Connecticut Boat Registration Numbers
Connecticut boat registration numbers must be at least three inches high as well as contrasting in color to the background.
The boat registration number must be in an easy to read block font and attached so it is distinctly visible and legible from at least 100 feet.
No other numbers should be displayed on the vessel. There must be spaces or hyphens between the prefix, the number and the suffix, for example: CT-1234-AA.
Conneticut law states that any owner desiring to obtain a vessel registration number or registration decal shall apply to the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles and shall file such proof of ownership of the vessel as the commissioner may require. Upon receipt of an application in proper form and the numbering fee, the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles shall assign a registration number or registration decal and provide the owner with a temporary certificate of number or temporary certificate of decal. The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles shall issue two registration decals and a permanent certificate. A registration decal shall be displayed on each side of the vessel at the bow in a manner prescribed by the Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection.
How To Research A Boat Registration Number
Boat registration numbers come at two levels, state and federal. Smaller recreational and commercial vessels use state registration. Owning and operating recreational and commercial vessels with larger carrying capacities require federal documentation. If you need to find a boat’s owner or verify whether or not there is a lien holder, research registration and documentation numbers at the state and federal levels to discover the vessel’s chain of ownership and any lien information.
Step 1
Locate the registration or documentation number on the exterior of the boat. State registration numbers are commonly displayed on both sides of the bow with 4-inch painted numbers or stickers. Federal numbers are displayed anywhere on the boat’s exterior that is visible from the water.
Step 2
Locate the vessel’s hull number stamped or cast into the transom of the boat, and one other place such as a deck beam or other permanent structural member located in the engine room or hold. Hull numbers identify the vessel using the manufacturer’s database. Use this number to confirm that the boat matches the registration number.
Step 3
References
- Capt. TJ Hinton commercial fishing vessel captain Gulf Coast, Miss.
Tips
Things You’ll Need
- Registration or federal documentation number
- Hull number
Alabama Boat Registration Numbers
Alabama boat registration numbers must be placed on each side of the bow of the vessel for which it was purchased, in such a position as will make it clearly visible at all times. The number must be displayed in three parts with a hyphen or space separating each part, for example: AL-1234-AA, and be of a color that contrasts with the background of the boat — dark on light or light on dark.
Boat registration number shall be BLOCK characters, not less that 76 mm in height, excluding borders and must be of good proportion. Characters of varying thickness, slanted characters, and scroll-type characters are not acceptable.
No number other than the number issued shall be displayed on either side of the bow. The validation decal must be affixed within 152 mm before or after and in line with the registration number on port and starboard bow. Your permanent boat registration number appears on the right-hand side of the certificate preceded by the letters AL. The number contains 1 to 4 digits plus the two letter suffix following the number. This registration number remains with the boat regardless of change of ownership within the state.
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Displaying Your Numbers & Decals
The “OH” number assigned to a boat stays with the boat for its lifetime in Ohio, regardless of ownership changes. ODNR assigns the OH number to your boat when it is first registered, but you, the boat owner, are responsible for properly displaying the boat’s OH number. NOTE: When you buy an Alternative Registration for Hand-powered Vessels, you are not required to display the OH number, but you must still display a valid decal.
The number assigned is in three parts beginning with “OH” followed by four numbers and two letters. Even if the number is not displayed, the boat registration card will list the boat’s OH number.
The tags or decals are the part of the registration that changes every three years. Traditional boat registrations come with two identical decals that are placed six inches from the OH number on each side of the boat. Alternative registrations display only one decal.
Wisconsin Registration And Titling Documents
Upon receipt of boat registration and titling application, required fees, and information related to sales tax paid, the department will issue:
- A certificate of registration. The Registration Certificate, also commonly referred to as the certificate of number card or registration card, is a small pocket-sized card made of durable water-resistant material and must be carried by the person operating the boat and available for inspection.
- Two expiration decals. The registration expiration decals are commonly also referred to as registration certification decals. Wisconsin DNR Registration Decals are color coded to match the expiration year of the registration. The decals must be attached to the boat prior to operation, see What you should know before you operate your boat for more information.
- Wisconsin Certificate of title. The Certificate of Title is the legal document indicating boat ownership and is a full 8 ½ X 11-inch sized sheet of paper. The certificate of title is required to transfer ownership.
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Where Should Your Registration Numbers Go
The purpose of a registration number is that it identifies who owns your boat. This can be immensely helpful in instances of theft, or if your boat is involved in any sort of accident. One interesting thing about boat registration is that if your
Similar to most other pontoon boat requirements and regulations, registration number placement varies from state to state. So it would be wise to look into your specific jurisdictions requirements when it comes to the specifics of your registration number placement.
But even then, a lot of them overlap when it comes to the basics. For the most part, your boat registration numbers should be secured on both sides of the bow or the front part of the boat. Other than that, they should also be:
- Clearly visible
- Need to be written in characters that contrast against the background
And this is where things get pretty hairy. When you think of your pontoon boat, youll realize that you dont really have a bow to speak of. Well, of course, your boat has a front side. But without a traditional bow the same way that other boats have, you might feel a little flustered as to where exactly you should put the numbers even with these guidelines.
Where Do I Check My Vessel Registration
Checking on your vessel registration is fairly simple. First, locate the registration numbers on your vessel.
These are usually found along either side and towards the front of the boat.
Next, locate the validation sticker and make sure the registration has not expired. You are required to have both the validation sticker and the registration number on your vessel at all times.
Need to apply for a new registration number or check on your current one? No problem.
You can usually do this through your states local DMV office, just as you would with a car.
Its an easy process so dont skip it!
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Wyoming Boat Registration Numbers
The the prefix “WY” should be followed by four numerals and a two letter suffix. A hyphen or a space should separate the three parts of the number, for example: WY 1234 AA. Wyoming boat registration numbers must be displayed on each side of the bow so that they are clearly readable from left to right.
Also, Wyoming boat registration numbers should be the only numbers in this position. The number should be in plain, block lettering and three inches in height. They should be in a color that will contrast with the color of the background.
Wyoming boating law states that except as provided by W.S. 41-13-103, all motorboats powered by propulsion machinery of any type and operated on the waters of this state shall be numbered.
Where To Display Your Boats Registration Number:
The registration number must be permanently attached to each side of the forward half of the boat. You must be able to read the numbers from left to right. The numbers must also be in a color the contrasts with the color of your boat.
Remember that requirements for the external display of numbers may vary from state to state. Be sure to check your state laws.
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Mississippi Boat Registration Numbers
Mississippi boat registration numbers should be affixed to both sides of the forward half of the vessel. These should be the only numbers on the forward half of the boat. The number must be in three inch, block style lettering. The numbers should be easily read left to right.
The boat registration number color must contrast with its background color.
Letters must be separated from the numbers by a space or hyphen, for example: MI 1234 AA. No other numbers may be displayed on either side of the bow.
Mississippi boating law states that All sailboats and every undocumented vessel equipped with propulsion machinery, whether or not such machinery is the principal source of propulsion, using the territorial and navigable waters of the State of Mississippi, and every such vessel owned in the State of Mississippi and using the high seas shall be numbered.
A Pleasure Craft Licence
Transport Canada has a requirement that pleasure-craft over 10 HP be licensed, requiring your boat license number to be displayed on the hull.
Please see below from their web page at
A pleasure craft licence provides a unique identification number – commonly referred to as the “licence number” – that an owner of a pleasure craft must display on the bow. This number helps law enforcement and search and rescue officials trace a pleasure craft to its owner. An owner must display the licence number on both sides of the bow of the pleasure craft, above the water line, in block characters not less than 7.5 centimetres high and in a colour that contrasts with the colour of the bow.
The licence is mandatory for all pleasure craft equipped with motors of 10 horsepower or more, including personal watercraft.
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Unreadable Or Damaged Hin
The Hull Identification Number is generated by the manufacturer and is a requirement for every boat.
If this number is faded, scratched out, or shows other signs of obvious tampering, that could be a sign the vessel was stolen.
If the HIN is easily readable, it is still good to check the HIN on registration or Title to make sure the numbers match up with the boat.
Florida Boat Registration Numbers & Stickers
All motorized vessels in Florida must be registered through the local County Tax Collector’s Office. After you register the vessel you will receive a valid Certificate of Registration, a Certificate of Ownership and registration decals. Vessels can be registered for a period of either one or two years, at the choice of the owner.
The following vessels are exempt from registration in the state of Florida:
- Non-motor-powered vessels less than 16 feet in length,
- Non-motor-powered canoes, kayaks, racing shells or rowing sculls, regardless of length.
- Vessels used exclusively on private lakes and ponds
- Vessels used exclusively as lifeboats
- Vessels owned by the U.S. government
- Vessels from out of state that have their state registration in full force and effect that are only in Florida for up to 90 days.
All other vessels must be registered and numbered within 30 days of purchase.
New vessels may use the Bill of Sale for up to 30 days if it contains the following: make of vessel, length of vessel, type of propulsion, Hull ID number, statement that FL is principal state used, name of purchaser, address of purchaser, purchaser signature, name of seller, seller signature, date of vessel sale, notice that purchasers authority to use vessel on Florida waters expires after 30 days of sale of vessel.
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Missouri Boat Registration Numbers
Missouri boat registration numbers consist of two letters followed by four numbers then two more letters that must be separated by spaces or hyphens, for example: MO 1234 AA. The boat registration number assigned must be attached to each side of the forward half of the vessel they should be the only numbers on the forward half.
They need to be in a contrasting color to the boat. Numbers should be in a block font and three inches in height.
Colorado Boat Registration Numbers
Colorado boat registration numbers should be affixed to both sides of the forward half of the vessel. These should be the only numbers on the forward half of the boat.
The boat registration number must be in three inch, block style lettering. The numbers should be easily read left to right. The registration number color must contrast with its background color.
Letters must be separated from the numbers by a space or hyphen, for example: CL 1234 AA. No other numbers may be displayed on either side of the bow.
Colorado law states It is unlawful for any person to operate or use a vessel on the waters of this state or to possess a vessel at a vessel staging area unless the vessel has been numbered and a certificate of the number, referred to in this article as a âregistrationâ, has been issued to the vessel by the division.
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North Dakota Boat Registration Numbers
North Dakota boat registration numbers should appear on either side of the bow and should consist of the abbreviation ND, three numbers, and two letters with a space or hyphen between, for example: ND-123-AA. They should be the only numbers on the forward half of the hull.
The boat registration numbers must be in a contrasted color to the hull in plain, block lettering that is three inches in height and they must be clearly visible and easily read.
North Dakota boating law states that The owner of each motorboat shall file an application for number and license with the department on forms approved by it. The application must be signed by the owner of the motorboat and must be accompanied by the appropriate fee. Upon receipt of the application in approved form, the department shall enter the same upon the records of its office and issue the applicant a certificate of number and license stating the number awarded to the motorboat and the name and address of the owner.
A Place For Everything And Everything In Its Place
First time boat owners typically dont know where to place registration numbers on a pontoon boat which could potentially lead to problems on the water. So before you set out on that pontoon trip, see to it that you have your registration numbers readily visible. This wont only let authorities know of your registration status, but should also give you a problem-free excursion.
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New York Boat Registration Numbers
New York boat registration numbers consists of the letters “NY”, four numbers, and two ending letters. A space or a hyphen should separate the first and last two letters from the four numbers, for example: NY 1234 AA. The numbers are required to be attached to both sides of the vesselâs bow the registration number should be the only number on the forward half of the boat.
Boat registration numbers should be able to be easily read from left to right plain, block lettering three inches in high. Furthermore, they should be in a color that contrasts with that of the hull.
New York boating law states that boats without a motor do not need to be registered. If you use a motor , regardless of the size of your boat or the motor, you must register your boat. Put your registration stickers 18 inches from the bow on both sides of the boat. This is approximately the same position that the stickers are located when a boat is also required to have registration numbers on the hull.
Arkansas Boat Registration Numbers
Arkansas boat registration numbers must be affixed to the forward half of each side of the vessel placed clearly visible.
The registration number must read from left to right and be at least 3 inches high. It much be in bold, block letters and of a contrasting color with its background.
The letters must be separated from the numbers by a space or hyphen, for example: AR-1234-AA. Note: No other numbers should be displayed on either side of the boat.
Arkansas boating law states that every motorboat on the waters of this state shall be numbered. No person shall operate or give permission for the operation of any motorboat on the waters of this state and the identifying number set forth in the certificate of number is displayed on each side of the bow of the motorboat.
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Placement Of Tx Number And Decal On Vessels
Expires on the last day of the month indicated.
- The TX number must be painted on, or otherwise attached to, each side of the forward half of the vessel, in such position as to provide easy identification.
- The TX number must read from left to right, be in BLOCK characters of good proportion not less than three inches in height and be of a color that contrasts with the background.
- The numerals must be separated from the prefix and the suffix by hyphens or equivalent spaces such as the following examples: TX 0001 GG or TX-0001-GG.
- The validation decal must be affixed in line with and three inches towards the rear of the boat from the TX number.
- The number printed on the decal must match the number listed on the certificate of number card issued for the vessel described on the card.
- Vessels registered as antique boats are permitted to display the registration decal on the left portion of the windshield. In the absence of a windshield, the registration decal must be attached to the certificate of number and made available for inspection when the boat is operated on public water.
