(Editor’s Note: The following article was sent to the Patriot by the Sherburne County Sheriff’s Office).

Boaters, remember to give yourself enough time to renew your watercraft registration if it has expired. As a result of COVID-19 and an increase in requests, the DNR License Center currently is requiring up to nine weeks to process mail-in boat registration renewals. Additional staff have been pulled in to help with the backlog.

To avoid the wait, the DNR is encouraging boaters to renew boat registrations online or at a local deputy registrar’s office, rather than by mail. If you renew online, you can print out the confirmation page as your temporary permit. You also may write down your temporary authorization number from the confirmation page.

Your registration card and expiration decals will then be mailed to you. To renew online visit the DNR website and click on “Get Started” and follow the prompts. To renew in person, visit a deputy registrar.  Deputy registrar locations are available on the Minnesota Department of Public Safety website.