete registration by coming to a Department office.

Nonresident watercraft may operate in Arizona for a period of 90 days without Arizona registration, provided it is in compliance with the numbering system of the U.S. Coast Guard or their home state. If the watercraft continues to operate on Arizona waters, it must be registered with the Department before the 90-day period ends.

A hull identification number (or HIN) means a number assigned to specific watercraft by the manufacturer or by a government jurisdiction as prescribed by the U.S. Coast Guard. It is similar to a car’s vehicle identification number. All watercraft manufactured after August 1972 are required by federal law to have a 12-digit HIN. Your watercraft will require inspection if it is homemade or newer than the 1972 and does not have a conforming HIN.

The AZ number shall be painted on or attached to each side of the forward half of your watercraft. It shall read from left to right, be in block letters not less than three inches high, and be of a color that contrasts with the color of the hull. It shall be the only number on the forward half of your boat and should be clearly visible from 100 feet away during daylight hours. The letters AZ and the suffix shall be separated from the numerals by a hyphen or equivalent space.

The decals shall be affixed 3 inches in front of the AZ on both sides of the forward half of the watercraft. See the example below.