It's the Law: Before Going Out
Registering Documented Vessels
Missouri law requires the owner of any vessel documented by the
U.S. Coast Guard to apply for a documented vessel certificate of
registration; pay a registration fee based on the length of the
vessel; and, if it is a recreational vessel, pay
an "in-lieu" watercraft tax.
To comply with this law, you must submit all of the following
to the Missouri Department of Revenue:
- An Application for Documented Boat Certificate of Registration
(DOR4398) properly completed and signed
- A $7.50 certification fee
- A copy of the Certificate of Documentation issued by the U.S.
Coast Guard as proof of ownership
- Appropriate registration fee based on the length of the vessel.
| Length of Vessel |
Registration Fees |
| Under 16 feet in length |
$25.00 |
| 16 feet but less than 26 feet |
$55.00 |
| 26 feet but less than 40 feet |
$100.00 |
| 40 feet and over |
$150.00 |
| Processing fee |
$6.00 |
- Upon receipt of these documents, the following will be issued:
- A Documented Boat Certificate of Registration and
...
- A set of validation decals.
- Federal law prohibits the State of Missouri from issuing a
certificate of title to a documented vessel.
- One decal must be displayed in a clearly visible location on
each side of the forward half of the vessel. The registration
tab must be affixed to the lower left corner of the Documented
Boat Certificate of Registration.
- The Documented Boat Certificate of Registration and registration
decals must be renewed every three years.
- In order to avoid payment of a delinquency fee ($10.00 for
each 30 days not to exceed $30.00), a Missouri resident must
make application for a Documented Boat Certificate of Registration
within thirty (30) days after acquiring or bringing the vessel
into this state. A non-resident must make application within
sixty (60) days of acquiring a vessel in this state or if the
vessel will be kept in this state for more than sixty (60) consecutive
days.
- The Documented Boat Certificate of Registration must
be carried on board the vessel and be available for inspection
when the vessel is being operated.
- The Department of Revenue may issue a temporary certificate
of registration for the operation of a documented vessel. This
temporary registration will be valid for sixty (60) days from
the date of issue. The temporary permit may be purchased from
the Department of Revenue or an authorized boat dealer for a
fee of $5.00. Temporary registration permits are non-transferable
or renewable. Note: Documented vessel may not be operated legally
in Missouri until either a temporary or permanent registration
has been obtained.
- Federal documentation questions should be directed to the U.S.
Coast Guard National Vessel Documentation Center at 1-800-799-8362.
In-lieu Watercraft Tax
The in-lieu tax is based on the purchase price of the vessel as
outlined below:
| Purchase Price of Watercraft |
Tax Due |
| Less than $15,000 |
$500 |
| $15,001 to $30,000 |
$650 |
| $30,001 to $50,000 |
$1,000 |
| $50,001 to $100,000 |
$1,400 |
| $100,001 to $150,000 |
$2,000 |
| $150,001 to $200,000 |
$3,000 |
| $200,001 to $250,000 |
$4,000 |
| $250,001 to $300,000 |
$5,000 |
| $300,001 to $350,000 |
$5,500 |
| $350,001 to $400,000 |
$6,000 |
| $400,001 to $450,000 |
$6,500 |
| $450,001 to $500,000 |
$7,500 |
| $500,001 to $550,000 |
$8,500 |
| $550,001 to $650,000 |
$9,500 |
| $650,001 to $750,000 |
$10,500 |
| $750,001 and above |
Add an additional $1,500
for each $100,000 increment. |
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