Boat Registration & Renewal

For all motorized boats, you must complete a boat registration application**, attach any necessary documents, sign, and mail the paperwork to MDWFP Headquarters (MDWFP Boat Registration, 1505 Eastover Dr., Jackson, MS 39211). Acceptable payment methods are check, cashier’s check, or money order when mailed. You may pick up a Boat Registration Application form from:

• Any local tax collector’s office
• Most places where boats are sold or serviced
• Any MDWFP Regional Office
• MDWFP Headquarters in Jackson
• To download and print, click here for an individual application or here for a business* application. *Business applications must be completed in person or through the mail. 

If you purchased your boat new / used from a dealer, you must:

• Provide a copy of the sales invoice
• If the boat was purchased at an out-of-state dealer, provide proof of payment of Mississippi sales tax. (Mississippi sales tax can be paid at your local tax collector’s office)

If you purchased your boat from an individual who previously registered/titled the boat in Mississippi, you must:

• Submit proof of previous registration
• Submit the original boat/motor title(s) (if applicable)
• Submit a witnessed or notarized bill of sale

If you purchased your boat from an individual who previously registered/titled the boat in another state, you must:

• Submit proof of previous registration
• Submit a copy of the boat title (if the boat was titled in the previous owner’s name)
• Submit a witnessed or notarized bill of sale

**The boat registration application requires a 12-Digit Hull Identification Number

Once we receive your boat registration application, required documents, and process payment — you will be issued a boat registration card, which lists the registration number assigned to your boat, and two decals. The decals should be displayed within six (6) inches of the registration number. Registration numbers issued by MDWFP are the boat's permanent identification. The same registration number will be used as identification if the boat is transferred to a new owner. You must keep your boat registration card on board the vessel when in operation. 

• 12-Digit Hull Number (see boat inspection question if not found)
• Present Registration Number (if previously registered)
• Total Length
• Make and Model
• Model Year

• The printed legal name and signature of:

  - Buyer (and co-buyer, if applicable) 

  - Seller (and co-seller, if applicable) 

  - One witness or notary 

  OR

• Completely fill out the "transfer of ownership" section of corresponding boat/motor's title

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• Optional Information

  - Motor serial number, manufacturer, model year, and horsepower

  - Trailer Serial Number

Boat inspections are only required for vessels without a hull identification number, which is typically found on the right transom. 

This number should contain 12-digits if the boat was manufactured after November, 1972. Boats manufactured prior to 1972 will have a serial number. If your boat does not have a 12-digit Hull Identification Number or has an incorrect Hull Identification Number, your boat must be inspected by an MDWFP officer. You must complete a MDWFP Boat Inspection Form (Click Here) and reach out to a Regional Office nearest to you or the Jackson Office.

• North Region Enid Office, Location: 457 CR 36 Enid, MS 38927 (Mailing Address: P.O. Box 100 Enid, MS 38927 (662-563-6222)
• North Region Tupelo Office, Location: 242 County Road 995, Tupelo, MS 38804, (662-840-5172)
• Central Regional Office, Turcotte Lab, 506 Hwy 43 S, Canton, MS 39046, (601-859-3421)
• South Regional Office, 1201 N. Clark Ave. Magnolia, MS 39652, (601-783-2911)
• MDWFP Headquarters, 1505 Eastover Dr. Jackson, MS 39211, (601-432-2176)

Once a boat is registered, a notice to renew your boat registration will be mailed to the boat’s owner by MDWFP 60 days before the expiration date. For convenience and faster service, you may renew your boat registration:

• In-Person: wherever hunting and fishing license are sold
• By Phone: 1-800-5GO-HUNT
• By Mail: MDWFP Boat Registration, 1505 Eastover Dr. Jackson, MS 39211
• Can download application from "Additional Resources" above. 

You should notify MDWFP's Boat Registration Office of any address changes.

Applications take approximately four weeks to be processed and the corresponding cards/decals and titles to be placed in the mail. Peak boat application season is March to August each year. During this time, application approval may take additional time. While waiting for approval, an applicant must have either their electronic submission receipt or the completely filled-out registration stub found at the bottom of a paper boat application, both are valid for sixty days. 

Boat Registrations are valid for three consecutive years, beginning the day the boat is registered. The expiration date is printed on your boat registration card. You can renew your boat registration 60 days prior to its expiration date.  

If you have recently purchased a vessel, you have 10 days from the date of purchase to complete the registration process under the new owner's name.

During the processing of your boat registration at MDWFP Headquarters, your boat will be assigned a number to be displayed on your boat. This number consists of both alphabetical and numerical characters (Ex: MI-0000-AB). This number will be on the boat registration card which is mailed to the primary owner of the boat. When MDWFP issues a registration number, the number is permanently assigned to that boat as identification. The same registration number will be used if the boat is transferred to a new owner. You must keep your boat registration card onboard of the vessel when in operation.

Your registration number consists of three parts:

1. Symbol “MI,” which designates Mississippi
2. Numerical group, having a maximum of four digits
3. Alphabetical group, having a maximum of two letters.

Each part shall be separated by hyphens or equivalent spaces when placed on the boat. 

Your registration number shall be painted on or attached to each side of the bow of the corresponding vessel. The numbers shall be placed on each side of the forward half of the vessel in such a position as to provide clear legibility for identification. The numbers shall read from left to right and shall be in block characters of good proportion, not less than three inches (3”) in height. The numbers shall be of a color which will contrast with the color of the background and so maintained as to be clearly visible and legible, i.e., dark numbers on a light background, or light numbers on a dark background. No other numbers shall be carried on the bow of such vessel. The decals should be displayed within six (6”) inches of the numbers.

If your boat registration is current and your boat registration card or boat decals are lost, stolen, or you simply need an additional card, you may purchase a duplicate: 

• By Phone: 1-800-5GO-HUNT
• In person at any MDWFP agency location
• Online: Visit boating.outdoors.ms

You should notify MDWFP Boat Registration of any address change. 

Boat and motor titling is OPTIONAL in Mississippi. The boat must be registered before being titled. You must complete a boat and/or motor title application, sign, and have the application(s) notarized. Title applications are only processed at MDWFP Headquarters. You can complete this process via mail or in person. Mail the title application(s) to MDWFP Headquarters (MDWFP Title Department, 1505 Eastover Dr. Jackson, MS 39211). Acceptable payment methods are check, cashier’s check, or money order, when mailing your title application(s). 

You can pick up a boat and/or motor title application form from: 

1. Any MDWFP Regional Offices
2. MDWFP Headquarters in Jackson
3. To download and print, click here for a boat application or here for a motor application. 

If requesting a duplicate boat and/or motor title, you must:

• Complete, sign, and have notarized a boat/motor title application
• Provide a WRITTEN statement explaining the circumstances of its loss, theft, mutilation, or destruction. 

Title applications are only processed at MDWFP Headquarters. You can complete this process via mail or in person.

The Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks does not title boat trailers. Your boat trailer can be titled at your local county tax collector’s office.

When you sell your boat, you are required to inform MDWFP Headquarters by calling the Boat Registration Office at 601-432-2055.

You must provide the new owner a copy of the current registration. The new owner must complete a boat registration application and provide the appropriate documents to transfer the registration. The original registration numbers issued to that boat will be transferred to the new owner. 

If a registered boat is stolen, lost, or abandoned, the owner should first report it to the local authorities having jurisdiction. Then it should be reported to Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks' Boat Registration Office by contacting 601-432-2055. 

If you have misplaced or lost your boater education card, you can conveniently purchase a duplicate card and download your temporary card online. The fee for a duplicate card is $3.00. 

Learn more by clicking here.