COLUMBUS, OH -- Owners of licensed watercraft in Ohio may now renew their registrations through a new online boater registration renewal service, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Watercraft.
For the first time, watercraft owners whose three-year registration expires on March 1 this year may use the new online registration service 24 hours a day through June 30. The service can be utilized on the ODNR web site at www.dnr.state.oh.us
"This new online registration system significantly improves our level of service to Ohio boaters and is part of Governor Taft's goal to expand electronic business services within state government," said ODNR Director Sam Speck..
Ohio is among only a few states to offer this convenient online registration for watercraft owners. Approximately 125,000 renewal notices will begin to arrive in watercraft owners' mailboxes next week. Since 95 percent of all registrations occur during the first six months of the year, the Division of Watercraft said its new online renewal registration service only would be offered each January through June 30. This new system is expected to save the watercraft agency an estimated $60,000 this year, plus additional savings in other related renewal program operating costs.
Registration information cannot be corrected or changed over the Internet. Such changes require a visit to a local watercraft registration agent.
Watercraft owners may continue to renew their registrations directly by mail or through any of the 253 watercraft license agents located around Ohio.
Another advantage to using this online system is the size of the new watercraft registration card which will be wallet-sized instead of the current 4-inch by 6-inch registration certificate. This new registration card will be included with the renewal validation decal that will be sent inside a confirmation letter by the Division of Watercraft to owners who renew their registration through the online system. State law requires that boat owners must carry their watercraft registration while aboard their boat or other type of watercraft.
Persons renewing registrations through the online system should allow 10 working days to receive their confirmation letter, registration and validation decal. Those who renew by mail should allow for fifteen working days to receive their registration and decal.
The three-year validation decals issued this year are valid through the 2003 boating season, but expire on March 1, 2004. Validation decals issued next year will be valid through the 2004 boating season and expire on March 1, 2005. Under the new registration system, decals and registrations are good for the entire year indicated on the decal, but expire on March 1 of the following year.