It's the Law: Before Going Out on Your Vessel

All operators are required to obey laws that regulate your vessel's registration, titling, and operation.

Registering Your Vessel

You must have a valid Oklahoma Certificate of Registration and validation decals to legally operate your vessel 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)

See where to obtain applications 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 at least three-inch-high BLOCK letters.
• Number must be maintained to be legible.
• Number's color must contrast with its background.
• Letters must be separated from the numbers by a space or hyphen; for example: 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 are required to be titled and have a current Certificate of Registration.

• Application for a title and for registration of an outboard motor is made separately from the boat and also must be made within 30 days of purchase or transfer. Titling and registering a boat and its outboard motor will require completion of two of the application forms—one for the boat and one for the motor.
• 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.
• 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.

Other Facts about Titling and Registration

• 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.
• An 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 registration decal. 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 Oklahoma Tax Commission (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 also be registered.

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 using marine dealers' publications used to establish prices.

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 motor license agents statewide
• By calling 405-521-3221
• Over the Internet at www.oktax.state.ok.us