Almost all boats operating on Rhode Island waters must be registered with the Department of Environmental Management (DEM). A buyer must register the boat with the DEM within 15 days of purchase. Boat registrations last two years and may be renewed online.

Visitors from outside the state may operate a vessel for up to 60 consecutive days without Rhode Island registration. Non-motorized boats vessels under 12 feet in length and houseboats do not need to be registered.

Boat registration will be processed by the Department of Environmental Management’s Providence office. Materials may be mailed to the address on the registration application.

• A Boat Registration Application
• An Outboard Motor Registration Application
• A Bill of Sale (Note: If the boat is purchased from a dealer, the buyer must use the form provided by the dealer)
• A pencil tracing of the Hull Identification Number (HIN) conforming with U.S. Coast Guard guidelines
• If the boat was purchased from a dealer: a manufacturer’s statement of origin, and an Application for Initial Vessel Certificate of Title
• If the boat was purchased with existing title: the most recent title certificate signed over to the buyer, and if previously titled in a different state, the most recent registration statement from that state
• Proof of payment of all registration fees per the fee schedule. There is no sales tax due on boats in Rhode Island purchased after 1993.