Boat registration numbers are issued by states – usually the Department of Motor Vehicles, the Fish & Wildlife Department or similar. We have a list of every state and links to their registration websites. You get boat registration numbers when you buy a new boat OR when you transfer a used boat from another state to your state (called a transfer). If you’re just buying a used boat that is registered in your state, you will KEEP the numbers with the boat you are buying and you will not need to replace those numbers unless they are damaged, or you want to coordinate graphics and colors with your boat.
All states require boats to display their boat registration numbers on the forward half of the boat. They often issue a year or certification sticker to validate the numbers (paid annually or every few years). But the boater themselves is responsible for affixing the numbers to the boat. You have a few options – hardware stores sell individual numbers, which are difficult to line up and apply, or you can order Boat Registration Stickers right here:
You can pick your typeface, or font, you can pick one of 10 colors of vinyl (including 5 different blues!) and they will be sent all on one sticker with a transfer tape backing. You will peel the back, stick the whole number set to your boat, and peel off the top layer to reveal individual numbers and letters, for your boat, all lined up and perfectly spaced! Goes on your boat in under a minute.
We even make stencils for boats made from rigid inflatable vinyl and rotomolded plastic. You can order boat number stencils here. Because vinyl won’t stick to these surfaces, you apply the same custom numbers but as a flexible soft stencil and then paint your numbers on with either paint for vinyl (see our recommendations here) or with paint for plastic, depending on your boat.
Boat registration numbers are issued by states but they are placed on the boat by you, the boat owner. We have many options for colors, fonts and even specialty vinyl like carbon fiber (in two colors) and matte black for a distinctive look. And even better, you can order a boat name sticker set to match your numbers to your boat name! We also do custom logos too. And all of this is available in a stencil OR vinyl so you can customize no matter what your boat is made of!
