Boating, Paddling & Water Safety
Titles, registration & the boater card
A motorboat, or a sailboat over 12 feet, gets a title and registration from DOR. Paddlecraft do not. Some lake operators also need a boater card.
Start with your craft
What does your craft need?
Find what you're putting on the water in the left column. A motorboat carries the most paperwork; a paddle craft almost none — but everyone needs a life jacket.
| Your craft | Title & register? | Boater card? | Must carry |
|---|---|---|---|
| Motorboat | Yes — title and register with DOR. | Yes, if born after Jan. 1, 1984 and operating on a lake. | A wearable PFD per person, a fire extinguisher (per the USCG rules), a sound device, nav lights after dark, and your registration. |
| PWC / jet ski | Yes — title and register. | Yes, if born after Jan. 1, 1984. | A worn PFD for everyone aboard, the engine cutoff lanyard, a marine extinguisher, and your registration. |
| Sailboat over 12 ft | Yes — title and register. | Only if it's motorized and you were born after Jan. 1, 1984; sail-only has no card trigger. | A wearable PFD per person, a sound device, and nav lights after dark. |
| Canoe, kayak or paddleboard (paddle-only) | No — exempt at any length. | No. | One wearable PFD per person, a white light after dark, and sealed nonglass containers. |
| Rowboat (oar-only) | No — exempt. | No. | One wearable PFD per person and a white light after dark. |
| Rental motorboat / PWC | The livery's boat is already registered. | The card, or a temporary rental permit plus a safety briefing. | PFDs and the gear the livery provides — check it before you leave the dock. |
What you must title and register
You must title and register all motorized vessels (including jet skis) and sailboats longer than 12 feet, plus all outboard motors except trolling/electric ones.
No paperwork needed
What's exempt from registration
- Craft propelled only by paddle or oars — a canoe, kayak, paddleboard, or rowboat — regardless of length.
- Sailboats and sailboards 12 feet or less.
- Out-of-state boats in Missouri fewer than 60 consecutive days.
- U.S.-government boats and a ship's lifeboat.
- USCG-documented vessels aren't titled, but they must still be registered.
Title deadline
Title within 60 days. The penalty is $10 on the 61st day, plus $10 every 30 days after, up to a $30 maximum.
What it costs
Title & registration fees
Registration fees go up with the length of your boat. Use the Department of Revenue fee table before you pay.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Boat/vessel title fee | $7.50 |
| Registration (decal) — under 16 ft | $25 |
| Registration — 16 to under 26 ft | $55 |
| Registration — 26 to under 40 ft | $100 |
| Registration — 40 ft and over | $150 |
| Processing fee | $9 |
Plus state sales tax of 4.225% and local tax on the purchase price. (An outboard motor is $5 to title and $2 to register.)
The registration cycle
Registration runs for THREE years and expires June 30 of the year on the decal. There's no late-renewal penalty — but don't operate with expired decals.
Your MO numbers
Your MO numbers go on both sides of the bow in 3-inch contrasting block letters, reading left to right.
Coast Guard-documented vessels
A USCG-documented vessel isn't titled in Missouri, but it must be registered.
The boater card
Born after January 1, 1984? You need one for a motorized boat on a lake.
A Boating Safety Identification Card is required for anyone born after January 1, 1984 who operates a motorized vessel on the lakes of the state (RSMo 306.127).
The course: Take a NASBLA-approved course — free in person through marine troopers, the Coast Guard Auxiliary, or the Power Squadron, or a paid course online — and pass the test.
The fee: The permanent card costs $15. An approved online course may charge its own separate course fee.
What it covers: It applies to jet skis (PWC) and to out-of-state boaters (who can show a NASBLA card from their home state).
Driver's-license option: Missouri residents can add a boater indicator to a driver's license or nondriver ID instead of carrying the separate card.
Renters: Renters need the card or a temporary rental permit plus a safety briefing.
Who's exempt: Born on or before January 1, 1984? You're exempt — though a course is still a smart idea.
Boat paperwork questions people ask first
Does a canoe, kayak, or paddleboard need Missouri registration?
Not if it is only paddle powered. If you add a motor, the paperwork answer can change, so use the DOR watercraft page for your setup.
Who handles boat paperwork?
The Department of Revenue handles title and registration paperwork. The Water Patrol side of MSHP is the better place for boating law, education, and safety questions.
Do I need the boater card?
If you were born after January 1, 1984 and operate a motorized boat or personal watercraft on Missouri lakes, read the boater-card rule for your trip.
When do Missouri boat registrations renew?
Boat registrations run on a three-year cycle and expire June 30. Use your DOR renewal notice or DOR's current page for the exact fee and year.
Page feedback
See something off, missing, or unclear?
Send a quick note if a source, local detail, or answer needs a closer look, or if the page leaves you with a question.
Page feedback
Send a note
The page you're on will be included automatically.