Ind. Code ch. 9-18.1-14.5

Ind. Code ch. 9-18.1-14.5
in effect

Ind. Code § 9-18.1-14.5-1 Registration; exceptions

Sec. 1. (a) Except as provided in subsection (b), a watercraft may not be operated, used, docked, or stored in Indiana during any part of a calendar year unless the watercraft: (1) is registered under this chapter; and (2) displays proof of registration under this chapter. (b) Registration is not required for the following watercraft: (1) A watercraft that is from a country other than the United States temporarily using the waters of Indiana. (2) A ship's lifeboat, when used solely as a lifeboat of another boat and for no other recreational purpose. (3) Except as provided in subdivision (4), a watercraft that is registered outside of Indiana and operated, used, stored, or docked in Indiana for a combined total of not more than sixty (60) consecutive days during a calendar year. (4) A watercraft that is registered outside of Indiana and docked on the Indiana part of Lake Michigan for a combined total of not more than one hundred eighty (180) consecutive days. (5) A watercraft that belongs to a class of boats that has been exempted from registration and numbering by the bureau after the bureau has found the following: (A) That an agency of the federal government has a numbering system applicable to the class of watercraft to which the watercraft in question belongs. (B) That the watercraft would also be exempt from numbering if the watercraft were subject to federal law. (6) A watercraft, the operator of which has in the operator's possession a bill of sale from a dealer licensed under IC 9-32 or private individual that includes the following: (A) The purchaser's name and address. (B) A date of purchase that is not more than forty-five (45) days preceding the date that the operator is required to show the bill of sale. (C) The make, model, and identification number of the watercraft provided by the manufacturer. (7) A watercraft held by a watercraft manufacturer, distributor, or dealer for sale in the ordinary course of business. (8) A watercraft subject to the commercial vessel tonnage tax under IC 6-6-6. (c) A person that fails to register a watercraft that is required to be registered under this chapter commits a Class C infraction. As added by P.L.164-2020, SEC.38.

Ind. Code § 9-18.1-14.5-2 Application; false statement; violation

Sec. 2. (a) A person that desires to register a watercraft must submit an application, in a form and manner prescribed by the bureau, that contains the following information: (1) The name of the owner of the watercraft, and, if the watercraft is leased, the name of the lessee. (2) The person's address in Indiana, including the county and township, on the date of the application, as follows: (A) If the person is an individual, the person's residence address. However, if the person participates in the address confidentiality program under IC 5-26.5, the address may be a substitute address designated by the office of the attorney general under IC 5-26.5. (B) If the person is not an individual, the person's principal office in Indiana. (C) If the person does not have a physical residence or office in Indiana, the county and township in Indiana where the watercraft will be primarily operated or stored. (3) A description of the watercraft to be registered, including the identification number and color of the watercraft. (4) The tax situs of the watercraft as defined in IC 6-6-11-5. (5) Any other information required by the bureau. (b) An application made online or through the United States mail is not required to be sworn or notarized. (c) A person may apply on behalf of another person to register a watercraft under this chapter. However, the person in whose name the watercraft will be registered must sign and verify the application. (d) A person that makes a false statement in an application under this section commits a Class C infraction. As added by P.L.164-2020, SEC.38.

Ind. Code § 9-18.1-14.5-3 Registration; requirements

Sec. 3. The bureau may not register a watercraft unless: (1) the watercraft has an identification number; (2) the registrant: (A) pays the applicable boat excise tax for the watercraft under IC 6-6-11; or (B) provides proof in a manner acceptable to the bureau that the watercraft is exempt from the boat excise tax for watercraft under IC 6-6-11; (3) the registrant titles the watercraft under IC 9-17; and (4) the registrant pays the appropriate registration fee under section 6 of this chapter. As added by P.L.164-2020, SEC.38.

Ind. Code § 9-18.1-14.5-4 Determination of genuineness, regularity, and legality

Sec. 4. (a) The bureau shall use due diligence in examining and determining the genuineness, regularity, and legality of the information provided by a person as part of a request to register a watercraft under this chapter. (b) The bureau may: (1) make investigations or require additional information; and (2) reject an application or request; if the bureau is not satisfied of the genuineness, regularity, or legality of an application or the truth of a statement contained in an application or request, or for any other reason. As added by P.L.164-2020, SEC.38.

Ind. Code § 9-18.1-14.5-5 Certificates of registration and decals

Sec. 5. (a) If the bureau determines that a person applying to register a watercraft is entitled to register the watercraft, the bureau shall register the watercraft and issue to the applicant proof of registration for display on the watercraft and a certificate of registration. (b) Proof of registration for display on the watercraft must be displayed in a manner prescribed by the department of natural resources, including the following: (1) The registration number set forth in the certificate of registration must be displayed on each side of the bow of the watercraft. The display must be legible. However, a watercraft that has a valid marine document issued by the United States Bureau of Customs is not required to display the registration number. (2) If a watercraft is required to be registered under 33 CFR 173, the registration number must be displayed in the manner prescribed by 33 CFR 173.27. (3) Decals indicating the year of expiration of registration, with a unique identification number and a different color than colors used for the previous registration year, must be affixed: (A) to the bow of each side of the watercraft, within three (3) inches to the right of the watercraft's registration number; or (B) on each side of the forward half of the bow above the water line of the watercraft if a registration number is not required to be displayed. However, the department of natural resources may adopt rules under IC 4-22-2 providing that the decals do not have to be affixed to a particular type of watercraft. (c) A number other than the number awarded to a watercraft or granted reciprocity under this chapter may not be painted, attached, or otherwise displayed on each side of the bow of the watercraft. (d) A person that fails to: (1) carry a certificate of registration or a legible reproduction of a certificate of registration; or (2) display proof of registration for display on the watercraft as required by the department of natural resources; commits a Class C infraction. (e) Certificates of registration, decals, and other proof of registration issued under this section: (1) remain the property of the bureau; and (2) may be revoked, canceled, or repossessed as provided by law. (f) A person who knowingly or intentionally falsifies, predates, changes, or counterfeits proof of registration for a watercraft commits a Class C misdemeanor. As added by P.L.164-2020, SEC.38.

Ind. Code § 9-18.1-14.5-6 Fee

Sec. 6. (a) A request for registration under this chapter must be signed by the owner of the watercraft and accompanied by the appropriate fee specified in subsection (b). The fee to renew a watercraft registration is specified in subsection (c). (b) The fee to register a watercraft in its first year of registration is the amount determined by STEP THREE of the following formula: STEP ONE: Determine the appropriate fee based upon the length of the watercraft as follows: Watercraft Length (in feet) At Least But Less Fee ($) Than 0 13 15 13 26 18 26 40 21 40 24 STEP TWO: Determine the appropriate fee based upon the value of the watercraft as follows: Value ($) Value ($) Fee ($) Greater Than or Equal to Less Than 0 1,000 5 1,000 3,000 10 3,000 5,000 15 5,000 10,000 20 10,000 25 STEP THREE: Determine the sum of the STEP ONE amount plus the STEP TWO amount. (c) The fee to renew a watercraft registration is based upon the value of the watercraft as follows: Class Boat Value When New Fee Due At Least But Less Than 1 $0.01 $500 $15 2 500 1,000 15 3 1,000 1,500 20 4 1,500 2,000 20 5 2,000 3,000 20 6 3,000 5,000 25 7 5,000 7,500 30 8 7,500 10,000 30 9 10,000 15,000 35 10 15,000 22,500 40 11 22,500 35,000 45 12 35,000 50,000 50 13 50,000 75,000 55 14 75,000 or more 60 (d) For purposes of this section, the bureau shall determine the value of a watercraft in the same manner as set forth in IC 6-6-11-10(b). (e) The fees collected under subsection (b) shall be distributed as follows: (1) Fees collected from STEP ONE of subsection (b) shall be deposited in the fish and wildlife fund established by IC 14-22-3-2 and shall be used exclusively for the following: (A) The enforcement of laws pertaining to watercraft. (B) The state's share of the cost of retirement benefits for conservation officers of the department of natural resources. (C) Improving the navigable waters of Indiana. (2) Sixty-six and seven-tenths percent (66.7%) of the fees collected from STEP TWO of subsection (b) shall be deposited in the lake and river enhancement fund established by IC 14-22-3.5-1. (3) Thirty-three and three-tenths percent (33.3%) of the fees collected from STEP TWO of subsection (b) shall be deposited in the conservation officers marine enforcement fund established by IC 14-9-8-21.5. (f) A fee collected under subsection (c) shall be distributed as follows: (1) Five dollars ($5) shall be deposited in the fish and wildlife fund established by IC 14-22-3-2 and shall be used exclusively for the following: (A) The enforcement of laws pertaining to watercraft. (B) The state's share of the cost of retirement benefits for conservation officers of the department of natural resources. (C) Improving the navigable waters of Indiana. (2) The remaining amount shall be distributed as follows: (A) Seventy-five percent (75%) to the lake and river enhancement fund established by IC 14-22-3.5-1. (B) Twenty-five percent (25%) to the conservation officers marine enforcement fund established by IC 14-9-8-21.5. (g) The owner of a watercraft that is registered under this section is required to: (1) renew the registration under subsection (c); and (2) pay any applicable fees and excise tax under IC 6-6-11-13 on the watercraft; each year. As added by P.L.164-2020, SEC.38. Amended by P.L.74-2023, SEC.1.

Ind. Code § 9-18.1-14.5-7 Exempted vehicles

Sec. 7. (a) A watercraft that is owned or leased and used for official business by the following is exempt from the payment of registration fees under this article: (1) A state or state agency (as defined in IC 6-1.1-1-18). (2) A municipal corporation (as defined in IC 36-1-2-10). (3) A volunteer fire department (as defined in IC 36-8-12-2). (b) The bureau may issue proof of registration under this chapter for a watercraft owned by or leased by the federal government. (c) The bureau may adopt rules under IC 4-22-2 to assign permanent registration numbers and accompanying registration cards to watercraft owned or leased by an entity listed in subsection (a)(1). As added by P.L.164-2020, SEC.38.

Ind. Code § 9-18.1-14.5-8 Term of validity

Sec. 8. (a) A watercraft becomes subject to registration under this chapter: (1) on the date the watercraft is acquired; or (2) not later than sixty (60) days after a person who owns the watercraft becomes an Indiana resident. (b) Upon becoming subject to registration under this chapter, a watercraft must be registered for a period that is not: (1) less than three (3) months; or (2) greater than twenty-four (24) months. (c) A registration under this article may be renewed: (1) for a watercraft with an unexpired registration, for a period of twelve (12) months from the date on which the registration will expire; or (2) for a watercraft with an expired registration, for a period of not: (A) less than three (3) months; or (B) greater than twenty-four (24) months. (d) Subject to subsection (b), and except as provided for in subsection (h), the registration year for a registration, other than a renewal described in subsection (c), begins on the date on which the watercraft becomes subject to registration as determined under subsection (a) and ends on the following date selected by the person registering the watercraft: (1) The date on which the watercraft registration expires, as determined under the schedule established under IC 9-18.1-11-1. (2) Twelve (12) months after the date described in subdivision (1). (e) If a person sells or otherwise disposes of a watercraft: (1) the certificate of registration and proof of registration for the watercraft are canceled; and (2) except as provided in IC 9-33-3, the person is not entitled to a refund of any unused part of a fee paid by the person under this chapter. (f) If the watercraft is transferred or sold, the person shall provide ownership documents at the time of delivering the watercraft. (g) A person that acquires a watercraft that is registered under this chapter must apply to the bureau under this chapter to register the watercraft. (h) A watercraft registered under this chapter remains subject to continuous registration under this chapter until: (1) the watercraft is sold or otherwise disposed of; or (2) the person that registered the watercraft becomes a nonresident. As added by P.L.164-2020, SEC.38. Amended by P.L.111-2021, SEC.21.

Ind. Code § 9-18.1-14.5-9 Operation of a watercraft with expired plates; violation

Sec. 9. (a) If the date on which the registration of a watercraft expires is a day on which all license branches located in the county in which the watercraft is registered are closed, including: (1) a Sunday; or (2) a legal holiday listed in IC 1-1-9-1; the registration expires at midnight on the date following the next day on which a license branch located in the county in which the watercraft is registered is open for business. (b) Except as provided in subsection (a), a person that owns or operates a watercraft may not operate or permit the operation of a watercraft that: (1) is required to be registered under this chapter; and (2) has an expired registration. (c) A person that operates or permits the operation of a watercraft in violation of subsection (b) commits a Class C infraction. As added by P.L.164-2020, SEC.38.

Ind. Code § 9-18.1-14.5-10 Delinquent registration renewal; administration penalty; violation

Sec. 10. (a) The bureau shall collect an administrative penalty of fifteen dollars ($15) from the following: (1) A person that fails to: (A) register; or (B) provide full payment for the registration of; a watercraft within forty-five (45) days after the date on which the watercraft becomes subject to registration under section 8(a)(1) of this chapter. (2) A person that fails to: (A) renew; or (B) provide full payment for the renewal of; the registration of a watercraft by the date on which the registration expires. (3) A person who: (A) owns a watercraft; (B) becomes an Indiana resident; and (C) fails to register or provide full payment of the registration of the watercraft within sixty (60) days after the person becomes an Indiana resident. (b) An administrative penalty collected under subsection (a) shall be deposited in the commission fund. (c) A person described in subsection (a) commits a Class C infraction. As added by P.L.164-2020, SEC.38. Amended by P.L.111-2021, SEC.22.

Ind. Code § 9-18.1-14.5-11 Replacement certificate of registration or decal; notice to law enforcement; fee

Sec. 11. (a) If a certificate of registration or decal issued for a watercraft that is registered under this chapter is lost, stolen, destroyed, or damaged, the owner of the watercraft may apply to the bureau for a replacement certificate of registration or decal. If the certificate of registration or decal is stolen, the owner shall provide notice of the theft to a law enforcement agency with jurisdiction over: (1) the site of the theft; or (2) the address listed on the certificate of registration. (b) The bureau shall issue a replacement certificate of registration or decal to the owner of a watercraft after the owner pays a fee of nine dollars and fifty cents ($9.50). (c) The fee imposed under subsection (b) shall be distributed as follows: (1) Twenty-five cents ($0.25) to the state construction fund. (2) Fifty cents ($0.50) to the state motor vehicle technology fund. (3) One dollar ($1) to the crossroads 2000 fund. (4) One dollar and fifty cents ($1.50) to the motor vehicle highway account. (5) One dollar and twenty-five cents ($1.25) to the emergency communications fund. (6) Five dollars ($5) to the commission fund. (d) A replacement certificate of registration or decal issued under this section must be attached and displayed in the same manner as the original certificate of registration or decal. As added by P.L.164-2020, SEC.38. Amended by P.L.111-2021, SEC.23; P.L.152-2026, SEC.114.

Ind. Code § 9-18.1-14.5-12 Change of ownership; amended certificate of registration; fee

Sec. 12. (a) A person that owns a watercraft that is registered under this chapter may apply to the bureau to change the ownership of the watercraft: (1) by adding at least one (1) other person as a joint owner; or (2) if the person is a joint owner of the watercraft, by transferring the person's ownership interest in the watercraft to at least one (1) remaining joint owner. (b) The bureau shall issue an amended certificate of registration to a person that applies under subsection (a) after the person does the following: (1) Complies with IC 9-17. (2) Pays the fee of nine dollars and fifty cents ($9.50). (c) A person may apply to the bureau to amend any obsolete or incorrect information contained in the certificate of registration issued with respect to the watercraft. The bureau shall issue an amended certificate of registration after the person pays a fee of nine dollars and fifty cents ($9.50). (d) The bureau may not impose or collect a fee for a duplicate, amended, or replacement certificate of registration that is issued as a result of an error on the part of the bureau. (e) A fee described in subsection (b)(2) or (c) shall be distributed as follows: (1) Twenty-five cents ($0.25) to the state construction fund. (2) Fifty cents ($0.50) to the state motor vehicle technology fund. (3) One dollar ($1) to the crossroads 2000 fund. (4) One dollar and fifty cents ($1.50) to the motor vehicle highway account. (5) One dollar and twenty-five cents ($1.25) to the emergency communications fund. (6) Five dollars ($5) to the commission fund. As added by P.L.164-2020, SEC.38. Amended by P.L.152-2026, SEC.115.

Ind. Code § 9-18.1-14.5-13 Duties of the bureau

Sec. 13. (a) If an agency of the federal government has an overall system of identification numbering for watercraft within the United States, the registration and numbering system employed under this chapter by the bureau must conform with the system. (b) In accordance with any request made by an authorized official or agency of the United States, the bureau shall transmit any information compiled or otherwise available to the bureau under: (1) IC 14-15-4-1; (2) IC 14-15-4-2; and (3) IC 14-15-4-3; to the official or agency of the United States. As added by P.L.164-2020, SEC.38.

Ind. Code § 9-18.1-14.5-14 Enforcement

Sec. 14. Every law enforcement officer of this state and its subdivisions, including an enforcement officer of the department of natural resources, may enforce this chapter and may stop and board a watercraft subject to this chapter. As added by P.L.164-2020, SEC.38.
Source: Open US Law by Vaquill AI (CC BY 4.0)URL: https://iga.in.gov/laws/2026/ic/titles/9Fetched: 10/17/2026