Is It Legal to Laminate Licenses?

September 23, 2009

Question: Is it legal to laminate a fishing license? Once the stamps are on it, I don’t see the problem, but some friends are saying it is not legal and the local game warden will confiscate my license if they find that I’ve laminated it. Is there anything in the regulations that prohibits this? Thanks. (Eric M.)

Answer: California Fish and Game law prohibits altering, mutilating or defacing licenses issued by DFG but does not prohibit laminating. According to retired DFG Capt. Phil Nelms, the law requires that certain information, including the signature of the license holder, be present on the license before you use it.  If you laminate the license, all of this information must remain visible.

A hunting or sport fishing license must contain the following information about the licensee to be valid:

1.   True name

2.   Residence address

3.   Date of Birth

4.   Height

5.   Color of eyes

6.   Color of hair

7.   Weight

8.   Sex

All sport fishing licenses, both annual and short-term, must also contain the date of validity (as per CCR, Title 14 Section 705, except as provided in subsections 705 and [c] and FGC Sections 7149 and 1749.05).

If you were to purchase a report card after laminating your license, you’d run into a problem because you could not then record the number on your license as required. If you think you will be purchasing a report card, hold off on laminating your license until you can record the number on bottom front portion of your license. Any stamps must also be attached to the license before lamination, as stamps attached after lamination are not technically attached to the license and could be easily removed or transferred.