Wisconsin Boat Registration

by Boat Alert / Last Updated: May 8, 2026 / Boat Buying

Wisconsin Boat Registration & History Report

Agency: Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR)
Phone: (888) 936-7463
Online Portal: gowild.wi.gov
Mailing Address: DNR Processing Center, PO Box 78701, Milwaukee, WI 53278-0701

Overview

Wisconsin issues both registrations and titles for qualifying boats operating within its waters. All boat registration and titling is administered by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) — not the Department of Transportation, which handles car and trailer registration. Wisconsin accounts for approximately 5% of all vessel registrations in the United States.

Which Boats Must Be Registered in Wisconsin?

Registration is required for:

• All motorized vessels used on Wisconsin waters (including those with electric trolling motors)
• Sailboats greater than 12 feet in length used on Wisconsin waters

Registration is not required for:

• Non-motorized, human-powered watercraft (canoes, kayaks, rowboats)
• Non-motorized sailboats 12 feet or less in length (without a motor)
• Sailboards
• Boats registered in another state and using Wisconsin waters for fewer than 60 consecutive days
• Boats from another country temporarily in Wisconsin
• Ships’ lifeboats
• Boats registered with a federally recognized American Indian tribe or band
• Non-recreational vessels owned by the U.S. government or military

Voluntary Registration: The DNR encourages owners of non-required boats to register voluntarily. Voluntary registration fees fund programs and services that directly benefit non-motorized boating activities.

Wisconsin Boat Titling Requirements

Wisconsin titles motorized boats and sailboats 16 feet or longer that are not documented with the U.S. Coast Guard.

Exempt from titling:

• Boats under 16 feet in length
• Voluntarily registered boats
• Boats purchased by nonresidents who intend to register in another state
• Boats exempt from registration requirements

The Certificate of Title is the legal document indicating ownership. It is a full 8.5″ × 11″ sheet of paper and is required to transfer ownership of a titled vessel.

Wisconsin Registration Numbers (WS Numbers)

Wisconsin registration numbers begin with the prefix “WS”, followed by four numbers and two letters (e.g., WS 1234 AB). These must be displayed on each side of the forward half of the boat if the vessel is not documented with the U.S. Coast Guard.

Display requirements:

• Placed on each side of the forward half of the boat
• Read from left to right
• At least 3 inches high in block letters
• Must contrast with the hull color and be clearly visible and legible
• Letters separated from numbers by a space at least 2 inches wide

Two color-coded expiration decals (matching the registration year) must also be affixed to the boat before operation.

Hull Identification Numbers (HIN)

The WS registration number is separate from the 12-character Hull Identification Number (HIN). All boats manufactured after 1972 are required to have a HIN affixed by the manufacturer. For home-built boats or those without a factory-assigned HIN, Wisconsin assigns state hull numbers prefixed with “WSZ”. Hull number inspections are generally not required in Wisconsin unless there is a discrepancy.

U.S. Coast Guard Documented Vessels

A Coast Guard documented vessel does not need to display the state registration number but must display registration decals, an owner-designated vessel name, and a hailing port. The USCG Official Documentation number must also be affixed in an interior location within the hull itself or as an integral part of the hull.

How to Register a Boat in Wisconsin

You have 7 days after purchasing a vessel to submit a title/registration application to the DNR.

Option 1: Online

Apply through the DNR’s GoWILD portal at gowild.wi.gov. This option is available for registration-only applications (i.e., vessels exempt from titling). Once submitted online, you can immediately print a 60-day temporary operating receipt.

Note: For boats 16 feet or longer requiring a title, you must still mail in the original boat title, MSO, and supporting documents to complete the transaction. Until then, the application remains in “pending” status.

Option 2: In Person

Visit any DNR Service Center with your completed application and supporting documents.

Option 3: By Mail

Mail your completed application and fees to:
DNR Processing Center, PO Box 78701, Milwaukee, WI 53278-0701

If you mail in a complete registration application, you must wait until your certificate of registration and decals arrive before legally operating your boat — except if the application was submitted on your behalf by a DNR-authorized boat dealer.

Required Documents

The documents needed depend on the boat’s history:

• New boats: Manufacturer’s Statement of Origin (MSO)
• Used, previously titled boats: Original signed Certificate of Title (properly assigned)
• Boats from a non-titling state: Registration card from that state
• Home-built boats: Copies of materials/supplies receipts
• Boats with outstanding liens: Lien release from the listed lienholder, identifying the lienholder, the owner of record, and the boat by HIN or Wisconsin registration number

Use Form 9400-193 (Boat Registration and Titling Application) for standard registration. Fleet owners with three or more boats under the same primary owner may use Form 9400-624 for a fleet registration rate.

Registration Fees

Wisconsin boat registrations are valid for 3 years, beginning April 1 of the year issued and expiring March 31 of the third year.

Sales Tax: A 5% Wisconsin state sales tax applies to the purchase price. County and city taxes may also apply depending on where the boat is kept. Effective January 1, 2024, the City of Milwaukee imposes an additional 2% sales and use tax on boats customarily kept there.

Renewing Your Boat Registration

You can renew online at gowild.wi.gov, in person at a DNR Service Center, or by mail. Renewal fees are based on boat type and length (same fee table as initial registration).

If you did not receive a renewal notice, submit a completed Form 9400-193 in its place along with the appropriate fees.

Notification requirements: Wisconsin state law requires boat owners to notify the DNR within 15 days when:

• The boat owner’s address changes
• The boat ownership is transferred
• The boat is lost, destroyed, or abandoned

Update your contact information at gowild.wi.gov or by emailing the DNR with your customer ID, name, date of birth, old and new addresses, phone number, and email address.

Boat Liens in Wisconsin

Security interests in state-titled boats are recorded with the Wisconsin DNR and appear on both registration and title certificates. The lien notation filing fee is $5.

For boats that are neither titled nor USCG documented, security interests are recorded with the Wisconsin Secretary of State as Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) filings.

For USCG documented vessels, a lender’s security interest is recorded with the National Vessel Documentation Center (NVDC) and indexed on the boat’s abstract of title. This is separate from state registration and can be researched at boat-abstract.com.

Boater Safety Requirements

Anyone born on or after January 1, 1989 must complete a DNR-approved boater safety course to operate a motorboat or personal watercraft (PWC) in Wisconsin.

Age-based operating rules:

• Under age 10: May not operate a motorboat
• Ages 10–11: May operate with direct adult supervision
• Ages 12–15: May operate with a boater safety certificate or adult supervision

Boat Trailer Registration

The Wisconsin DNR does not register or title trailers. Trailer registration and titling is handled by the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (DOT). Trailers weighing over 3,000 lbs. require both registration and titling through the DOT. Contact the WI DOT at (608) 264-7447 for more information.

Quick Reference: Key Contacts

Information based on Wisconsin DNR official sources and Wisconsin Statutes Chapter 30. Requirements and fees are subject to change. Always verify current information with the Wisconsin DNR before submitting an application.

Wisconsin boat registration FAQs are found below and can be downloaded as PDF. We have written this page to inform the boating community about registration requirements, recording methods, and title search guidelines for theState of Wisconsin.

We will cover information about the Boat Registration Agency in this state and if you are wondering about Registration and marking requirements we have an overview of that as well. We also talk about Registration Requirements for boat in Wisconsin along with things you need to know about boat Ownership and Liens so you can better perform Boat Title Searches or boat history lookups in WS.

Where are Wisconsin Boats Registered?

Remember, some states have titling for boats and others do not. Wisconsin issues both registrations and titles for all non-exempt boats operating within its jurisdiction. These are administered by the WS STATE Department of Natural Resources (DNR) in Madison. This state does not issue titles or registrations for outboard motors but note that Boat trailer registration and titling would be mandatory for those weighing over 3,000 lbs.

Did you know that boats registered in the State of Wisconsin make up 5.0% of all USA vessel registrations?

Wisconsin Boat Registration Numbers

Wisconsin boat registration numbers begin with a “WS“. The WS designation is followed by four numbers and then two letters like in most states. You will have to display these as shown above if your boat is non-documented at the USCG. Put the WS boat registration sticker tab next to it. The state reg. number should not be confused with the 12 character Hull ID (HIN).

All boats manufactured after 1972 are required to have a 12 digit hull identification number affixed to the vessel by the manufacturer. State assigned hull numbers prefixed with the letters “WSZ” are available for home made boats and those without factory designations. Hull number inspections are not required in Wisconsin unless there is a discrepancy.

Learn how to sell a boat in wisconsin?

Exceptionally, a Coast Guard documented vessel does not need to display the state registration number but instead they would display the state registration tabs, an owner designated vessel name, and a hailing port. The USCG Official documentation number must also be affixed on other location on the boat: interior location in the hull itself or an integral part of the hull.

Boat Liens Database In Wisconsin

Security interests in state titled boats are recorded with the DNR in WS. These will be shown on both the registration and title certificates if there are any. Security interests in boats that are neither titled or USCG documented are recorded with the Secretary of State as Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) filings. If the vessel is USCG documented, a lender’s security interests will be recorded with the National Vessel Documentation Center (NVDC) and are indexed on the boat’s abstract of title. This is different from state registration lookups and can be ordered at boat-abstract.com.

Tax liens may be flagged on boat registration records, recorded as UCC filings, shown on state revenue records, or filed with a county clerk’s office. There are no provisions for recording mechanic’s liens or other non-secured claims against state titled boats. Uniform Commercial Code searches are available online from the Secretary of State.

Wisconsin Boat Registration Number Search Website

Boat title and registration records in Wisconsin are maintained by the Department of Natural Resources (DNR). This agency does not facilitate online searches on their website.

Wisconsin Boat Registration Lookup

The Boat-Alert.com database combines 90+ nationwide databases into a single place so you can search in a matter of minutes. These include records for stolen boats, marine lien claims, boating accidents, pollution incidents, auctioned boats, factory recalls, and boat manufacturers.

Titling & Registration Requirements in Wisconsin

#Wisconsin

• TITLING:
  • REQUIRED: Yes EFFECTIVE DATE : 1/1/1989
  • VESSEL TYPES: Effective February 1, 1989, the owner of a boat, 16 feet in length or greater, in Wisconsin, whether or not the boat is operated on the waters of this state, is required to hold a certificate of title.
  • EXEMPTIONS: Boats exempt from Wisconsin titling requirements include: 1) Boats under 16 feet; 2) Boats voluntarily registered; 3) Boats purchased by nonresidents who intend to register the boat in another state; 4) Boats exempt from registration requirements.
  • FEES: $5.00
  • DUPLICATE FEE: $5.00
  • TRANSFER FEE: NA
• REGISTRATION:
  • VESSEL TYPES: All motorized vessels and boats used on waters of the state; including electric trolling motors, and sailboats greater than 12 feet in length used on waters of the state.
  • EXEMPTIONS: 1) Nonmotorized boats (non-sailboats); 2) Nonmotorized sailboats 12 feet in length or less; 3) Boats registered in another state and using Wisconsin waters for less than 60 consecutive days; 4) Boats operated under the authority of a temporary operating receipt, no greater than 60 days from the date of application and payment. The temporary operating receipt must be carried onboard; 5) Boats from a country other than the United States temporarily using the waters of the state; 6) A military or public boat of the United States, except recreational-type public vessels; 7) A boat whose owner is a state or subdivision of a state, which is used principally for governmental purposes, and which is clearly identifiable; 8) A ships lifeboat; 9) Boats present in this state, for a period of not to exceed 10 days, for the express purpose of competing in a race conducted under a permit from a municipality or an authorized agency of the U.S. government.
  • USCG DOCUMENTED VESSELS REQUIRED: Yes
  • NUMBER OF DAYS BEFORE REGISTRATION REQUIRED: 60 consecutive days.
  • FEES: 1) Under 16 ft. = $22; 2) 16 ft. to less than 26 ft. = $37; 3) 26 ft. to less than 40 ft. = $65; 4) 40 ft. and greater = $105
  • DUPLICATE REGISTRATION FEE: $2.50
  • DUPLICATE DECAL FEE: $2.50
  • TRANSFER FEE: $3.75 for vessels under 16 feet, voluntary registration, and USCG documented vessels; $8.75 for vessels 16 feet and over.
  • LATE FEE: No

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