It's the Law: Before Going Out
All operators are required to obey laws that
regulate your vessel's registration, titling, and operation.
Registering Your Vessel
You must have an Oklahoma Certificate of Registration and validation decals to operate your vessel legally on Oklahoma 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 (however, documented vessels using Oklahoma waters over 60 days must be registered in Oklahoma and display current Oklahoma validation decals on each side of the bow as high above the water line as practical)
- Vessels used exclusively and soley for racing purposes
See where to obtain application forms for your Certificate of Registration and validation decals.
 The Certificate of Registration must be on board and available for inspection by an enforcement officer at all times.
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 BLOCK characters that are at least three‑inches high and one-half inch in stroke width.
- Number's color must contrast sharply 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.
Registering and Titling Outboard Motors
Outboard motors over 10 horsepower must 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 from the left (as viewed if you are standing behind the motor) and wrapping around to the rear.- The owner of an outboard motor chooses 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 motor registration decal.
Other Facts about Titling and Registering
- Titling of vessels is mandatory in Oklahoma. You must apply for a title within 30 days of the purchase or transfer of a vessel. 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.
- An owner chooses 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.
Fees for Registering a Vessel
The annual registration fee is based on the manufacturer's factory delivered price. If the manufacturer's price is missing, the price will be determined from marine dealers' publications used to establish prices.
| If the value of vessel is... |
Initial annual fee is ... |
$150 or less |
$1.00 |
Over $150 |
$1.00 plus $1.00 for
every $100 or portion of
$100 above a value of $150 |
For the first nine years, the annual registration fee will be reduced each year to 90% of the previous year’s fee. Then the fee will remain at the ninth year’s amount thereafter. |
Applications for Titles and Registration
Registration and title application forms can be obtained:
- From the Oklahoma Tax Commission, Motor Vehicle Division, 2501 North Lincoln Blvd., Oklahoma City, OK 73194
- From one of the 300 statewide motor license agent offices
- By calling 405-521-3221
- Over the Internet at www.oktax.state.ok.us
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