Chapter 4: The Legal Requirements of Boating
Your Vessel's Certificate of Registration and Decals

Requirements for vessel registration vary from state to state. In Oklahoma, you must have an Oklahoma Certificate of Registration and validation decals to operate your vessel legally on public waters. The only exceptions are:

• Vessels registered in other states using Oklahoma waters for 60 days or less
• Vessels documented by the U.S. Coast Guard using Oklahoma waters for 60 days or less
• Vessels used exclusively and solely for racing purposes

The Certificate of Registration and validation decals are obtained by going to any motor license agent (tag agent) office or by mailing the proper application and fee to:

Oklahoma Tax Commission
Motor Vehicle Division
2501 North Lincoln Blvd.
Oklahoma City, OK 73194

The Certificate of Registration must be on board and available for inspection by an enforcement officer whenever the vessel is being operated.

The registration number and validation decals must be displayed as follows.

• 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.
• Number must read from left to right on both sides of the bow.
• Number must be in at least three-inch-high BLOCK letters.
• Number’s color must contrast with its background.
• Letters must be separated from the numbers by a space or hyphen: OK 3717 ZW or OK-3717-ZW.
• No other numbers may be displayed on either side of the bow.
• Decals must be affixed on both sides of the bow, behind (towards the stern) and in line with the number.

If your vessel requires registration, it is illegal to operate it or allow others to operate your vessel unless it is registered and numbered as described above.

PWCs also are required to display the certificate’s number and validation decals

Other Facts About Titling and Registering Your Vessel

Titling of vessels is mandatory in Oklahoma. You must apply for a title within 30 days of the purchase or transfer. You may operate your vessel within the first 30 days of ownership, prior to applying for your title and registration, if you carry on board the original bill of sale for your vessel.

A vessel owner may choose to have their vessel registered for a one-year or a three-year period. Registration expires on June 30 of the year indicated on the validation decals. Renewal notices are mailed to all owners of registered vessels before their date of expiration. You may renew the registration by mail or in person at a motor license agent or Oklahoma Tax Commission (OTC) office.

If you lose or destroy your Certificate of Registration or decal, you must apply to the OTC for a duplicate and submit a processing fee.

Larger recreational vessels owned by U.S. citizens, may (at the option of the owner) be documented by the U.S. Coast Guard. Call the USCG at 1-800-799-8362 for more information.

• Documented vessels must comply with the laws of the state of Oklahoma.
• Documented vessels using Oklahoma waters in excess of 60 days must be registered in Oklahoma and display the current Oklahoma registration decals on each side of the bow as high above the water line as practical.
• Documented vessels are required to display the vessel’s name, hailing port, and federal documentation number according to federal law, rules, and regulations.
• The current certificate of registration must be carried on board the vessel.

Registering and Titling Outboard Motors

Outboard motors over 10 horsepower are required to be titled and have a current Certificate of Registration.

• Application for a title and registration of an outboard motor is made separately from the boat and also must be made within 30 days of the purchase or transfer. Titling and registering a boat and its outboard motor requires completion of two application forms—one for the boat and one for the motor.
• Owners of registered motors are issued a motor registration decal that should be displayed on the upper back side of the motor beginning on the left (as viewed if you are standing behind the motor) and wrapping around to the rear.
• The owner of an outboard motor may choose to have the motor registered for a one-year or a three-year period. Registration expires on June 30 of the year indicated on the registration decal.

Outboard Motor Registration Decal Owners of registered motors are issued this decal, which should be displayed on the upper back side of the motor cowling starting from the left side and extending to the rear.

Registration Questions? Call the Oklahoma Tax Commission at 405‑521‑3221. Also, you can call or visit an Oklahoma Tax Commission office.

Hull Identification Number

The Hull Identification Number (HIN) is a unique, 12-digit number assigned by the manufacturer to vessels built after 1972.

Hull Identification Numbers:

• Distinguish one vessel from another­—the same as serial numbers distinguish one car from another.
• Are engraved in the fiberglass or on a metal plate permanently attached to the transom.

You should write down your HIN and put it in a place separate from your vessel in case warranty problems arise or your vessel is stolen.

Homemade vessels and vessels or motors without HIN or serial numbers may be assigned hull identification numbers only by the Department of Public Safety, Lake Patrol Section of the Highway Patrol Division.