Missouri boaters are required to have a title for all vessels and/or outboard motors unless the vessel is powered by oar alone or is a sail boat less than 12 feet in length powered by sail alone, according to the Missouri Water Patrol.


Any person who tries to register their boat or motor with the Department of Revenue will find that without a proper title many times they are required to have a serial number verification performed by the Missouri State Water Patrol.


During this inspection a Water Patrol officer will check for a proper serial number and verify the vessel or motor is not stolen.


The officer will complete a form 798 that will be submitted to the Department of Revenue along with the application paperwork.


In order to make it easier for the public to have a serial number verification performed, the Missouri State Water Patrol has established the below listed station locations at which the public can bring a boat or motor by at the designated times.


For a complete list of Department of Revenue requirements for registering a vessel/outboard motor please visit their web site at:


Watercraft Licensing


DISTRICT I (West Central Missouri):


Truman Lake, Shawnee Bend Boat Ramp. Located one mile west of the Truman Lake Corps of Engineers Project Office. Saturday Mornings, 9:30am to 10:30am, April through September.
Directions: From Hwy. 65 in Warsaw, take the Dam Access Road (Visitor Center Rd.). Go across the dam. you will come to a four-way stop, go straight and follow the road all the way back to the boat ramp.


Bolivar Department of Transportation Maintenance Building. First and third Mondays during the months of April through June from 6:00pm to 7:00pm.
Directions: Hwy 32 in Bolivar east of Hwy 13.


DISTRICT III (Southwest Missouri):


Kimberling City, Kimberling City Police Dept. This station will be conducted from 9- 10 a.m. every Saturday morning, year-round.
Directions: From Hwy. 13, turn onto Kimberling Blvd. Follow Kimberling Blvd. to Marina Way. The police department is located at the intersection of Kimberling Blvd. and Marina Way in the City Hall Building.


Shell Knob, Central Crossing Fire Station, April through September only. The station is located on Highway 39, north of Shell Knob at the junction of County Road 39-1. This station will be conducted from 9-10 a.m. every Saturday morning.


Gainesville, Bullseye Convenience Store, April through September only. Located at the intersection of Highway 5 & Highway 160. This station will be conducted from 8:30- 9 a.m. every Saturday morning.