Boating Registration

Moving boat registrations into the RIO system is part of DEM's ongoing efforts to improve customer service and streamline processes. will reduce the time the public spends submitting applications and the time DEM staff needs to receive and issue them, allowing boaters a faster and easier registration process that is business-friendly and compliant with regulations.

The legacy boat registration system did not collect the same customer information as the RIO system. DEM has issued new, unique customer account numbers for boat registrations to ensure the privacy and accuracy of customer account information. To obtain your RIO number, please submit the request form using the link above.

Yes. Boat/ATV/Snowmobile registrations are separate from existing RIO accounts. The legacy boat registration system did not collect the same customer information as the RIO system. To ensure privacy and accuracy of customer accounts, DEM has issued new, unique customer account numbers for boat registrations. This means customers with existing RIO accounts for hunting and fishing will have a login and account for boat registrations separate and unique from their existing one.

No. Currently, all boating registration accounts are separate and unique from the hunting and fishing accounts.

New hunting and fishing licenses can be obtained in person at DEM's Boating and Licensing Office or authorized sales agents. You should create a new account ONLY if you have not held a Rhode Island hunting or fishing license since 2018. 

Customers with existing RIO accounts for hunting and fishing should continue to use their existing RIO log in.

Renewals can be completed by a single owner in the RIO system and will be reflected in all unique customer accounts tied to the boat.

No. Customers must renew boat registration using https://rio.ri.gov or by going in person to DEM’s Boating and Licensing Office. All new boat registrations can only be obtained through DEM’s Boating and Licensing Office.  

Duplicate Boat Registration & Decals can be requested through the online renewal portal at https://rio.ri.gov 

• Duplicate registration card $5.00
• Duplicate set of decals $2.00

You can also visit the DEM’s Boating and Licensing Office, weekdays from 8:30 AM to 3:30 PM. (directions)

No. The One Outdoors system, on which the Rhode Island Outdoors (RIO) system is based, uses Social Security Numbers (SSNs) as a unique identifier to manage hunting and fishing customer accounts. While the RIO system includes fields for additional information, customers renewing boat, ATV, or snowmobile registrations are only required to provide an email address. These users are neither asked nor required to provide an SSN to access their accounts.

DEM collaborated with Tyler Technologies on Rhode Island Outdoors (RIO) portal using the robust One Outdoors system, which is used by some of the nation's largest hunting and fishing states such as Pennsylvania and Illinois. The system adheres to the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) framework and has rigorous controls in place for PCI/Payments Security, ensuring secure processing of payment data and providing a secure and trustworthy environment for users and their personal information.