Boat Registration

The Oklahoma Tax Commission (OTC) wants to help you float your boat or personal watercraft (PWC). In order for you to do so legally, you must register your boat or outboard motor and pay a tag fee.

What is Required?

In order to operate your boat on Oklahoma waters legally, you must have an Oklahoma certificate of registration and a validation decal. There are exceptions, though.

If you are from out of state and will only be using Oklahoma waters for fewer than 60 days, you will not need Oklahoma registration, as long as the boat is currently registered in another state. You also do not need to register if your boat is documented by the U.S. Coast Guard.

However, in either case, you will need to register if you plan to use your boat on Oklahoma waters for more than 60 days. Who knows―you may decide to move to Oklahoma.

Registering Your Boat

All boats and PWC must be registered within 30 days of purchase. To register your boat and to get the proper validation decal for display, you can download the necessary boat registration form and the Boat or Outboard Motor Serial Number Confirmation Form. Both forms can be downloaded using the free Adobe Reader.

You may also obtain these forms from your local tag agent or by calling the OTC at (405) 521-3221.

Required Information

Before you can complete your boat registration form, you'll need to know a few details about your boat. Here are a few of the details you'll need:

• Boat length (measure from tip of bow to stern).

• Whether it has an inboard or outboard motor.

• Vessel number.

• Serial or hull number.

• Lien information (if required).

If you are purchasing a new boat, most dealers will assist you with registering your boat. If you are purchasing a boat from a private party or if you are buying a boat that has been registered in Oklahoma, most of the required information will be on the previous paperwork.

Outboard Motors

If your boat has an outboard motor rated at over 10 HP, it will require a separate registration. You can download a copy of the outboard motor registration form. It is the same form that you will use to register the boat. You will need one form for the boat and one for the motor, if it is an outboard.

You will be issued a tag for the motor. This tag must be displayed on the motor cowling from the left side to the rear of the motor.

Registration Fees

Registration fees for boats in Oklahoma are based on the dollar value of the boat and motor. Here is a breakdown of those fees:

• Value under $150 the fee is $1.

• Value over $150 the fee is $1, plus $1 for every $100 or part of $100 above a value of $150.

For older or used boats, the values will be computed based on marine dealer's publications.

Annual Registration

Boat registrations are good for one year and expire each year on June 30. You will receive a registration reminder postcard in the mail. Be sure to change your address with your local tag agent if you move. You may renew your boat's registration by mail or at any local tag agent's office.

Decal and Number Display

You must display your validation decal and registration number on your boat. It must appear on both sides of the bow as far above the waterline as possible. Reading from left to right, you must display the validation decal first followed by the registration number.

The graphics should be at least three inches high and half an inch stroke block letters. Letters must be separated from numbers by a space or by a hyphen. Check out a a good graphic of an online example. Do not display any other letters or number on this part of your boat.

Lost or Destroyed Tags

If your boat or motor validation tags are lost or destroyed, you may apply for duplicate tags at your local tag agent's office or at the offices of the OTC. The fee for a duplicate tag is $10.