Florida Boat Registration and Title Fees
Most boats operated on Florida waters must be registered with the state, and many must also be titled. Registration and title are handled by the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) through county tax collector offices and license plate agents. This guide summarizes the official fee chart and the process. Fees and rules change, so confirm with FLHSMV or your county tax collector before you go.
Who must register
Under Florida law, vessels operated, used or stored on Florida waters must generally be registered, with exceptions. According to FLHSMV, exceptions include non-motorized vessels less than 16 feet in length, non-motorized canoes, kayaks, racing shells and rowing sculls regardless of length, and vessels used exclusively on private lakes and ponds, among others. Boats with a current registration from another state can operate in Florida for a limited period before needing Florida registration. Documented vessels (federally documented with the U.S. Coast Guard) still need a Florida registration if used on Florida waters, though they are not titled by the state.
Florida registration fees by length
The following base fees come from FLHSMV's Vessel Registration Fee Chart (form Fees-04, revised 02/26) and section 328.72, Florida Statutes. Fees are for each 12-month registration period.
| Class | Length | Registration fee | Reduced fee (EPIRB/PLB) | Optional county fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A-1 | Under 12 ft (and motorized canoes) | $5.50 | $2.95 | $1.75 |
| A-2 | 12 to under 16 ft | $16.25 | $11.00 | $7.13 |
| 1 | 16 to under 26 ft | $28.75 | $20.40 | $13.38 |
| 2 | 26 to under 40 ft | $78.25 | $57.50 | $38.13 |
| 3 | 40 to under 65 ft | $127.75 | $94.95 | $62.88 |
| 4 | 65 to under 110 ft | $152.75 | $113.40 | $75.38 |
| 5 | 110 ft or more | $189.75 | $141.15 | $93.88 |
| Dealer | N/A | $25.50 | N/A | $11.75 |
FLHSMV notes that registration fees also include a $2.25 service fee, a $2.00 aquatic plate fee and a $1.00 Save the Manatee Trust Fund fee, which are not included in the amounts above. Tax collector offices may charge their own convenience or service fees for some transactions.
The optional county fee
Some counties charge an additional county vessel registration fee. According to the FLHSMV chart, the counties that charge the optional county fee are Broward, Charlotte, Collier, Miami-Dade, Escambia, Hardee, Hillsborough, Lee, Manatee, Martin, Monroe, Palm Beach, Pinellas, Polk, Santa Rosa, Sarasota and Volusia. The county keeps this fee, typically for local boating improvements. Check with your county, because lists can change.
Reduced fees for EPIRB or PLB
Section 328.72(18), Florida Statutes, provides reduced registration fees for recreational vessels equipped with an Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB) or when the owner possesses a Personal Locator Beacon (PLB). The reduced fees are shown in the table. You will need to provide proof of the beacon's registration with NOAA; ask your tax collector what documentation they accept. A registered beacon is a genuine safety upgrade for anyone boating offshore, and the fee reduction is a small bonus.
Title fees
A title is evidence of ownership. Most motorized vessels and non-motorized vessels 16 feet or longer must be titled in Florida unless they are federally documented. According to FLHSMV, the titling fee is $5.25 for an electronic title, $7.75 for a paper title, or $11 for an expedited (fast) title, in addition to registration fees and any applicable sales tax. Liens are recorded on the title, and lenders typically hold or are recorded on the title until the loan is paid.
Sales tax
If sales tax has not been paid on the purchase price, it is due at the time of titling and registration. FLHSMV explains that when you buy through a dealer, sales tax is due on the vessel, motor, trailer and accessories. In a private (casual) sale, tax is due on the vessel, any inboard motor and the trailer, while an outboard motor and accessories may be exempt if separately itemized and priced on the bill of sale. Florida law caps the state sales tax on a boat at $18,000. Local discretionary surtax rules can also apply. See Florida boat sales tax for more detail and confirm with the Florida Department of Revenue.
How to register and title a boat
Visit a county tax collector or license plate agent office (many offer appointments or online services). Typically you will need:
- Proof of ownership: the previous title signed over to you, or a manufacturer's statement of origin for a new boat.
- A completed application for title and registration (FLHSMV forms are available online).
- A bill of sale showing price, date, buyer and seller, and itemization if applicable.
- Proof of sales tax paid, or payment of the tax.
- Identification.
- For homemade boats or boats without a hull identification number, additional forms and inspection may be required.
After registering, you receive a registration certificate, which must be carried aboard whenever the vessel is operated, and a validation decal, which is displayed on the hull. Registration numbers must be displayed on both sides of the forward half of the vessel in the required size and contrast, following state rules.
Renewals
Registrations expire on the owner's birthday for individual owners in many cases, and can be renewed for one or two years. Renewal is available through tax collector offices and often online. Operating with an expired registration can lead to a citation.
Buying a used boat: title tips
- Make sure the seller's name matches the title, and look up the title record if possible.
- Check for liens recorded on the title; ensure liens are released before you pay.
- Match the hull identification number (HIN) on the boat to the title and registration.
- Get a detailed bill of sale.
- Be cautious with boats without titles or with out-of-state paperwork that does not match.
See used boat survey costs and new vs. used boats for more.
Out-of-state boats
If you move to Florida or bring a boat from another state, Florida registration is required after a period of use in the state. You may need to title the boat in Florida as well. Bring your out-of-state title and registration to the tax collector. Sales tax questions may arise for boats purchased elsewhere; Florida has use tax rules and credits for tax paid in other states. Check with the Department of Revenue.
Trailers
Boat trailers are registered separately as vehicles and need a license plate. Trailer registration fees depend on weight. See boat trailer costs.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to register a 20-foot boat in Florida?
For a 16- to under-26-foot boat, the base registration fee on the FLHSMV chart is $28.75 per year, plus the service and program fees noted above and any optional county fee. Title and sales tax are separate.
Do I need to register a kayak?
Non-motorized kayaks and canoes are generally exempt. If you add a motor, including an electric trolling motor, registration generally applies. Check FLHSMV guidance for your situation.
Do I need a title for a small boat?
Non-motorized vessels under 16 feet are generally not titled. Most motorized vessels are. Check FLHSMV guidance.
Where can I verify fees?
FLHSMV's vessel titling and registration page and its fee chart (Fees-04) are the official sources, along with section 328.72, Florida Statutes.
What if I lose my registration certificate or decal?
Replacement certificates and decals are available through county tax collector offices for a small fee. Since the certificate must be aboard while operating, keep a photo on your phone as a backup reference and replace the original promptly.