It's the Law: Before Going Out
All vessel operators are required to obey laws that regulate
your vessel's registration, operation, and boater education.
Registering and Titling Your Vessel
You must have a Missouri Certificate of Number and validation decals to operate your vessel legally on the public waters of 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
The Certificate of Number and validation decals are obtained by submitting the proper application and fee to:
Missouri Department of Revenue
Boat Titling and Registration
P.O. Box 100
Jefferson City, MO 65105
The Certificate of Number (Pocket Card) must be on board and available for inspection by an enforcement officer whenever the vessel is 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 above the waterline.
- Number must read from left to right on both sides of the bow.
- Number must be in at least 3"-high BLOCK letters.
- Number's color must sharply contrast with its background.
- Letters and numbers must be separated by at least a 2" space. For example: MO< 2" >3717< 2" >ZW.
- No other numbers may be displayed on either side of the bow.
- Decals 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 it or allow others to operate your vessel unless it is registered and numbered as described above.
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 are complete.
Other Facts About
Titling and Registration
- In addition to registration, all motorized vessels and all sailboats over 12 feet in length must be titled.
- A Certificate of Number is valid for three years and will expire on June 30 of the third year. Owners of vessels that have already been registered may be sent a renewal notice to their residence without action by the owner.
- If you change your 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.
- When registering your vessel, you must submit a paid personal property tax receipt or a statement of non-assessment from the previous year.
- If the vessel is not listed on the tax receipt, the applicant must submit one of the following:
- Corrected tax receipt that lists the vessel (if manually corrected, it must contain the county seal) or ...
- A letter signed by an authorized representative from the county tax collector's office that contains the county seal and indicates that taxes have been paid on the specific vessel.
Schedule
of Fees to Register and Title Your Vessel
| If the transaction is a ... |
Then your fee is ... |
| New title for a vessel |
$7.50 |
| New title for an outboard motor |
$5.00 |
| Registration of a vessel |
|
Class A |
$25.00 |
|
Class 1 |
$55.00 |
|
Class 2 |
$100.00 |
|
Class 3 |
$150.00 |
| Registration of a motor |
$2.00 |
| Transfer of title for a vessel |
$7.50 |
| Transfer of title for a motor |
$5.00 |
| Duplicate title for a vessel |
$8.50 |
| Duplicate title for a motor |
$5.00 |
| Title processing fee |
$2.50 |
| Registration processing fee |
$3.50 |
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 of entry into the state.
- The registration and title of a motor is permanent as long as ownership is not changed.
- Owners of registered motors are issued a motor registration decal which should be displayed on the left side of the outboard motor.
Where to Title and Register Your
Vessel
Your Certificate of Number (registration card), validation decals, and title can be obtained by submitting the proper application and fee to:
Missouri Department of Revenue
Boat Titling and Registration
P.O. Box 100
Jefferson City, MO 65105
For more information or forms, call the Missouri Department of Revenue at 573-751-4509.
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