Boating Resources
Boat Registration Number Rules by State
Every state-registered boat has to show its registration number the same basic way: the federal display rule. States then add their own rules for where the yearly validation decal goes. Here are both.
Shop Registration Numbers Custom Color Numbers
The federal rule (33 CFR 173.27)
Under 33 CFR 173.27, each registration number must:
- Be painted on or permanently attached to each side of the forward half of the boat.
- Be in plain vertical block characters at least 3 inches high. No script, italics or slanted lettering.
- Contrast with the background and be distinctly visible and legible.
- Have spaces or hyphens between the letter and number groups, each as wide as a letter (other than "I") or a number (other than "1").
- Read from left to right on both sides.
Correct examples:
DC 5678 EF DC-5678-EF
If a number on the hull would not be easily seen, the rule allows it on a backing plate attached to the forward half so it is visible from each side.
Validation decals (33 CFR 174.15)
States that issue validation stickers must require them to be shown within 6 inches of the number, and the stickers are about 3 inches square (33 CFR 174.15). Each state decides exactly where: ahead of the number, behind it, on one side or both.
State-by-state decal placement
Summaries are condensed from each state's approved boater-education handbook on boat-ed.com (checked October 8, 2026). Unless noted, the number itself follows the federal rule above. Rules change, so confirm with your state agency before you letter the boat.
| State | Validation decal placement | Other display notes | Agency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Decals must be affixed on each side of the vessel. | Number must be in at least three-inch-high BLOCK letters (not slanted). | Alabama Law Enforcement Agency – Marine Patrol |
| Alaska | Decal must be placed within six inches of the number on both sides of the vessel. | Federal display rule | Alaska Office of Boating Safety / DMV |
| Arizona | Decal must be affixed on both sides of the vessel within three inches in front of the AZ of the registration number. | Federal display rule | Arizona Game and Fish Department |
| Arkansas | Decals must be affixed on each side of the motorboat, toward the stern of the registration number, and three inches from and in line with the number. | Federal display rule | Arkansas Dept. of Finance & Administration (registration) / AGFC |
| California | Registration stickers must be affixed on both sides of the bow, three inches behind (toward the stern) and in line with the number. If boating on fresh water, Quagga/Zebra Mussel fee stickers must be affixed on both sides of the bow, behind (towards the stern) and in line with the registration sticker. | Federal display rule | California State Parks – Division of Boating and Waterways |
| Colorado | Expiration date decals must be affixed on each side of the vessel two inches to the left of the registration number. | Federal display rule | Colorado Parks and Wildlife |
| Connecticut | No state summary in our source. Follow the federal rules above and confirm decal placement with the agency. | Federal display rule | Connecticut DEEP Boating Division |
| Delaware | Decal must be affixed on both sides of the vessel within six inches of, and in line with, the registration number. The decal may precede or follow the number. Expired decals must be removed. | Number must be painted, applied as a decal, or otherwise affixed to both sides of forward half of the vessel, as high above the waterline as possible. | Delaware Division of Fish & Wildlife |
| Florida | Decal must be affixed to the port (left) side of the vessel within six inches of the registration number. The decal may precede or follow the number. | Federal display rule | Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission |
| Georgia | Current validation decals must be displayed on each side of the bow, preceding the prefix letters of the registration number. | Federal display rule | Georgia DNR Wildlife Resources Division |
| Hawaii | Sticker must be placed three inches behind the number (toward the stern) and in line with the number on both sides of the vessel. | Number must be painted, applied as a decal, or otherwise affixed to both sides of the forward half of the vessel, placed well above the waterline where it may be read easily. | Hawaii DLNR Division of Boating & Ocean Recreation |
| Idaho | One sticker must be affixed to each side of the vessel. Expired stickers must be removed or covered completely by the new sticker. | Number must be painted, applied as a decal, or otherwise affixed to both sides of the bow as high above the waterline as possible. Personal watercraft are required to display the certificate's number and a validation sticker on both sides of the bow, high above the waterline. | Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation |
| Illinois | Decals must be placed on both sides of the bow after a space at the end of the number. No numerals and letters other than the registration numerals, letters, and expiration decals may be displayed on either side of the bow of any vessel. Check with Illinois DNR for proper placement of decals on these vessels. | Federal display rule | Illinois Department of Natural Resources |
| Indiana | Excise tax decals must be affixed on both sides of the bow, to the right of and within three inches of the number. Certain sailboats may qualify for an alternate display location for these decals. | If the number on the hull or superstructure would not be visible, it must be painted on or attached to a backing plate on each side of the forward half of the vessel. | Indiana Department of Natural Resources (registration via BMV) |
| Iowa | Decals must be affixed on each side of the vessel, toward the stern of the registration number, 4 inches from and in line with the number. A sailboard is not required to display the registration number, but the decal must be placed on the bottom surface of the bow of the sailboard. | Federal display rule | Iowa Department of Natural Resources |
| Kansas | Registration decals must be affixed in line with the assigned number on each side of the vessel. Sailboards are required to display only the registration decal, which should be attached to the front half of the top of the sailboard. | Federal display rule | Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks |
| Kentucky | Decal must be placed behind the number (toward the stern) and be within six inches of and in-line with the number. | Federal display rule | Kentucky Dept. of Fish & Wildlife Resources |
| Louisiana | Decals must be affixed on both sides of the vessel within six inches of the registration number. | Federal display rule | Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries |
| Maine | Sticker must be affixed on both sides of the bow, three inches to the right of and directly in line with the number. | Federal display rule | Maine Dept. of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife |
| Maryland | Decals must be affixed on each side of the vessel within three inches of the vessel number and may be placed in front of, behind, above, or below the number. | Number must be painted, applied as a decal, or otherwise affixed to the forward half (bow) of each side of the vessel, placed well above the waterline. | Maryland DNR Boating Services |
| Massachusetts | The validation decal should be placed in line with and within six inches following the registration number on the port (left) side of the vessel. Note that the decal is displayed only on the port (left) side of a vessel. | Federal display rule | Massachusetts Environmental Police – Boat & Recreation Vehicle Registration |
| Michigan | Decals must be affixed on each side of the vessel and placed three inches after the last character of the registration number. | Number must be painted, applied as a decal, or otherwise affixed to both sides of the bow as high above the water line as practical. Important All watercraft with a motor, including electric and inflatable vessels, must be registered. | Michigan DNR (registration via Secretary of State) |
| Minnesota | No state summary in our source. Follow the federal rules above and confirm decal placement with the agency. | Federal display rule | Minnesota Department of Natural Resources |
| Mississippi | Decals must be affixed on both sides of the vessel preceding the prefix letters of the registration number and within six inches of the registration number. | Federal display rule | Mississippi Dept. of Wildlife, Fisheries & Parks |
| Missouri | Decal must be affixed on both sides of the vessel, directly underneath the main body of the registration number or, if there is insufficient room underneath, as close as possible to the registration number. | Number must be painted, applied as a decal, or otherwise affixed to both sides of the bow above the waterline. | Missouri State Highway Patrol – Water Patrol Division |
| Montana | The permanent registration decal must be securely attached to the left (port) side of the vessel. The decal must be spaced three inches aft (rearward) and directly in line with the vessel number displayed on the left side of the vessel. The two validation decals must be securely attached securely on each side of the vessel. Left (Port) Side: The validation decal must be attached immediately aft (rearward) of the registration decal. Right (Starboard) Side: The validation decal must be attached immediately aft (rearward) of the vessel number. | Number must be as high above the waterline as practical and still be visible. | Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks |
| Nebraska | No state summary in our source. Follow the federal rules above and confirm decal placement with the agency. | Federal display rule | Nebraska Game and Parks Commission |
| Nevada | Decals must be affixed on each side of the vessel toward the stern of the registration number and within six inches of and in line with the number. | Federal display rule | Nevada Department of Wildlife |
| New Hampshire | Decals must be placed on both sides of the bow within six inches of and to the right of the number. Sailboats that are at least 12 feet long but less than 20 feet in length need to display the validation decals only (not the number) within two feet of the extreme forward part of the bow. | Federal display rule | New Hampshire Marine Patrol / DMV |
| New Jersey | Validation decals must be displayed on both sides of the vessel three inches aft of the registration numbers. | Federal display rule | New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission |
| New Mexico | Validation decal must be placed on the port (left) side of the vessel and six inches to the right (rear) of the registration number. (Please remember to remove old decals.) Personal watercraft also are required to display the registration number and validation decal. | Number must be in at least three-inch-high BLOCK letters (no script). | New Mexico State Parks – Boating |
| New York | Stickers must be displayed on both sides of the bow, placed in line with and three inches to the stern of the registration number. | Federal display rule | New York State Parks – Boating (registration via DMV) |
| North Carolina | Decals must be affixed on both the starboard (right) and port (left) sides of the vessel. | Federal display rule | North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission |
| North Dakota | Validation stickers must be affixed on each side of the vessel toward the rear of the vessel and within six inches of the registration number. | Federal display rule | North Dakota Game and Fish Department |
| Ohio | Registration tags are issued with each boat registration. The tags must be securely affixed on each side of the bow 6" toward the stern from the number. | Federal display rule | Ohio DNR Division of Parks & Watercraft |
| Oklahoma | Decals must be affixed on both sides of the bow, behind (towards the stern) and in line with the number. | Number must be painted, applied as a decal, or otherwise affixed to both sides of the bow, as high above the water line as possible. | Oklahoma Tax Commission (registration) / OHP Marine Enforcement |
| Oregon | Validation decals must be affixed on each side of the boat. | Number must be painted, applied as a decal, or otherwise affixed to both sides of the forward half of the boat, placed above the water line where it can be read easily. Number must be in at least three-inch-high BLOCK letters (not slanted). | Oregon State Marine Board |
| Pennsylvania | Decals must be affixed on both sides of the bow within six inches of, and in line with, the registration number. The decals may precede or follow the number. The requirements for displaying numbers and decals are different for small vessels. Kayaks, sculls, and sailboards are exempt from displaying their registration number but must display the validation decals. Canoes must display both the number and the decals. Inflatable boats may display their number and decals on boards that are tied to each side of the boat. PWC also are required to display the certificate’s number and validation decal. | Federal display rule | Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission |
| Rhode Island | Decals must be affixed to the right of, and in line with, the registration number on each side of the vessel. Only current decals shall be displayed. | Number must be painted, applied as a decal, or otherwise affixed to the forward half of each side of the vessel as high above the waterline as possible. | Rhode Island DEM – Boat Registration |
| South Carolina | Decals must be affixed on both sides of the vessel within six inches following the registration number. | Federal display rule | South Carolina Department of Natural Resources |
| South Dakota | Decals must be affixed on both sides of the bow, adjacent to and in line with the number. Requirements for display of the registration number and validation decals depend on the length of the vessel. Non-motorized vessels that are 12 feet or less in length are not required to display the registration number or the validation decals. Non-motorized vessels that are more than 12 feet but are 18 feet or less in length are not required to display the registration number but must display the validation decals. All motorized vessels and all vessels that are more than 18 feet in length must display both the registration number and the validation decals. | Number must be painted, applied as a decal, or otherwise affixed to both sides of the bow such that the number is clearly visible and readable at a distance of 100 feet when the vessel is in the water. | South Dakota Game, Fish & Parks |
| Tennessee | Decals may be placed to the left or right of the registration number on both sides of the bow. | Federal display rule | Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency |
| Texas | Decals must be affixed on both sides of the bow, three inches behind (toward the stern) and in line with the number. | Federal display rule | Texas Parks and Wildlife Department |
| Utah | The Yearly Registration decals must be displayed three inches aft (toward the stern) of the bow number on each side of the vessel. Only current decals may be displayed. The Month of Expiration Decals must be displayed immediately aft of the Yearly Registration Decals. PWC are also required to display the bow number and registration decals. | Federal display rule | Utah Division of State Parks – Boating |
| Vermont | Stickers must be displayed on both sides of the bow. The sticker on the port (left) side must precede the registration number and be placed within six inches of the number. The sticker on the starboard (right) side must follow the registration number and be placed within six inches of the number. | Federal display rule | Vermont DMV (registration) / Vermont State Police Marine Division |
| Virginia | Decals must be displayed on each side of the vessel within six inches of, and in line with, the registration number. Expired decals must be removed. | Federal display rule | Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources |
| Washington | Current year decals only must be affixed on each side of the bow, toward the stern of the registration number and in line with the number. | Federal display rule | Washington State Parks Boating Program / Dept. of Licensing |
| West Virginia | Decals must be affixed on both sides of the bow, within six inches of the last character in the registration number. | Federal display rule | West Virginia Division of Natural Resources |
| Wisconsin | Decals must be affixed three inches behind (toward the stern) and in line with the number. | Federal display rule | Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources |
| Wyoming | Decal must be placed behind the number (toward the stern) and be directly in line with the number. | Federal display rule | Wyoming Game and Fish Department |
Lettering tips that keep you legal
- Use plain block letters at least 3" tall. Our registration numbers are cut in a compliant block style.
- Pick a color that clearly contrasts with your hull: black or navy on white, white or silver on dark hulls.
- Space the groups evenly and leave room for the decal where your state wants it.
- Keep other numbers and lettering away from the registration number area on the bow.
Order your registration numbers
Vinyl numbers in black, white or silver, or custom colors and styles. Type your number on the product page before adding to cart.
Sources: 33 CFR 173.27 and 174.15 (eCFR, current as of October 8, 2026); state boater-education handbooks on boat-ed.com; state agency websites linked above. This page is a summary, not legal advice.