Mississippi § 59-21-31 - Alteration of identification numbers or marks on vessels, outboard motors, boats or boat trailers; purchase, sale or possession of vessels, outboard motors, boats or boat trailers with altered identifications; examinations and reports.
Full text of Mississippi Mississippi Code of 1972 Annotated § 59-21-31 — Alteration of identification numbers or marks on vessels, outboard motors, boats or boat trailers; purchase, sale or possession of vessels, outboard motors, boats or boat trailers with altered identifications; examinations and reports., with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ 59-21-31. Alteration of identification numbers or marks on vessels, outboard motors, boats or boat trailers; purchase, sale or possession of vessels, outboard motors, boats or boat trailers with altered identifications; examinations and reports.
No person shall remove, change or in any manner mutilate or deface any number awarded a vessel, or any motor number or other stamped, cast, or forged numbers or letters or other marks upon any vessel, outboard motor, boat or boat trailer, or assist in so doing, or, having knowledge of such change, fail to report the same to the Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks in which such vessel, motor, boat or boat trailer is usually moored, docked, housed or garaged. Any person or owner, being in possession of a vessel, outboard motor, boat or boat trailer, shall examine the same and report such changes to the Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks. No person shall buy, sell or possess a vessel, outboard motor, boat or boat trailer on which any awarded number or identification number has been removed, changed, mutilated or defaced. It shall be the duty of any person buying, or any lienholder financing, a vessel, outboard motor, boat or boat trailer, to inspect the vessel, outboard motor, boat or boat trailer prior to its purchase or creation of a lien thereon, to ensure that it is in compliance with this section.
Source: official Mississippi text · Last verified 2026-08-27
Frequently Asked Questions About Mississippi § 59-21-31
What does Mississippi Code of 1972 Annotated § 59-21-31 cover?
Section 59-21-31 ("Alteration of identification numbers or marks on vessels, outboard motors, boats or boat trailers; purchase, sale or possession of vessels, outboard motors, boats or boat trailers with altered identifications; examinations and reports.") is part of the Mississippi Code of 1972 Annotated, the codified statutory law of Mississippi. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.
How do I cite Mississippi § 59-21-31?
A common citation format is "Mississippi Code of 1972 Annotated § 59-21-31" (Mississippi). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.
Is this the official text of Mississippi law?
No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Mississippi official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Mississippi attorney.
How does Mississippi § 59-21-31 apply to my situation?
Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in Mississippi can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.
Sources & Verification
Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in Mississippi.