California Boat Registration Lettering

California is unique in that it can be considerably different weather in different parts of the state. Regardless, there are some great boating destinations. The only catch, if you purchase a boat in California make sure it meets the state registration number guidelines. We have that information below along with an easy to use designer that walks you through purchasing.

General information about numbers

We'll guide you through the process of creating California boat numbers when you click design now. Each state has specific verbiage as to their requirements. See the California specific section below. The general requirements for boat registrations numbers are as follows:

  • A minimum of 3" letter height
  • A block style font such as (impact or arial black)
  • Generally located on the forward hull portion of the boat next to the DNR tag
  • A contrasting color to base color of your boat.
  • Letters separated by a space or a dash (-)

California Specific Registration Laws

Please review your state specific requirements before purchasing identification decals as they do vary from state to state. Our designer is setup to comply with the general requirements above. If you require a specific requirement not in our designer, just leave a comment at checkout and we'll adust your design (no big deal!). Located on the official California state DMV site is the exact state requirements. We've linked to them Here.

Placement Information

California specifies that boat numbers be placed on the forward portion of the boat (the bow) on both sides.

Number Kits are Standard

Our california number kits are solid as a pair with 2.

You get two registration numbers automatically

How does my lettering arrive?

Your vinyl lettering is cut, weeded, and coated in a transfer tape ready to install. Installation instructions are located here. We have many optional installation accessories located in our accessories section.

California Boat Registration Numbers

What our customers say

Fantastic product! Came off the paper exactly as it looked on the designer.

2025 Xpress X23 Bay Boat Lettering from Caleb M, SC

2025 Xpress X23 Bay from Caleb M, SC

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Tuesday, September 17, 2024

Excellent quality! Was able to match stock decals pretty good with the design software. Very happy with the result. SWAMP BOX!

1998 Carolina Skiff V series Boat Lettering from Duane P, SC

1998 Carolina Skiff V series from Duane P, SC

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Monday, September 16, 2024

Easy to install, great product

2018 Sylvan Mirage Cruise 8522 Boat Lettering from BRYAN S, OH

2018 Sylvan Mirage Cruise 8522 from BRYAN S, OH

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Sunday, September 8, 2024

Creating the sticker was easy have a lot of designs/fonts to choose from. shipping was fast the installation was a breeze I will defiantly be ordering all my decals from boat decal.biz in the future. Regards

2011 Regal 2100 BR Boat Lettering from Bradley S, TX

2011 Regal 2100 BR from Bradley S, TX

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Sunday, September 15, 2024

Exactly what I asked for.

Boat Lettering from Dany S, CO

from Dany S, CO

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Monday, September 2, 2024

Letters look great and went on with no hassle at all. I used Rapid Tac and appreciated the leeway to adjust.

2018 Godfrey Sweetwater Pontoon Boat Lettering from James F, NC

2018 Godfrey Sweetwater Pontoon from James F, NC

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Tuesday, September 3, 2024

Looks great, many positive comments from dockmates. Domed.

2006 Meridian 408 Boat transom, fiberglass gelcoat Lettering from Robert P, RI

2006 Meridian 408 Boat transom, fiberglass gelcoat Lettering from Robert P, RI

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Wednesday, September 4, 2024

Loved the lettering

Lettering from Chris B, TX

Lettering from Chris B, TX

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Wednesday, August 21, 2024

Great quality. Quick shipping Awesome colors

2005 baja outlaw 25 sst Boat Lettering from pete h, NY

2005 baja outlaw 25 sst from pete h, NY

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Tuesday, August 27, 2024

Good product went on easy and are quality made

2005 Larson cabrio 260 Boat Lettering from Jamie D, Ontario

2005 Larson cabrio 260 from Jamie D, Ontario

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Tuesday, September 3, 2024

Fantastic look, excellent quality, easy to apply. Directions & videos easy to follow & accurate. I installed doomed lettering standing in the water with just painters tape & scraper tool. Of course after wiping the surface with glass cleaner , but shouldn’t you already have that on the boat? Highly recommended!!

2021 Sylvan L3 DLZ Bar Pontoon boat Lettering from George C, NY

2021 Sylvan L3 DLZ Bar Pontoon boat Lettering from George C, NY

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Wednesday, August 28, 2024

In this video we provide a short walk through of the features of our online design tool. You can jump right in and play with it or watch this video if you want to see how everything works.

Lakes in California

You'll need California boat numbers if you are boating in these major lakes (and any other state owned body of water)

Big Bear Lake - Clear Lake - Don Pedro Reservoir - Donner Lake - Eagle Lake - Goose Lake - Lake Almanor - Lake Berryessa - Lake Merritt - Lake Oroville - Lake Pillsbury - Lake Shasta - Lake Tahoe - Lower Klamath Lake - Mono Lake - New Melones Lake - Salton Sea - Tenaya Lake - Trinity Lake - Tule Lake - Whiskeytown Lake