Form 9400-193 at a glance
What it is: Form 9400-193 is the Wisconsin Boat Registration and Titling Application of the State of Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.
Where and when to file: Mail this application, payment, and required documents to: DNR PROCESSING CENTER PO BOX 78701 MILWAUKEE WI 53278-0701. You may submit this request online at gowild.wi.gov.
Use Form 9400-193 if you are the new owner of a boat and are applying for a registration certificate and/or a certificate of title.
A filled-in Form 9400-193 example: a new owner registers a used boat
How to fill out Form 9400-193, box by box
A. Applicant Information
Provide your name, DNR customer number or driver's license number, driver's license state, mailing address, date of birth, citizenship information, Social Security number or business Federal Employer Identification Number (FEIN), phone number and email address. The applicant identified in this section will be considered the primary owner on record by the department.
Enter the Date of Birth as mm dd yyyy.
B. Boat Information
B. Boat Information, WI Registration Number (if applicable) - found on decals and registration certificate: the registration number can be found on the registration certificate. Boats previously registered in Wisconsin have a registration number beginning with WS followed by four numbers and two letters (e.g., WS 1234 AB).
Hull Identification Number (Hull ID/HIN): the HIN (similar to a serial #) should be verified and taken from the boat.
Model (cannot be the same as the Make): the make/manufacturer and model name/number of the boat cannot be the same.
Length: exact length of the boat in feet and inches shall be entered, do not round measurements.
Hull Material, Boat Type, Engine Type, Propulsion Type, Fuel Type and Boat Use
Hull Material (select one), Boat Type (select one), Engine Type (select one), Propulsion Type (select one), Fuel Type (select one), Boat Use (select one). Select the type for the category listed. These fields are required.
Inboard / Sterndrive Engines ONLY and Out-of-State Registration Information
Inboard / Sterndrive Engines ONLY (if applicable): boats that have an inboard or sterndrive (I/O) engine(s) may have the make and serial number recorded on the registration and title.
Out-of-State Registration Information (if applicable): if you are registering/titling a boat that was previously registered in another state, enter the out-of-state boat registration number and the state of registration.
C. Who Did You Obtain the Boat From?
Provide the complete name and address of the previous owner or dealer.
Name (required), Mailing Address (required), City (required), State (required) and Zip Code (required).
A copy of this form may only be used as a temporary operating receipt if the boat was purchased from a Wisconsin authorized dealer and the dealer has signed in Section C.
1. Purchase Price, 2. Trade-in Amount and 3. Total Taxable Amount
Applicable state, county, and city sales tax must be paid unless a tax exemption applies. State sales tax is 5%. Additional county and/or city sales tax also applies if the boat is primarily kept in a county and/or city with a sales tax.
1. Purchase Price: include the amount for boat, motor(s), and accessories. Exclude trailer cost.
2. Trade-in Amount: enter the trade-in dollar amount here and complete trade-in description.
3. Total Taxable Amount: subtract line 2 from line 1 and enter the amount. Enter 0 if tax exempt.
D. Sales tax lines 4 to 7
4. State Sales Tax (5%): multiply line 3 by .05.
5. County Sales Tax: if county tax applies, multiply line 3 by the county tax amount. See sales tax rate chart.
6. City of Milwaukee Sales Tax (2%): does city of Milwaukee tax apply? Yes No. If city of Milwaukee sales tax applies, multiply line 3 by .02 and check the appropriate box.
7. Total Sales Tax Due: add lines 4, 5 and 6 and enter the total due.
Sales Tax Exemption
Sales Tax Exemption: if exempt from tax, check the box for exemption. Exemptions are subject to review.
E. Lien Information
E. Lien Information: if boat will be titled and you are adding a lien, enter the information. If there is no lien on the boat, leave this section blank.
F. Co-owner(s) Information
Co-owners can only be recorded for titled boats. Check the box indicating the type ownership (and/or) for each co-owner.
G. U.S. Coast Guard Documented Boat Information
Check if you are documenting your boat with the U.S. Coast Guard. Supporting documentation is required - see Section I.
H. Registration, Titling, and Lien Fees
1. Has the boat been previously registered in Wisconsin? Yes, enter $3.75 to transfer the registration into your name and proceed to line 2. No, enter the registration fee based on your boat type from column A in the Fee Table and skip to line 3. (checked October 31, 2026)
2. Has the Wisconsin registration expired? Yes, enter the registration fee based on your boat type from column A in the Fee Table and proceed to line 3. No, proceed to line 3.
3. Does a title fee apply? Use column B in the Fee Table to determine if a $5 title fee applies to your boat. Yes, enter $5.00 for the certificate of title fee here and proceed to line 4. No, skip to line 5. (checked October 31, 2026)
4. Did you record a lien on your boat in Section E of this application? Yes, enter $5.00 for the lien notation filing fee here and proceed to line 5. No, proceed to line 5. (checked October 31, 2026)
5. Registration Fees Due: add lines 1, 2, 3, and 4 from this section and enter the total here.
I. Required Documents (Evidence of Transfer of Ownership)
I. Required Documents (EVIDENCE OF TRANSFER OF OWNERSHIP) - Titled and Documented Boats Only: evidence of transfer of ownership must be submitted for all boats that will be issued a Wisconsin Certificate of Title or that will be documented with the U.S. Coast Guard.
New Boat, a boat that has never been registered in Wisconsin or another state: original manufacturer statement of origin (MSO) assigned to the purchaser(s).
Boat is currently titled in Wisconsin or another state: current certificate of title properly assigned to you. The title must be signed by the owner(s) listed on the title and the assignment section must identify you as the new owner - photocopies are NOT acceptable. Lien release document (if applicable) - photocopies are acceptable.
J. Signature and Certification
Sign and date the form to acknowledge the information provided is correct.
By signing you certify that the information and statements made within this application are true, accurate, and complete to the best of your knowledge.
I understand that intentionally making a false statement on an application for title may be punished under s. 30.547, Wis. Stats., by a maximum fine of $10,000 or imprisonment up to 6 years, or both. (checked October 31, 2026)
Make check or money order payable to WDNR: Total Sales Tax Due, Boat Registration Fees and TOTAL DUE
Make check or money order payable to WDNR.
Total Sales Tax Due: (from Section D, line 7). Boat Registration Fees: (from Section H, line 5). Aquatic & Invasive Species Donation: (optional, minimum $2.00 donation). (checked October 31, 2026)
TOTAL DUE.
Common questions about Form 9400-193
Where do I file it?
Mail this application, payment, and required documents to: DNR PROCESSING CENTER PO BOX 78701 MILWAUKEE WI 53278-0701.
When is this form not the right one?
WISCONSIN DNR DOES NOT REGISTER OR TITLE TRAILERS. Please contact Wisconsin DOT for trailer registration or titling questions at (608) 264-7447.
Sources
[1] Form 9400-193 (R. 4/25), Wisconsin Boat Registration and Titling Application, State of Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (the Official source link on this page).
