Navigating Boat Registration: A Captain's Guide
Boat registration rules and regulations vary by state - here's a comprehensive guide with everything you need.
May 5, 2024
Boat registration regulations and fees vary by state. Image courtesy of Grand Banks.
Understanding State Regulations
Understanding the nuances of boat registration begins with familiarizing yourself with your state's regulations. While some states handle boat registration through their Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), others delegate this responsibility to agencies like state parks, tax commissions, or departments of natural resources.
Deciphering the Paperwork Puzzle
Before embarking on the registration journey, ensure you have all the necessary paperwork on board. This typically includes proof of ownership or a bill of sale, a detailed description of the vessel, and its hull identification number. Remember, each state may have its own specific requirements, so be sure to consult your local DMV or relevant authority.
Which Vessels Require Boat Registration?
Not all vessels need to be registered, but it's crucial to know which ones do. Generally, mechanically powered vessels and those venturing into federal waters or the high seas must be registered. However, exemptions may apply to certain types of boats, such as canoes, kayaks, or vessels under a specific length.
Timing is Key: When to Register Your Vessel
Once you've acquired a boat, don't delay—register it promptly. States like Kentucky even mandate title transfers within a specific timeframe to avoid legal issues. Stay ahead of the curve by promptly fulfilling registration requirements.
Navigating Boat Registration Fees
Prepare for the fiscal voyage ahead! Boat registration fees vary from state to state and are often based on factors like vessel length and type. Expect to encounter charges for state sales tax, vessel title, processing fees, and the all-important boat registration decal.
Find Out What Agency Is Responsible For Boat Registrations By State
| State | Responsible Agency | How to Apply | Credit Card | URL | |
| Alabama | Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Marine Police Division 334-242-3673 | In person/by mail | No | http://www.dcnr.state.al.us/boating/ | |
| Alaska | U.S. Coast Guard 907-463-2294 | Printable online form | Yes | http://www.uscg.mil/d17/uscgd17.html | |
| Arizona | Dept. Fish and Wildlife 602-942-3000 | In person/by mail Registration form not yet available online. | No | http://www.azgfd.gov/ | |
| Arkansas | Fish and Game Comm. 501-223-6378 | In person/by mail | No | http://www.agfc.com// | |
| California | Dept. of Motor Vehicles 916-657-8013 | In person/by mail You can renew registration in person or by mail if change of title. If bringing a boat in from out of state, you'll need to bring the boat to your local DMV. Visit here for a listing of DMV offices by city | No | http://www.dmv.ca.gov/boatsinfo/boat.htm | |
| Colorado | Div. of Parks and Recreation 303-791-1920 | Printable online form | No | http://parks.state.co.us/ | |
| Connecticut | Dept. of Motor Vehicles 860-263-5700 | Request form online | No | http://dmvct.org/boatdocs.htm | |
| Delaware | Dept. of Natural Resources 302-739-3498 | In person/by mail | No | http://www.dnrec.state.de.us/fw/fwwel.htm | |
| Florida | Dept. of Motor Vehicles 850-488-1195 | Printable online form Online form available only for new title/registration. Otherwise register by mail or in person at county tax collector's. | No | http://www.hsmv.state.fl.us/dmv/vslfacts.html | |
| Georgia | Dept. of Natural Resources 770-414-3337 | Online form | Yes | https://gadnr.org/boating/registration | |
| Hawaii | Dept.of Land & Natural Resources 808-587-1970 | In person/by mail Refer to website for additional regional contact information. | No | http://www.hawaii.gov./dlnr/dbor/dbor.html | |
| Idaho | Dept. of Parks & Recreation 208-334-4197 | In person/by mail/online | No. | https://parksandrecreation.idaho.gov/registration-permits/ | |
| Illinois | Dept. of Natural Resources 217-782-2138 | Printable online form Only renewals allowed online | Yes | https://www2.illinois.gov/dnr/boating/Pages/Registering.aspx | |
| Indiana | Bureau of Motor Vehicles 317-232-2859 | In person/by mail | No | https://www.in.gov/bmv/registration-plates/boat-registration/ | |
| Iowa | Dept. of Natural Resources 515-281-5918 | In person/by mail Must register with local county recorder | Yes | https://www.iowadnr.gov/things-to-do/boating/boating-registration | |
| Kansas | Dept. of Wildlife & Parks 316-672-5911 | Printable online form Only renewals allowed online | Yes | https://ksoutdoors.com/Boating/Registering-Your-Boat | |
| Kentucky | Dept. of Transportation, Division of Motor Vehicle Licensing 502-564-5301 | In person/by mail Must register at local county clerks office. | Yes | http://mvl.ky.gov/MVLWeb/ | |
| Louisiana | Dept. of Wildlife & Fisheries 225-765-2898 | Printable online form | No | https://www.wlf.louisiana.gov/page/title-or-register-your-boat | |
| Maine | Dept. of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife 207-287-2766 | In person/by mail | Yes | http://www.maine.gov/ifw/atv_snowmobile_watercraft/registration.htm | |
| Maryland | Dept. of Natural Resources 877-620-8367 | Printable online form | No | http://www.dnr.state.md.us/boating/registration/ | |
| Massachusetts | Dept. of Fisheries & Wildlife 617-727-3900 | Printable online form | No | http://www.state.ma.us/dfwele/ | |
| Michigan | Dept. of State 517-334-8305 | In person Online, fax and phone registration renewals available. Apply in person at a local Secretary of State office for new registrations | Yes | http://www.sos.state.mi.us/renew.html | |
| Minnesota | Dept. of Natural Resources 651-296-2316 | In person Register at any deputy registrar of motor vehicles or at the DNR License Bureau in St. Paul | No | http://www.dnr.state.mn.us | |
| Mississippi | Dept. of Wildlife, Fisheries & Parks 601-432-2065 | By mail | No | http://www.mdwfp.com/ | |
| Missouri | Dept. of Motor Vehicles | By mail Visit website for local DMV phone numbers and addresses | No | http://www.dor.state.mo.us | |
| Montana | Dept. of Fish, Wildlife & Parks 406-444-2535 | In person Boats must be registered at the County Treasurer's office in the county where the owner resides | No | http://fwp.mt.gov/doingBusiness/licenses/boatRegistration.html | |
| Nebraska | Game and Parks Commission 402-471-0641 | In person Applications available from dealers, Game & Fish offices, and county clerks and treasurers. Completed applications should be submitted to the County Treasurer of your county of residence | No | http://www.ngpc.state.ne.us/boating/guides/boating/BGregister.asp | |
| Nevada | Division of Wildlife 775-688-1511 | In person | No | http://www.state.nv.us/cnr/nvwildlife/license/how2.htm | |
| New Hampshire | Division of Safety Services, Bureau of Marine Patrol 603-293-2037 | In person | No | http://www.nh.gov/safety/divisions/ss/index.html | |
| New Jersey | Motor Vehicle Commission 609-292-6500 | In person Application must be done in person at a motor vehicle agency. Click here for regional phone numbers and addresses | No | http://www.state.nj.us/mvs/boats.htm | |
| New Mexico | State Parks Division 505-827-7173 | In person/by mail | No | http://www.emnrd.state.nm.us/main/index.htm | |
| New York | Dept. of Motor Vehicles 518-486-4714 | In person/by mail Call 1-800-CALL-DMV for locations of DMVs in New York state | No | http://www.nysparks.state.ny.us/boats/regfaq/ | |
| North Carolina | Wildlife Resources Comm. 1-800-628-3773 | In person/by mail | No | http://www.ncwildlife.org/License/Vessels_Registration_Titling_Info.htm | |
| North Dakota | Game and Fish Dept. 701-328-6335 | In person/by mail Application forms available from county auditors and Game & Fish Dept. personnel | No | http://gf.nd.gov/licenses/ | |
| Ohio | Dept. of Natural Resources 614-267-5255 | In person/by mail | No | http://www.dnr.state.oh.us/watercraft/registration/tabid/2774/default.aspx | |
| Oklahoma | Oklahoma Tax Commission, Motor Vehicle Division 405-521-3221 | In person/by mail | No | http://www.tax.ok.gov/motveh.html | |
| Oregon | State Marine Board 503-378-8587 | Printable online form | No | http://www.oregon.gov/OSMB/BoatReg/index.shtml | |
| Pennsylvania | Fish & Boat Comm. 717-705-7940 | Printable online form | No | http://www.state.pa.us/Fish/boatinf.htm | |
| Rhode Island | Dept. of Environmental Mgmt. 401-222-6647, ext. 2102 | Printable online form | Yes | http://www.dem.ri.gov/programs/bpoladm/manserv/hfb/boating/boating.htm | |
| South Carolina | Dept. of Natural Resources 1-800-277-4301 | Printable online form | No | http://www.dnr.sc.gov/boating/registration.html | |
| South Dakota | Department of Revenue, Division of Motor Vehicles 605-773-3311 | Printable online form | No | http://www.sdgfp.info/Wildlife/Boating/Index.htm | |
| Tennessee | Wildlife Resources Agency 615-781-6522 | In person/by mail Register at local county court clerk's office or from any office of the TWRA | No | http://www.state.tn.us/twra/boatregistrations.html | |
| Texas | Parks & Wildlife Dept. | Printable online form Visit this page for phone numbers of local boat registration office information | No | http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us | |
| Utah | Dept. of Motor Vehicles 801-297-7780 | In person/by mail Registration is handled by the Motor Vehicle Division of the Utah State Tax Commission. To obtain a certificate of registration, submit a signed application to the Motor Vehicle office in the county in which you reside, either in person or by mail. Application must be accompanied be a validated tax certificate from the county assessor | No | http://dmv.utah.gov/ | |
| Vermont | Dept. of Motor Vehicles 802-828-2000 | In person/by mail Forms are available at any DMV or State Police station. | No | http://dmv.vermont.gov/registrations | |
| Virginia | Dept. of Game & Inland Fisheries 804-367-6135 | Printable online form | No | http://www.dgif.state.va.us/boating/index.cfm | |
| Washington | State Dept. of Licensing 360-902-3770 | Printable online form | No | https://www.dol.wa.gov/vehicleregistration/registerboat.html | |
| West Virginia | Dept. of Natural Resources 304-558-5349 | In person/by mail | No | https://www.wvdnr.gov/lenforce/classification.shtm | |
| Wisconsin | Dept. of Natural Resources 608-267-7799 | Printable online form | No | https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/permits/registrations/boat | |
| Wyoming | Game and Fish Dept. 307-777-4575 | Printable online form | No | http://gf.state.wy.us/HTML/fish/boating.htm |
