Where to place boat registration stickers on your boat so that you comply with your state regulations?
Placement of Boat Registration Stickers
The following information from the guide to applying stickers can be found on your state’s website. Click on the menu above to select your state. If you don’t see your state, you’re assured that ALL states have the same requirements.
Watercraft Registration Number:
Watercraft owners must paint or permanently attach the assigned registration number on each side of the forward half of the vessel as high above the water line as possible. The number must contrast with the color of the background so it is visible and legible.
All letters and numbers must be plain block characters at least 3 inches high, reading from left to right. Place a hyphen or leave space equivalent to the width of your letter “M” between the letters and numbers.
Registration Decal
The three-year watercraft registration decals must be attached to the forward half of the vessel on the same level as the registration number. Place each decal 3 inches to the right of the last letter in the registration number, reading left to right, on both sides of the vessel.
Documented Vessels
On a vessel documented by the U.S. Coast Guard, the registration number does not have to be displayed. However, one registration decal must be attached to each side of the forward half of the vessel as high above the water line as possible. If your vessel is a USCG documented vessel, such as a fishing vessel, your requirements are different.