In order to legally operate a motorized boat or sailboat in the state of Oklahoma, you must obtain a Certificate of Registration and validation decals. The Certificate of Registration must be carried on board during operation and be available for inspection by law enforcement officers.

Boat Registration Exemptions:

• Boats that have been federally documented by the Coast Guard.
• Boats that are only used for racing purposes.
• Boats that have been registered in another state and are using Oklahoma waters for 60 days or less.
• Human-powered craft (i.e. canoes and paddleboats).

The Certificate of Number and validation decals can be obtained from any motor license agent, or by submitting an application and fee to the Oklahoma Tax Commission. Registrations are valid for a period of 1 year or 3 years, and expire on June 30th of the year indicated on the validation decals. Boat owners will be mailed a renewal reminder prior to the expiration date.

Boat Registration Number and Decal Placement:

• Numbers must be applied as a decal, painted or permanently affixed to both sides of the bow (boat owners are not permitted to display any other numbers in this area).
• The registration number must be in bold block letters that are at least 3 inches high, 1.5 inches in stroke width and in a color that contrasts with the color of the boat.
• The numbers must be separated from the letters by a hyphen or by an equivalent space.
• The numbers must be read from left to right on both sides of the boat.
• Validation decals must be affixed on both sides of the boat behind and in line with the registration number.

Oklahoma’s Hull Identification Requirements

The owners of homemade boats and owners of motors that don’t have a Hull Identification Number, can obtain a Hull Identification Number by applying to Oklahoma’s Department of Public Safety, Marine Enforcement section of the Highway Patrol Division.

Other Boat Registration Info

• Boat owners must apply for a title within 30 days of the purchase or transfer of a boat. The boat may be operated for 30 days prior to obtaining the title and registration so long as the original bill of sale is carried on board.
• If the Certificate of Registration is lost or destroyed, boat owners must apply to the Oklahoma Tax Commission and pay a fee in order to obtain a replacement.

Documented Boats

• Boats that have been federally documented by the Coast Guard are required to display Oklahoma validation decals in the required location if they are operating on Oklahoma waters for more than 60 days.
• They are also required to display their boats name and hailing port as well as any federal documents that may be required by federal law.
• Documented boats must carry their Certificate of Number on board at all times.