Assigned number format
Arizona assigns numbers in the pattern AZ 1234 AB, using the AZ prefix. Arizona guidance specifies the number must be visible from 100 feet in daylight.
State Requirement Summary
Arizona Boat Registration Number Requirements
Boats registered in Arizona display an AZ-prefixed number such as AZ 1234 AB. Arizona calls for characters 3 inches high in block letters, reading left to right, must contrast with the hull, positioned each side of the forward half of the watercraft. Our lettering is designed to meet the displayed Arizona size and formatting requirements. The state itself issues the validation/expiration decal — we supply the registration-number lettering.
Boat number requirements
Last regulatory review: August 22, 2026
Assigned number example
AZ 1234 AB
- Minimum character height
- 3 inches
- Lettering style
- Block letters
- Contrast
- Must contrast with the hull
- Spacing / separator
- Hyphen or equivalent space between AZ, numerals and suffix
- Reading direction
- Left to right
- Number location
- Each side of the forward half of the watercraft
- Validation decal
- Follow the Arizona-issued decal placement instructions; commonly positioned near the registration number
- State agency
- Arizona Game and Fish Department
What we sell vs. what the state issues: RegistrationDecals.com supplies the registration-number lettering, designed to meet the displayed Arizona size and formatting requirements. Arizona Game and Fish Department issues the official validation/expiration decal — and any separate stickers such as aquatic-invasive-species, mussel-awareness, carbon-monoxide or lake-protection stickers, which are not interchangeable with each other.
Design your AZ numbers
Starts with the Arizona format (AZ 1234 AB). Tap the decal and type your own assigned number exactly as it appears on your certificate of number.
Tap the decal to edit
Decal color
We supply the registration-number lettering, sized to the displayed Arizona requirements. Arizona Game and Fish Department issues the validation decal.
Arizona placement diagram
Both sides of the hull carry the number. The grey square marks where the state-issued validation decal goes — follow the arizona-issued decal placement instructions; commonly positioned near the registration number.
- Height: 3 inches, block letters
- Spacing: Hyphen or equivalent space between AZ, numerals and suffix
- Location: Each side of the forward half of the watercraft
- Validation decal: Follow the Arizona-issued decal placement instructions; commonly positioned near the registration number
Diagram is illustrative. Confirm exact positioning against the instructions issued with your Arizona registration.
Official source
Arizona Game and Fish Department — Primary state agency source. Last verified August 22, 2026 (source check 2026-08-22).
Arizona Game and Fish Department — Watercraft registrationRegistration requirements can change. RegistrationDecals.com summarizes publicly available boating-registration requirements to help boat owners select and display registration numbers. Always compare your registration and decals with the current instructions issued by your state boating or registration agency before applying them to your vessel.
Arizona rules in detail
Minimum character height
Arizona specifies characters 3 inches high. Measure the character body itself — if the state excludes borders, outlines or shading, decorative trim does not count toward the minimum.
Required lettering style
Block letters, reading left to right. Script, italic and decorative treatments are not what this style describes.
Contrast requirement
Must contrast with the hull. In practice that means dark characters on a light hull and light characters on a dark hull, checked in daylight from the side of the vessel.
Spacing and separator
Hyphen or equivalent space between AZ, numerals and suffix. Example: AZ 1234 AB. Running the groups together with no separation does not match the stated format.
Placement on the hull
Each side of the forward half of the watercraft. Must be the only number displayed on the forward half.
Validation decal placement
Follow the Arizona-issued decal placement instructions; commonly positioned near the registration number. The validation or expiration decal is issued by Arizona Game and Fish Department — RegistrationDecals.com supplies the registration-number lettering only.
Common mistakes
- Ordering the number without the AZ prefix or the suffix letters.
- Characters shorter than the stated minimum (3 inches) so they fit inside a narrow accent stripe.
- Using a script, italic or shadowed style instead of block letters.
- Losing the required separation between the groups — hyphen or equivalent space between AZ, numerals and suffix.
- Placing the state validation decal somewhere other than the position Arizona describes: follow the Arizona-issued decal placement instructions; commonly positioned near the registration number.
Frequently asked questions
What does a Arizona boat registration number look like?
Arizona numbers follow the pattern AZ 1234 AB, using the AZ prefix, a numeral group, and suffix letters.
How tall do Arizona boat registration numbers have to be?
3 inches, measured on the character itself, in block letters.
What lettering style does Arizona require?
Block letters, reading left to right, and must contrast with the hull.
How much space goes between the letters and numbers in Arizona?
Hyphen or equivalent space between AZ, numerals and suffix. Example: AZ 1234 AB.
Where do the numbers go on the boat in Arizona?
Each side of the forward half of the watercraft. Must be the only number displayed on the forward half.
Where does the Arizona validation decal go?
Follow the Arizona-issued decal placement instructions; commonly positioned near the registration number. The decal itself is issued by Arizona Game and Fish Department; we supply the registration-number lettering.
Who regulates boat registration numbers in Arizona?
Arizona Game and Fish Department. Confirm the current instructions issued with your registration before applying anything to your hull. Last regulatory review: August 22, 2026.
Can I order Arizona boat registration numbers online?
Yes. Enter your assigned AZ number in the designer on this page, pick a color that contrasts with your hull, and we cut a matched port-and-starboard pair and ship it to the 48 contiguous states.
Do I need two sets of Arizona registration numbers?
You need the number displayed on both sides of the vessel — each side of the forward half of the watercraft — so every order ships as a matched port-and-starboard pair.
Related guides
Ready to design your AZ numbers?
Our designer starts with plain block characters and proper group spacing, so you can see exactly how AZ 1234 AB will read on your hull before you order.
Source: Arizona Game and Fish Department · Primary state agency source · Primary · Source last checked 2026-08-22.
Registration requirements can change. RegistrationDecals.com summarizes publicly available boating-registration requirements to help boat owners select and display registration numbers. Always compare your registration and decals with the current instructions issued by your state boating or registration agency before applying them to your vessel.