State Licensing Changes Boat Renewal System

From the San Juan County Auditor’s Office

The State Department of Licensing recently mailed postcards to all vessel owners notifying them that the Department will not be mailing renewal reminders any more, starting this year.  The postcard encourages vessel owners to go online to give the department an email address to which future years’ notices can be sent.

Although reminder notices will not be mailed this year, County Auditor Milene Henley advises owners that they can renew their licenses either online (dol.wa.gov) or at the Auditor’s office in the courthouse.  Specific directions for renewing online follow below.

To renew in person at the Auditor’s office, please bring the WN number of your boat, hull identification number (HIN), or last year’s registration, with you.  The office is not able to look up vessels by owner name alone.  Alternatively, you can renew by mail.  To renew by mail, first call the Auditor’s office (378-2161) with your WN number, HIN, or last year’s registration.  We will look up the renewal fees for you.  Then you can mail a check to the Auditor’s office (PO Box 638, Friday Harbor, WA 98250), and we will mail the new decal back to you.

The Auditor’s Office is committed to serving you during this transition.  If you have any questions, please call 378-2161 and talk to Sandy, Kira, or Jessica.  All vessel decals expire on June 30^th.

To renew online through Department of Licensing, go to www.dol.wa.gov.

• From the Home page, under “Skip a trip, go online” select “RENEW.”
• From the drop down box, select “Vessel decals.”
• Select “Start renewal.”
• Enter required information.  Select “Continue.”
• Confirm vessel information then select “Yes, Continue.”
• Choose “San Juan County” from the drop down box.
• Choose “Office Location.”
• Choose to have your decals mailed or you can pick them up.
• Choose yes or no for donation then select “Continue.”
• Review fees and select “Continue.”
• Enter in your credit or debit card information and select “Submit.”

Once the online renewal is complete, your transaction will be processed in the Auditor’s office.