How Much Does It Cost to Register a Boat? Fees in All 50 States

Registering a 16- to 20-foot motorboat typically costs about $15 to $35 a year, and many states sell two- or three-year terms. Arkansas is the cheapest at $15 for three years, followed by Alaska at $24 for three. Utah costs the most, about $210 a year for a new 17-foot boat.

Length is the main driver in most states, and a few use horsepower, value or the boat's age. Add-ons for invasive species stickers and agent fees can raise the bill by $5 to $25.

Key Takeaways

• The middle state charges about $25 a year for a 16- to 20-foot boat.
• Utah, Colorado and New Hampshire are among the priciest once their required add-ons are counted.
• Montana charges once: $125.50 registers a 16- to 19-foot boat for good.
• Bigger boats cost far more, up to $620 for two years in Rhode Island for a boat over 50 feet.

What Does Boat Registration Cover?

Registration gives your boat a state number and the decals you display on the hull. It proves the boat is legal to run on public water in that state.

A title is separate in many states. Alaska, for example, charges $44 for a boat title on top of the $24 registration.

How Do States Set Boat Registration Fees?

Most states charge by length class, with breaks at 16, 26 and 40 feet. Florida charges $28.75 a year for a 16- to 26-foot boat and $78.25 for a 26- to 40-footer.

A few states use other measures. Maine charges by horsepower, Indiana by the boat's original MSRP and Oklahoma by value, capped at $151 a year. Oregon charges $5.95 per foot plus an $8 invasive species surcharge for two years.

Utah stacks several fees. A new 15- to 19-foot motorboat pays a $40 state fee, $75 in county fees, $75 in Boating Grant Tax, a 50-cent search and rescue fee and a $20 AIS decal, or $210.50 a year.

Add-On Fees to Budget For

Several states require an invasive species sticker on top of registration. Colorado adds a $25 ANS stamp, Idaho $10 and Wyoming a $10 AIS decal.

New Hampshire's $21.50 inland decal covers lake restoration, search and rescue, boat access and navigation safety. Georgia adds a $10 transaction fee, and Nebraska a $4 issuing fee.

Boat Registration Fees by State

Each row shows the fee for a typical 16- to 20-foot motorboat and spreads multi-year terms into a yearly figure. Pick your state for its full schedule, including other lengths and title fees.

State	Fee for a 16 to 20 ft motorboat	Term	About per year
Alabama	$25 (16 to under 26 ft)	1 year	$25
Alaska	$24 (any powered boat)	3 years	$8
Arizona	$30 (16 ft 1 in to 20 ft)	1 year	$30
Arkansas	$15 (16 to under 26 ft)	3 years	$5
California	$20 renewal ($29 or $49 to start)	2 years	$10
Colorado	$36.25 plus $25 ANS stamp (under 20 ft)	1 year	$61.25
Connecticut	$30 (16 to 17 ft)	1 year	$30
Delaware	$40, or $120 for three years	1 or 3 years	$40
Florida	$28.75 (16 to under 26 ft)	1 year	$28.75
Georgia	$70 plus $10 transaction fee	3 years	$26.67
Hawaii	$25 new, $20 renewal (under 20 ft)	1 year	$20
Idaho	$28 to $36 plus $10 invasive species fund	1 year	$42
Illinois	$50 renewal (16 to under 26 ft)	3 years	$16.67
Indiana	$15 to $60, set by original MSRP	1 year	Varies
Iowa	$41.65 (16 to under 26 ft)	3 years	$13.88
Kansas	$42.50 (any boat)	3 years	$14.17
Kentucky	$42.28 (16 to under 26 ft)	1 year	$42.28
Louisiana	$57 (16 to under 26 ft)	3 years	$19
Maine	$40 to $59 inland, set by horsepower	1 year	Varies
Maryland	$70 (any length)	2 years	$35
Massachusetts	$66 (16 to under 26 ft)	2 years	$33
Michigan	$42 (16 to under 21 ft)	3 years	$14
Minnesota	$59 plus $29 AIS surcharge (17 to 19 ft)	3 years	$29.33
Mississippi	$25.99 (16 to under 26 ft)	3 years	$8.66
Missouri	$55 (16 to under 26 ft)	3 years	$18.33
Montana	$125.50 one time (16 to under 19 ft)	Permanent	Varies
Nebraska	$64 plus $4 issuing fee	3 years	$22.67
Nevada	$25 (13 to under 18 ft) or $40 (18 to under 22 ft)	1 year	Varies
New Hampshire	$34 plus $21.50 inland decal (16.1 to 21 ft)	1 year	$55.50
New Jersey	$28 (16 to under 26 ft)	1 year	$28
New Mexico	$75 (16 to under 26 ft)	3 years	$25
New York	$45 (16 to under 26 ft)	3 years	$15
North Carolina	$30, or $90 for three years	1 or 3 years	$30
North Dakota	$45 plus $15 ANS fee (16 to under 20 ft)	3 years	$20
Ohio	$45 (16 to under 26 ft)	3 years	$15
Oklahoma	Set by value, up to $151	1 year	Varies
Oregon	$5.95 a foot plus $8 ($103.20 at 16 ft)	2 years	$51.60
Pennsylvania	$39 (16 to under 20 ft)	2 years	$19.50
Rhode Island	$42 (16 to 20 ft)	2 years	$21
South Carolina	$20 new, $10 renewal	1 year	$10
South Dakota	$30 plus $3 admin fee (under 19 ft)	1 year	$33
Tennessee	$35 (over 16 to under 26 ft)	1 year	$35
Texas	$53 (16 to under 26 ft)	2 years	$26.50
Utah	$210.50 for a new 15 to 19 ft motorboat; $85.50 at 12+ years old	1 year	$210.50
Vermont	$49	1 year	$49
Virginia	$41 (16 to under 20 ft)	3 years	$13.67
Washington	$16.50 ($10.50 plus $6 in surcharges)	1 year	$16.50
West Virginia	$45	3 years	$15
Wisconsin	$32	3 years	$10.67
Wyoming	$30, or $80 for three years, plus $10 AIS decal	1 or 3 years	$40

How Long Does Boat Registration Last?

Terms run one, two or three years, and some states let you choose. North Carolina charges $30 for one year or $90 for three, and Delaware $40 or $120.

Montana is the outlier with a one-time permanent registration. California renews every two years in odd-numbered years, so the first fee depends on when you buy.

What to Check Before You Register

Measure the boat's length the way your state does, since a few inches can move it into the next class. Note the horsepower too if you live in Maine.

Have proof of ownership ready, and ask whether a title, decal or AIS sticker is due at the same time. Your state's page lists every fee for your boat's size and type.