Boat Registration Numbers and Validation Decals: Federal Display Rules, State Placement and Renewals

Before you put anything on the hull, compare the number on your certificate with the HIN on the certificate and the HIN on the boat. Texas reminds owners that the number on the decal must match the number on the certificate. A typo now means ordering everything twice.

Under 33 CFR 173.27, each 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 tall
• Contrast with the background and be clearly visible and readable
• Have a space or hyphen between the letter and number groups equal to the width of a letter (other than "I") or a number (other than "1"), for example DC 5678 EF or DC-5678-EF
• Read from left to right on both sides

And under 33 CFR 173.19, no other numbers may appear on the forward half of the boat. Leave off old registration numbers, racing numbers and phone numbers there.

• Font: plain block letters. No script, italics, outlines only, or shadow-only styles. BoatUS notes a multicolored or patterned background may need a solid block of color behind the numbers so they're readable.
• Size: at least 3 inches tall. Bigger is fine and easier to read on large boats.
• Color: dark numbers on a light hull or light numbers on a dark hull.
• Material: marine-grade vinyl, paint or metal characters. Minnesota, for example, accepts decals, metal or paint, and sets its own stroke width and spacing (stroke between 1/2 and 3/4 inch, 3 to 4 inches between letter and number groups, 1/2 to 3/4 inch between characters). Check whether your state has similar specs.
• Inflatables: BoatUS suggests getting numbers from the boat's maker in a material and adhesive made for that fabric.

Choose a flat, visible area on each side of the bow, above the waterline and below the rub rail, where a person in another boat can read it. If the hull shape hides numbers (some sailboats, PWCs or boats with big flares), 33 CFR 173.27 allows a backing plate attached to the forward half so the number is visible from each side.

BoatUS cautions that numbers on glass or plastic windows, or on placards (signboards), aren't considered permanent unless they're bolted or screwed to the hull or superstructure. Put them on the hull.

Federal standards for state systems (33 CFR 174.15) say validation stickers are about 3 inches square and are displayed within 6 inches of the number. Each state then sets the exact position. Examples:

• Texas: in line with the TX number and 3 inches toward the stern.
• Minnesota: toward the stern, no more than 4 inches from the first or last character, on each side.
• Florida: a county tax collector's vessel page says the decal goes on the port (left) side of the boat, and that Florida registrations expire at midnight on the owner's birthday (June 30 for boats titled to a business). Florida readers should confirm placement with their tax collector.

BoatUS notes that whether the decal goes in front of or behind the numbers depends on the state. Look up your state's rule before you apply the numbers, so you leave room.

Wash the area, then wipe it with glass cleaner or isopropyl alcohol and let it dry. Remove old numbers and adhesive first (see our decals and graphics guide). BoatUS's lettering how-to recommends the dry method for small items like registration numbers, which works down to about 45°F; larger graphics go on better with the wet method between about 65°F and 85°F.

Measure the same distance back from the bow and up from the waterline (or down from the rub rail) on both sides. Run a strip of masking tape as a level baseline. Tape the number strip in place and step back to check it from a distance. Leave the decal gap on the correct end.

With the number strip taped in position, run a piece of masking tape vertically through the middle as a hinge. Lift one half, peel the backing to the center, cut it off, and squeegee from the center outward. Repeat on the other half. Squeegee firmly, then peel the transfer tape back over itself slowly. Prick any bubbles with a pin and press them flat.

Apply each decal to clean, dry hull in the spot your state requires. Remove last period's decals unless your state says otherwise; old decals stacked next to the number can confuse an officer. Texas notes that antique-registered boats may put the decal on the left part of the windshield, a rare exception; follow your state's wording.

If your boat is Coast Guard documented:

• Remove state numbers. Federal rules (33 CFR 173.33) require the owner to remove the number and validation sticker when the boat is documented.
• Name and hailing port: for a boat documented only for recreation, 46 CFR 67.123 requires the name and hailing port marked together on a clearly visible exterior part of the hull, in Latin letters or Arabic or Roman numerals at least 4 inches tall. BoatUS notes there are no font or color rules, and the hailing port must include a place and a state (the state can be abbreviated). Many owners put name and hailing port on the stern and the name on both bows; that's allowed but not required for recreational boats.
• Official number: 46 CFR 67.121 requires the official number, preceded by "NO.", in block Arabic numerals at least 3 inches tall, permanently fixed on a visible interior structural part of the hull so that removing it would be obvious.
• State decal: many states still require documented boats used there to register and display a decal. Texas, for example, says documented boats that need Texas registration may show only the validation decal on both sides of the bow, not the TX number.

33 CFR 173.21 requires the operator to have a valid certificate of number (or temporary certificate) on board, in hard copy or digital form, and to show it to a law enforcement officer on request. Some states have their own rules about digital copies, so keep a paper copy in a waterproof bag too. Rental boats under 26 feet rented for less than a week can keep the certificate ashore with a signed rental agreement aboard.

Under 33 CFR 173.29, the owner must notify the state within 15 days of an address change, theft or recovery, a lost or destroyed certificate, a transfer of ownership, or the boat's destruction or abandonment. When a boat moves to a new state of principal use, the old number stays valid there for 60 days; after that, register in the new state and remove the old numbers and decal (33 CFR 173.17 and 173.33).

• BoatUS says registration is usually renewed every year or two, depending on the state. Find your expiration date on the certificate and decal.
• Put a reminder in your phone a month before it expires, and another for the week before.
• Many states renew online and mail new decals; allow time for mail before your first trip.
• Documented boats renew with the Coast Guard's National Vessel Documentation Center. BoatUS (2020) reported that recreational documentation moved to five-year renewals in 2022. The current federal fee schedule (46 CFR 67.550, checked on the eCFR in October 2026) lets a recreational certificate be renewed for one to five years at $26 per year (so $130 for five years), with an extra charge for a late renewal. Fees can change, so confirm on the NVDC site before you pay.
• Ignore look-alike renewal letters. BoatUS warns that some third-party companies send official-looking documentation renewal notices that point to websites resembling the Coast Guard's and charge much more. The Coast Guard says these companies don't act for it and can't issue documentation. Renew directly.