Vancouver, Wash. ‒ The United States Coast Guard is now enforcing a new federal standard that could require about 19,000 Washington residents to change the Hull Identification Number on their vessels. The HIN is a unique identifier for each vessel. 

The Coast Guard is making these changes to:

• Improve boating safety efforts
• Enhance law enforcement capabilities
• Promote its strategic goals of maritime safety and security.

The vast majority of vessels registered in Washington have HINs that comply with the new standards. But if a vessel’s HIN does not comply, the owner should have received an instruction letter in March from the state Department of Licensing. People who received this letter will not be able to register, renew or title a vessel until the HIN is updated, as described in the letter. 

A vessel with a noncompliant HIN cannot be renewed online.

Vessel owners who were not notified by mail can renew as usual.

To get a new HIN for a vessel, visit a Vehicle Licensing Office to get a new Certificate of Ownership and HIN that complies with the new standards. No titling fee is charged if the transaction is solely to issue a compliant HIN.

If a HIN does not match what is stated the instruction letter, bring a photo or rubbing of the current HIN to the Vehicle Licensing Office. If the current HIN does not match the vessel record in DOL system, the record will be updated.

For questions, please see the Department of Licensing website at www.dol.wa.gov. Other options are to contact the licensing Customer Service Center at 360.902.3770, CustomerCare@dol.wa.gov or a local Vehicle Licensing Office listed at www.dol.wa.gov or clarkautolicense.org.

CONTACT
Greg Kimsey
County Auditor
Auditor's Office
360.397.2078
greg.kimsey@clark.wa.gov