REGISTRATION, NUMBERING, AND
DOCUMENTATION

Registration

Mississippi law requires all sailboats and 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 to be registered and numbered for identification.  No person may operate or give permission for the operation of any boat powered by machinery unless it is registered and numbered in accordance with the law. 

The owner of any vessel required to be numbered has ten (10) days from the date of acquisition to register the boat.

• All undocumented vessels equipped with propulsion machinery must be registered in the state of principal use.
• Titling your boat is required in some state (similar to a motor vehicle title).
• A certificate of number (registration card) will be issued upon registering the vessel. The numbers assigned on the card must be properly displayed on your vessel and the registration card must be on board whenever the boat is underway.
• The owner/operator of a vessel must carry a valid certificate of number whenever the vessel is underway.
• When moved to a new state of principal use, the current certificate is normally valid for 90 days. Check with your state boating authority for any additional registration requirements.

Mississippi law prohibits the removal or alteration of awarded numbers or identification numbers affixed to vessels, boats, outboard motors and trailers has been amended.  No person may buy, sell or possess a vessel, boat, outboard motor or trailer on which any awarded number or identification number has been removed or altered.  

BOAT REGISTRATION FEES

Numbering

Registered boats must display assigned numbers properly. The state will issue you a registration number, which is found on your registration card. The number needs to be displayed in the following manner:

• Numbers must be permanently attached to the forward half of the vessel, generally the bow area.
• At least 3” in height. Block letters and numbers.
• Contrasting in color to the hull (black/white, dark red/white, etc)
• Properly spaced. There must be a separation, greater than the width of the number “1” or the letter “I”, between the prefix (state abbreviation), the numbers, and the suffix.
• The state currency decal must be displayed within 6” of the registration number.
• N umbers must be painted or permanently attached. With the exception of the state decal, no other letters or numbers may be displayed nearby.

Notification of Changes

Should you sell your boat, you are required to report such transaction within 15 days. If a numbered boat is lost, stolen or abandoned, the owner should first report it to the local authorities having jurisdiction then report to Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks. Report theft to the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries within five days of discovery.