Requirements for vessel registration vary from state to state. In Florida, you must have a Florida certificate of registration and validation decal to legally operate a vessel on public waters in Florida. The only exceptions are non-motorized vessels in vessels used exclusively on private lakes and ponds.
The certificate of registration and validation decals are issued by the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles.
This certificate of registration must be on board and available for inspection by enforcement officers whenever the vessel is operated.
The registration number of validation decals must be displayed as follows:
The number must be painted, applied of the decal or otherwise affixed to both sides of the bow and maintained in a legible condition.
Numbers must read from left to right on both sides of the vessel.
Numbers must be at least 3 inch high bold block letters.
Numbers color must contrast with its background in be clearly observed.
Letters must be separated from the numbers by a hyphen or space equal to the letter width ; for example: “FL 1234 ZW” or “FL-1234-ZW”
Decal must be affixed to the port (left) side of the vessel within six inches of the registration number. The decal may precede or follow the number.
If your vessel requires registration, it is illegal to operate or give permission for the operation of such vessel unless it is registered and numbered as described above.