Registering a boat in Montana involves checking whether your vessel requires registration, gathering the required ownership information, and completing the process through your County Treasurer’s Office. Montana permanently registers qualifying boats, including motorboats, personal watercraft, and sailboats that meet the state’s size requirements. Understanding boat registration in Montana helps you prepare the right documents, complete each required step, and display your registration number and permanent decal correctly.
Check If Your Boat Needs Registration
Montana requires motorboats and personal watercraft to be registered and numbered. Sailboats measuring 12 feet or longer also require registration. Manually propelled boats and non-motorized sailboats under 12 feet are among the exempt vessels. Government-owned boats and a vessel’s lifeboat also qualify for exemptions.
Gather the Required Documents
The documents you need depend on how you acquired the boat and its previous registration status. Preparing the applicable information before visiting the County Treasurer can make the process easier.
Common documents and details include:
- Proof of Ownership: Bring an applicable title or other accepted evidence of ownership.
- Vessel Information: Have the hull identification number, boat length, make, and other identifying details available.
- Previous Records: Provide a previous title or registration when required for your transaction.
- Application Information: Supply the details requested by the County Treasurer for title and registration.
Having the applicable paperwork ready can help your application move smoothly.
Complete the Boat Registration Process
Montana residents generally register their boats through the County Treasurer in their county of residence. The process for boat registration in Montana includes a few practical steps.
They are:
- Prepare Your Documents: Gather the applicable ownership records and vessel information.
- Apply for Registration: Submit the information needed for the applicable title and certificate of number.
- Provide Supporting Documents: Give the County Treasurer the required ownership and vessel records.
- Pay Applicable Fees: Pay the registration fees assessed for your vessel based on the relevant watercraft length category.
- Receive Your Registration: Collect the applicable registration documents and permanent registration decal after processing.
Following these steps provides the registration information for your vessel.
Display Your Registration Number and Decal
After registration, display the assigned number and permanent decal according to Montana requirements.
Key requirements include:
- Registration Number: Display it on both sides of the forward half of the boat.
- Letter Size: Use vertical block characters at least three inches high.
- Visibility: Use characters that contrast clearly with the background.
- Permanent Decal: Place it on the port, or left, side, three inches aft of and directly in line with the registration number.
Correct placement makes your registration details clearly visible.
Keep Your Boat Registration Current
Montana permanently registers qualifying boats while ownership remains unchanged. Notify your County Treasurer about an address change or when the vessel is sold, destroyed, abandoned, or stolen. This keeps state ownership and vessel records accurate. Keeping your registration details updated also ensures the official record reflects the vessel’s current status.
Conclusion
Registering your boat in Montana starts with confirming that your vessel meets the state’s registration requirements. From there, gather the applicable ownership documents and vessel details, complete the process through your County Treasurer, pay the required fees, and display your registration number and permanent decal correctly. Keeping your ownership and address information current with the County Treasurer helps ensure that state records continue to reflect your boat’s current status.
