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Q: What vessels are required to have a registration?
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A: If it's used on Ohio State waters, it needs
to be registered... Yes, even pedalboats, canoes, kayaks, and inflatable rafts with oars. (Paddleboards, sailboards, and kiteboards are exempt.) Owners of homemade vessels must apply for a serial # before obtaining
a registration. If you need to find the serial #, it's usually a 12-digit number (except on very old vessels) on or near the transom (rear). Small toy rafts that do not have a serial # do not need to be registered.
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Q: If my vessel's registration is already in my name, and my decal
is
expired, what do I need to do?
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A: The quickest way to get your decals is to bring
us your previous registration or the ODNR's renewal form. If the registration has missing or incorrect information, bring your title so we can make corrections. If you start your registration process online or
through the mail with the ODNR, you must wait for your decals to be issued by them. We cannot issue decals for you after you have started that process with the State.
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| Q: If I bought a new watercraft never registered before, what do I
need?
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A: Vessels not requiring a title need a Certificate
of Origin (COO), Manufacturer's Statement of Origin (MSO), Dealer Invoice, or Notarized Bill of Sale, showing the same information as a title. For titled vessels, the title is required, or a bank copy if there is a lien.
Vessels must be registered before using them on Ohio waters. (If you have dealer paperwork with all of the information required by the State, that paperwork can be used as a temporary up to 45 days, to give you time to get the
title or bank copy.)
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Q: If I bought a used watercraft, what do I need to get a registration
in my name?
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A: The same paperwork is required as a new vessel,
except you also bring the previous registration, and we transfer the OH# to you instead of assigning a new one (the OH# stays with the vessel, not with the person). If it's not from Ohio and no title is required, bring the
out-of-state paperwork, and we assign the vessel an OH#. If the vessel requires a title, transfer it at the Title Bureau first, then bring the new title to us, and we'll transfer the Ohio registration to you, or assign an
OH# if it was previously from out-of-state.
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| Q: If the decal isn't expired, do I just wait to transfer the registration?
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A: NO... The registration should
be transferred to you immediately. The fee is only $5 for unexpired transfers, and the ODNR & other agencies often rely on the OH# to identify the vessel's owner(s), for example, if it has been stolen and recovered.
And if the vessel is not required to have a title, the person whose name is on the registration is the owner until you transfer it.
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Q: What if I don't have the mail-in renewal form or the previous
registration showing the OH#?
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A: If you can't obtain any previous copies,
bring your title or other proof of ownership (type of proof will depend on size and type of watercraft), and get the 8-digit OH# from the hull. Depending on how busy our store is, we can check the information while
you wait, and you can leave with your registration and decals. If you don't know your OH#, we can't find it with your social security number like the BMV can do for car tags. So please don't show up with no information
and expect us to be able to issue your registration.
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| Q: What if I lost my current registration and/or decals?
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A: The ODNR can issue duplicates for unexpired
registrations and/or decals. We have the duplicate request forms here, but agents cannot issue duplicates. You can mail the form and fee to Columbus, or visit one of the ODNR District Field Offices.
The closest offices to this area are Sandusky and Cleveland.
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| Q: What if my vessel is documented?
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A: Agents cannot issue, renew or transfer registrations
for documented vessels.
The ODNR Columbus Headquarters & District Field Offices issue these. If you purchase a documented vessel and you want to get an OH#, along with the title, you also will need to bring the paperwork verifying the vessel is no longer documented, and we can issue the registration and decals.
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| Q: What is the difference between WROS and TOD?
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A: If WROS (with rights of survivorship) appears on the title, it means all of the names listed on the title are owners, with entire interest
going to the surviving owner(s) upon death. All owner names are listed on the registration. If TOD (transfer on death) appears on the title, the beneficiary is not listed on the registration, because
they are not an owner. Ownership is transferred to this beneficiary upon the death of the owner (if the vessel is titled, the title must be transferred before the registration can be transferred).
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| Q: When is the best time to get my registration?
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A: Avoid peak retail days and times. Registrations usually take 5-10 minutes (sometimes less). But if there are others ahead of
you, there may be a longer wait. If you're local, please allow Saturdays & Sundays for weekenders and stop in during the week. If you're a weekender, try not to wait until the day you'll be venturing out. Plan
ahead. Holiday weekends, and the days leading up to them, usually have much longer wait times.
Please keep in mind that we offer registration & notary services as a local convenience to our customers. We try to accommodate everyone's needs, but on peak days & during peak hours, the store's retail customers needing our attention take priority over registration & notary services.
If we haven't covered your situation, see the flow chart below. If you still need help, click "contact us" or
call us with your questions.
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