Chapter 4: The Legal Requirements of Boating
Your Vessel’s Certificate of Number and Decal

Requirements for vessel registration vary from state to state. In Missouri, you must have a Missouri Certificate of Number and a validation decal to legally operate your vessel on public waters in Missouri. The only exceptions are:

• Non-motorized vessels
• Sailboats 12 feet or less in length
• Vessels registered in other states using Missouri waters for 60 consecutive days or less
• Vessels documented by the U.S. Coast Guard

The Certificate of Number and validation decals are obtained by submitting the proper application and fee to:

Department of Revenue
Boat Titling and Registration
P.O. Box 100
Jefferson City, MO 65105

Validation Decal

The registration number and validation decal must be displayed as follows:

• Number must be painted, applied as a decal or otherwise affixed to both sides of the bow.
• 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 sharply contrast with its background.
• Letters must be separated from the numbers by two-inch spaces. A hyphen may be placed within the two-inch space. For example: MO 3717 ZW or MO-3717-ZW.
• No other numbers may be displayed on either side of the bow.
• 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.

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

Other Facts About Titling and Registering Your Vessel

• All motorized vessels and sailboats over 12 feet in length must be titled.
• A Certificate of Number is valid for three years and will expire on June 30th of the third year. Owners of vessels that have already been registered will be sent a renewal notice to their residence without any action by the owner.
• If you change address, you must notify the Missouri Department of Revenue (MDOR) within 15 days of the change.
• If a numbered vessel is lost, stolen or abandoned, the owner should report it to local authorities and to the MDOR within 15 days of such event.
• If you lose or destroy your Certificate of Number or decal you must apply to the MDOR 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. (Read more about obtaining the U.S. Coast Guard's Certificate of Documentation.) Call the USCG at 1-800-799-8362 for more information. Owners must also apply to the Motor Vehicle Bureau for a Missouri documented vessel registration.

Registration Questions? Call the Missouri Department of Revenue at 573-751-4509. Also, you can call or visit one of the MDOR offices.

Registering and Titling Outboard Motors

Outboard motors, regardless of horsepower, (excluding electric trolling motors) are required to have a Certificate of Title and to be registered with the state of Missouri.

• Application for a title and for registration must be made within 60 days of purchase or being brought into the state.
• The registration of a motor is permanent as long as ownership is not changed.
• Owners of registered motors are issued a motor registration decal that should be displayed on the left side of the outboard motor.

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
• Should be recorded by the owner and put in a place other than the vessel in case warranty problems arise or the vessel is lost or stolen.

If the HIN is missing or nonexistent, such as with a home-built vessel, apply for an identification number with the Missouri Department of Revenue.

Application for Missouri Watercraft of Outboard Motor Title and Registration

Registration and title application forms can be obtained from:

• Any authorized boat registration agent
• Many marine dealers, marinas and bait shops
• Any Department of Revenue office.

Buying and Selling a Vessel

The procedure for transferring ownership of a vessel is outlined here. The steps are essentially the same whether the “seller” is a marine dealer, or the “buyer” is an individual purchasing a pre-owned vessel from an individual “seller.”

If a registered vessel is sold or otherwise transferred to another person:

• The “buyer” must apply for the Certificate of Number to be transferred to his or her name within 30 days from the date of purchase
• The Department of Revenue or an authorized boat dealer may issue a
  temporary operating permit, valid for 30 days, to permit lawful operation of the vessel until titling and registration with the department is complete.