
If you're registering your boat or watercraft in Wisconsin, you'll need to follow the state's boat number registration decal display laws. These laws dictate that the registration number must be displayed on both sides of the forward half of the boat, with the number reading from left to right. The numbers must be at least 3 inches high and in block letters, with a clear contrast between the colour of the numbers and the boat itself.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location | Both port and starboard sides of the bow |
| Direction | Left to right |
| Height | 3" |
| Spacing | 2-3" between letters and numbers |
| Format | BLOCK letters |
| Colour | Must contrast with the colour of the boat |
| Legibility | Clearly visible and legible |
| Exemptions | US Coast Guard documented boats |
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What You'll Learn
- The registration number must be displayed on both sides of the forward half of the boat
- The number must be at least 3 high and in block letters
- The number must be clearly visible and legible, with a colour contrast to the boat
- Letters must be separated from numbers by a space of at least 2
- Two-toned and camouflage numbers are not legal

The registration number must be displayed on both sides of the forward half of the boat
If you are registering your boat or watercraft in Wisconsin, you will need to abide by the Wisconsin boat number registration decal display laws. The registration number must be displayed on both sides of the forward half of the boat. This means that the number must be placed on each side of the bow, and it must be read from left to right. The number must be at least 3" high in block letters, and it must contrast with the colour of the boat so that it is clearly visible and legible. Letters must be separated from the numbers by a space of at least two inches, and two-toned or camouflage numbers are not permitted.
In Wisconsin, the certificate of number and the certificate of registration are combined into the same waterproof card. Boat owners may also operate on the authority of a 60-day temporary operating receipt if the boat was recently registered and the owner has not yet received registration materials in the mail.
Boat registration numbers can be purchased as decals, which can be easily installed and will give your boat numbers a painted-on look. These decals are sold as a set for the right and left sides of the boat.
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The number must be at least 3 high and in block letters
Boat registration numbers in Wisconsin must be displayed on both sides of the forward half of the boat, with the number reading from left to right. The numbers must be at least 3 inches high and in block letters. They must be clearly visible and legible, with a contrast in colour to the boat. Letters must be separated from the numbers by a space of at least two inches. Two-toned and camouflage numbers are not permitted.
The registration number can be found on the certificate of number card, which is combined with the certificate of registration on the same waterproof card. Boat owners may also operate on the authority of a 60-day temporary operating receipt if the boat was recently registered and the owner has not yet received their registration materials.
Boat registration numbers can be purchased as decals, which can be easily installed and will give the numbers a painted-on look.
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The number must be clearly visible and legible, with a colour contrast to the boat
Boat registration numbers in Wisconsin must be displayed on both sides of the forward half of the boat, with the number reading from left to right. The numbers must be at least 3" high and in block letters, with a space of at least two inches between the letters and numbers. The numbers must also contrast with the colour of the boat and be clearly visible and legible. This means that they should stand out against the colour of the boat and be easy to read. Two-toned and camouflage numbers are not permitted.
Boat owners in Wisconsin can purchase registration decals, which give the numbers a painted-on look. These are available as a set for the right and left sides of the boat. The certificate of number and the certificate of registration are combined into the same waterproof card in Wisconsin, which must be displayed on the boat. Alternatively, if the boat has been recently registered, the owner can operate the boat with a 60-day temporary operating receipt until they receive their registration card in the mail.
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Letters must be separated from numbers by a space of at least 2
In Wisconsin, boat registration numbers must be displayed on both port and starboard sides of the bow. The numbers must be at least 3" high and be clearly visible and legible. Letters must be separated from the numbers by a space of at least 2". The registration number must be displayed in BLOCK letters and read from left to right.
In Wisconsin, the certificate of number and the certificate of registration are combined into the same waterproof card. Boat owners may also operate on the authority of a 60-day temporary operating receipt if the boat was recently registered and the owner has not received registration materials in the mail.
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Two-toned and camouflage numbers are not legal
Boat registration numbers in Wisconsin must be displayed on both the port and starboard sides of the bow. The numbers must be at least 3" high and be clearly visible and legible. They must be placed on each side of the forward half of the boat and read from left to right. Two-toned and camouflage numbers are not legal and should not be used. The numbers must contrast with the colour of the boat.
In Wisconsin, the certificate of number and the certificate of registration are combined into the same waterproof card. Boat owners may also operate on the authority of a 60-day temporary operating receipt if the boat was recently registered and the owner has not received registration materials in the mail.
Boat numbers can be installed in one strip, giving them a painted-on look. All US states require 3" tall numbers and letters, with 2 or 3 inches between each letter and number.
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Frequently asked questions
The registration number must be displayed on both port and starboard sides of the bow.
The number must be at least 3" high in block letters, with a 2" space between letters and numbers. The colour must contrast with the boat's colour and be clearly visible and legible.
Your registration number will be on your certificate of number card.











































