Boat registration payment decal now required to navigate Granite State waterways

CONCORD — Granite State boaters are now required to display a new decal indicating payment rendered to navigate the state’s waters. 

Starting Jan. 1, all New Hampshire boaters are required to display a secondary decal, according to New Hampshire Department of Safety’s Division of Motor Vehicles and pursuant to House Bill 1304.

Beginning with the 2025 boating season, registering a boat will net an individual two sets of decals, one to be displayed on each side of the bow. The new decals are round and reflective. The existing registration decals will remain square and reflective.

Resultant from a recent United States Coast Guard audit, the new method of boat fee collection requires a yearly boat decal in addition to registration decals. Now, each boat registered in New Hampshire is required to display two decals. 

HB 1304 changed the procedure for registration of vessels by requiring the issuance and display of a boat decal for payment of boat fees. Both decals are available for purchase when registering a boat.

Notices to renew for 2025 were apparently already sent via the U.S. mail. Boaters who wish to renew through the mail service should follow the instructions included in the notice. Alternatively, boaters can obtain new or renewal registrations at the DMV.

Authorized boat agents, which include some city and town halls and local marinas, can process registration. Boaters who are renewing in person should bring their signed renewal notice, along with photo ID.