Registration

Iowa residents using their vessels on public water must register their vessel with the Iowa DNR. Vessels registered in Iowa must display current registration decals and the Iowa issued registration number provided by the county recorder. Nonresidents can use their vessels on public water up to 60 nonconsecutive days if their vessel displays registration from another state.  

In addition, the operator must carry the registration certificate on board. A vessel hard card can also be purchased and carried on board in lieu of the registration certificate. Vessel hard cards can be purchased from any county recorder office in Iowa. Registrations are renewed every three years.

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Expirations & Renewals

Vessel registrations expire April 30, 2025. If your boat registration is expired you are prohibited from using your boat on public water in Iowa. A penalty fee of $5.00 will be assessed July 1, 2025 for any boat registrations that have not been renewed. 

The initial transfer of your boat into your name must be processed with the county recorder in the county where you reside. If you are a nonresident, you should register in the county where your boat will be used most frequently. Registration renewals can be processed with any county recorder office in Iowa.

Registration Information

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How to Register Your Boat

  1. To register your boat or vessel, you'll need:
    1. Proof of Ownership/Bill of Sale
    2. Title (if applicable)
    3. Registration
    4. Application for Boats, Snowmobiles, ATVs and ORVs (Form #542-8067)
    5. Solicitud de registro de embarcaciones, motos de nieve y vehículos todo terreno de Iowa (Form #542-8067spl)
  2. Send your registration to the county recorder in the county where you reside. You can renew your registration after it is transferred into your name with any county recorder office in Iowa. Find your Iowa county recorder.
  3. If you cannot get the proper paperwork for your vessel, visit our vehicle or vessel bonding page for complete instructions and how to contact the DNR to start the bonding process.
  4. Display your registration clearly on your vessel:
    1. The registration number must be painted, applied as a decal, or otherwise affixed to the forward half of each side of the vessel, placed for maximum visibility.
    2. The registration number must be at least 3 inches high: bold, and BLOCK.  
    3. No other numbers may be displayed on either side of the bow.
    4. Number must read from left to right on both sides of the vessel.
    5. Number color must contrast with the background.
    6. Letters must be separated from the numbers by a space or hyphen: IA 3717 ZW or IA-3717-ZW
    7. Decals must be affixed on each side of the vessel, toward the stern of registration number, 4 inches from and in line with the number.
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Off-season Storing

If you need to store your vessel in the off-season, or winter:

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Become a Boat Dealer

Want to become a boat dealer in Iowa? Learn more about registration and requirements for boat sales.

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