How to Register a Boat: Requirements in All 50 States

To register a boat, first check whether your vessel needs a state number; the state rules we reviewed name a specific office or deadline for 20 of 50 states, including Florida’s county tax collector, Indiana’s BMV branch, and Oklahoma’s 30-day ownership deadline.

You can start by checking your state’s rules for your boat type, then use the named office or online channel and meet any stated deadline. Carry the registration certificate and display decals where your state requires them.

Paddlecraft rules vary by state, so check Do You Need to Register a Kayak if you use a kayak.

Key Takeaways

• Check your state’s rules for your boat’s motor, sail, and length.
• Use the office or online channel your state names.
• Keep track of your deadline and renewal period.

Your registration checklist

1. Check your state’s rules for your boat’s motor, sail, and length.
2. Use the office or online channel your state names.
3. Keep track of your deadline and renewal period.

Does Your Boat Need to Be Registered?

Most states require registration for motorboats, while rules for sailboats and human-powered boats vary by state. Some states include boats with electric motors, and some require registration for certain non-motorized boats based on length or type.

Your boat’s use and location also affect the rule. For example, California includes boats used on private lakes, while Iowa has exceptions for some small paddlecraft and other boats.

If your boat is human-powered, check the specific state rule before you launch. State requirements for kayaks and other paddlecraft differ.

Where Do You Register a Boat?

Use the agency, local office, or online channel named for your state; where the state guidance says “Check the state page,” go there for the registration location.

For registration location information, the state guidance says “Check the state page” for Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Delaware, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Kansas, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin.

What Is the Deadline After You Buy a Boat?

The stated purchase or acquisition deadlines are 30 days in Florida, 10 days in Mississippi, and 30 days in Oklahoma.

Florida’s deadline starts on the purchase date. Mississippi’s starts on the acquisition date, and Oklahoma’s starts on the date of ownership.

For another state’s deadline, check its state page. Visiting boats are covered by Boating License Reciprocity.

Do Boat Titles and Registration Go Together?

Some states require both a title and registration, while others have separate title rules or do not title boats. Check your state’s title rule before completing the registration process.

For example, Hawaii requires vessels to be titled, and Alaska requires titles for undocumented boats longer than 24 feet. Kansas does not title boats or register motors, and Tennessee does not title boats.

The table under state requirements gives the title rule for each state where one is stated. If the rule says to check the state page, use that page for the title details.

How Long Does Boat Registration Last?

Registration terms range from one year to permanent registration, with the exact period and expiration rule set by your state. A term can follow a calendar year, a stated expiration date, or another schedule.

Use Boat Registration Renewal for renewal details. For cost information, see How Much Does It Cost to Register a Boat.

What Does Boat Registration Cost?

Check your state’s current registration schedule for the cost of registering your boat. The charge depends on the state’s rules, and the information here does not give dollar amounts.

Use How Much Does It Cost to Register a Boat to find cost details.

What Are the Boat Registration Requirements in Each State?

Your boat’s motor, sail, length, and use determine which state registration rule applies. The table summarizes which boats must be registered and the title rule stated for each state.