Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land announced recently that more than 255,000 watercraft registration renewal notices will be mailed beginning March 1. She encourages residents to renew online at www.Michigan.gov/sos.

“Skip the trip to a Secretary of State branch office,” Land said. “Renew your watercraft registration online and be ready to put your boat in the water during the first days of summer. It’s fast and easy.”

The number of online watercraft renewals has quadrupled during Land’s tenure. In 2003, more than 10,000 online renewals were processed. By 2009, the number had jumped to over 44,000. In addition, over 4,000 renewals were made by phone.

A unique personal identification number on each notice allows watercraft owners to access the department’s online or touch-tone telephone renewal systems. Both convenient options are available March 1 to Aug. 31 and can be accessed 24 hours a day. Payment is by Visa, MasterCard or Discover credit card.

In addition to Internet and telephone renewal, customers may renew by mail or at any Secretary of State office. If an address needs to be changed, the renewal can be processed by mail or at a branch office. Renewals involving a change in name or watercraft must be completed at a branch. All branch offices accept cash, checks or money orders. PLUS offices and SUPER!Centers also take Discover and MasterCard. Mail renewals are paid by check, money order or Discover, Visa or MasterCard.

All watercraft on Michigan waters, including privately owned lakes and waterways, must be registered except for:

• Watercraft 16 feet or less, propelled by oars or paddles that are not used for rental or commercial purposes.

• Nonmotorized canoes and kayaks not used for rental or commercial purposes.

• Rafts, surfboards, sailboards and swim floats, regardless of length.

• Watercraft registered in another state and used only temporarily in Michigan.

Personal watercraft operators must be at least age 14. A safe boating certificate is required for all personal watercraft operators born after Dec. 31, 1978.

Children under age 12 are prohibited from operating a personal watercraft. Children ages 12 and 13 may operate one if all of the following apply:

• The child must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.

• Both the child and parent must have a boating safety certificate.

• The personal watercraft is equipped with a lanyard-type engine cutoff switch that is attached to the parent or guardian.

Watercraft registrations are issued for three years and expire on March 31 of the third year.

There are 922,779 watercraft registrations on file with the Department of State.

To learn more about watercraft registration and other services, visit the department Web site at www.Michigan.gov/sos.