State Requirement Summary

Kansas Boat Registration Number Requirements

Boats registered in Kansas display a KA-prefixed number such as KA 123 AA. Kansas uses the KA prefix rather than KS — that difference alone is a common ordering mistake. Kansas calls for characters 3 inches high in vertical block characters, reading left to right, must contrast with background, positioned each side of the forward top half of the boat. Our lettering is designed to meet the displayed Kansas 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

KA 123 AA

Kansas uses the KA prefix — not KS.

Minimum character height: 3 inches
Lettering style: Vertical block characters
Contrast: Must contrast with background
Spacing / separator: Space or hyphen equal to character width
Reading direction: Left to right
Number location: Each side of the forward top half of the boat
Validation decal: Apply according to the instructions provided with the Kansas decal
State agency: Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks

What we sell vs. what the state issues: RegistrationDecals.com supplies the registration-number lettering, designed to meet the displayed Kansas size and formatting requirements. Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks 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 KA numbers

Starts with the Kansas format (KA 123 AA). 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 Kansas requirements. Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks issues the validation decal.

Kansas placement diagram

Both sides of the hull carry the number. The grey square marks where the state-issued validation decal goes — apply according to the instructions provided with the kansas decal.

Port side — bow to the left

Starboard side — bow to the right

Height: 3 inches, vertical block characters
Spacing: Space or hyphen equal to character width
Location: Each side of the forward top half of the boat
Validation decal: Apply according to the instructions provided with the Kansas decal

Diagram is illustrative. Confirm exact positioning against the instructions issued with your Kansas registration.

Official source

Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks — Primary state agency source. Last verified August 22, 2026 (source check 2026-08-22).

Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks — Boating

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.

Kansas rules in detail

Assigned number format

Kansas assigns numbers in the pattern KA 123 AA, using the KA prefix. Note that the vessel prefix (KA) is not the postal abbreviation (KS). The Kansas vessel prefix is KA, not KS.

Minimum character height

Kansas 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

Vertical block characters, reading left to right. Script, italic and decorative treatments are not what this style describes.

Contrast requirement

Must contrast with background. 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

Space or hyphen equal to character width. Example: KA 123 AA. Running the groups together with no separation does not match the stated format.

Placement on the hull

Each side of the forward top half of the boat. Must remain distinctly visible and legible.

Validation decal placement

Apply according to the instructions provided with the Kansas decal. The validation or expiration decal is issued by Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks — RegistrationDecals.com supplies the registration-number lettering only.

Common mistakes

Ordering KS instead of the KA prefix Kansas actually assigns.
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 vertical block characters.
Losing the required separation between the groups — space or hyphen equal to character width.
Placing the state validation decal somewhere other than the position Kansas describes: apply according to the instructions provided with the Kansas decal.

Frequently asked questions

What does a Kansas boat registration number look like?

Kansas numbers follow the pattern KA 123 AA, using the KA prefix, a numeral group, and suffix letters.

How tall do Kansas boat registration numbers have to be?

3 inches, measured on the character itself, in vertical block characters.

What lettering style does Kansas require?

Vertical block characters, reading left to right, and must contrast with background.

How much space goes between the letters and numbers in Kansas?

Space or hyphen equal to character width. Example: KA 123 AA.

Where do the numbers go on the boat in Kansas?

Each side of the forward top half of the boat. Must remain distinctly visible and legible.

Where does the Kansas validation decal go?

Apply according to the instructions provided with the Kansas decal. The decal itself is issued by Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks; we supply the registration-number lettering.

Who regulates boat registration numbers in Kansas?

Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks. Confirm the current instructions issued with your registration before applying anything to your hull. Last regulatory review: August 22, 2026.

Can I order Kansas boat registration numbers online?

Yes. Enter your assigned KA 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.

Does Kansas use KS or KA on the decals?

KA. Kansas-registered vessels display the KA prefix — ordering KS produces the wrong number.

Related guides

Ready to design your KA numbers?

Our designer starts with plain block characters and proper group spacing, so you can see exactly how KA 123 AA will read on your hull before you order.

Source: Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks · Primary state agency source · Primary · Source last checked 2026-08-22.