--- title: California Boat Registration requirements - Numbers & Stickers description: Numbers must be painted or applied as a decal, where law enforcement officials can read it. image: https://21118949.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/21118949/courses/usa2022/agencies/california-boat-registration.png --- ![Boat registration in California](https://21118949.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/21118949/hubfs/courses/usa2022/agencies/registration-certificate-for-a-boat.png?width=500&height=500&name=registration-certificate-for-a-boat.png) ### Do I need to register my boat in California? If you own a boat over eight feet long or a boat/vessel with a motor (no matter the size), **you must register it with DMV** in order to legally operate it on California waterways. ### How do I know when to renew my boat registration in California?  You must renew your boat/vessel registration by December 31 of every odd-numbered year (for example, 2013, 2017, etc.), even if you do not use your boat/vessel. To remind you that you need to renew your registration, DMV will mail you a renewal notice 60 days before your registration expires. ### There are some boats/vessels that **do not** have to be registered in California: - Canoes, rowboats, or any boats/vessels that use paddles or oars - Sailboats shorter than eight feet long - Sailboards or parasails - A ship’s lifeboat - Seaplanes on the water - Boats that run on a track, such as amusement park rides - Floating structures that are tied to land and use power, water, and a sewage system on the shore. **Dinghies must be registered with DMV.** **Houseboats that have a motor must be registered with DMV.** **Commercial boats/vessels that weigh more than five net tons and are longer than 30 feet must be registered (documented) by the U.S. Coast Guard.** ### Boats/vessels that **need **to be registered in California:  - Dinghies must be registered with DMV. - Houseboats that have a motor must be registered with DMV. - Commercial boats/vessels that weigh more than five net tons and are longer than 30 feet must be registered (documented) by the U.S. Coast Guard. ## California boat registration numbers & stickers placement ![California boat registration numbers & stickers placement](https://21118949.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/21118949/hubfs/courses/usa2022/agencies/california-boat-registration.png?width=1100&height=751&name=california-boat-registration.png) - On the forward part of your vessel well above the waterline - **On both sides of the bow ** - Numbers must be painted or applied as a decal, where law enforcement officials can read it. - Letters and numbers are BLOCK style of at least 3 inches in height and must contrast in color with the hull.  - Letters and numbers are to read from left to right and have a space (CF 4252 AF) or hyphen (CF-3534-AF) to separate letters and numbers.    - Registration decals show the expiry date and must be displayed within 3 inches of the registration number on each side of the watercraft, toward the stern and in line with the numbers. - You must display only current registration decals and remove any expired ones. - The decals are valid for 2 years. ### To register your boat in California, you will need: - A completed [Application for Vessel Certificate of Number (BOAT 101)](https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/file/application-for-vessel-certificate-of-number-boat-101-pdf/) form.  - Proof of ownership, such as the original California Certificate of Ownership (title) or the out-of-state title (if it is currently registered in another state). - If the original certificate is lost or damaged, complete an [Application for Replacement or Transfer Title (REG 227)](https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/file/reg-227-pdf/) form to request a copy. - Applicable [fees](https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/vehicle-registration/registration-fees/). - If you own a trailer for your boat/vessel, you need to [register it separately](https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/). - [** Follow Ace Boater on YouTube ](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJABNcQHyTGe3ta_lZJ4exw) - [** Join Ace Boater on Facebook ](https://www.facebook.com/AceBoater) - [** Contacts Us ](https://aceboater.com/usa/en/contact) [![Ace Boater - Boating license and exam online](https://21118949.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/21118949/aceboater/brand/ace-boater.svg)](https://aceboater.com/en-us) #### Boating safety course and boating exam accredited in USA [↑](https://aceboater.com/en-us/california-boat-registration-numbers#top) ```json { "@context" : "http://schema.org", "@type" : "WebPage", "breadcrumb" : { "@type" : "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement" : [ { "@type" : "ListItem", "item" : { "@id" : "/en-us", "@type" : "WebPage", "name" : "Home" }, "position" : 1 }, { "@type" : "ListItem", "item" : { "@id" : "https://aceboater.com/en-us/california", "@type" : "WebPage", "name" : "California Boating License" }, "position" : 2 }, { "@type" : "ListItem", "item" : { "@id" : "https://aceboater.com/en-us/california-boating-laws", "@type" : "WebPage", "name" : "California boating laws and regulations" }, "position" : 3 }, { "@type" : "ListItem", "item" : { "@id" : "https://aceboater.com/en-us/california-boat-registration-numbers", "@type" : "WebPage", "name" : "California Boat Registration requirements - 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