Arizona boat registration is handled by the Arizona Game and Fish Department, and you'll need it before operating any motorized vessel on state waters.

Arizona requires registration for any boat with a motor, regardless of horsepower, plus sailboats 12 feet or longer. The process takes about two weeks by mail and costs between $25 and $75 depending on the boat's length and whether you're registering for one or three years. You can register in person at Game and Fish regional offices, by mail, or online through the Arizona Game and Fish website.

The registration itself is a decal you'll display on your boat, not a document you carry. It's valid for one or three years from the date issued. Unlike vehicle registration, Arizona boat registration does not renew on your birthday — it renews on the anniversary of the date you first registered.

Key Takeaways

  • Any motorized boat or sailboat 12 feet or longer must be registered with Arizona Game and Fish before you operate it on state waters.
  • Registration costs $25 to $75 depending on boat length and term (one or three years), and takes about two weeks by mail or is when ready online.
  • You'll receive a decal to display on your boat, not a card or certificate to carry with you.
  • The registration renews on the anniversary of your original registration date, not on a fixed calendar date like vehicle tags.
  • Out-of-state boats can operate in Arizona for up to 90 days without Arizona registration if they're registered in another state.

What boats require Arizona registration

Any boat with a motor must be registered, no matter how small the engine. This includes jet skis, pontoons, bass boats, and even canoes with electric trolling motors. Sailboats must be registered if they are 12 feet or longer.

Non-motorized boats under 12 feet — canoes, kayaks, rowboats, and paddleboards without motors — do not need registration. However, anyone operating any boat in Arizona must have a boating safety certificate if they were born on or after January 1, 1985. That certificate is separate from registration and is issued by Arizona Game and Fish after you complete an online or in-person course.

How to register online, by mail, or in person

The fastest route is online through the Arizona Game and Fish website. You'll need the boat's hull identification number (HIN), the manufacturer's name and year, the boat's length, and your driver's license number. Online registration is processed when ready, and the decal ships to you within a few days.

By mail, send the completed registration form (available on the Game and Fish website) along with the $25 to $75 fee to the address listed on the form. Processing takes about two weeks. In person, visit any Arizona Game and Fish regional office with the same information and payment. Regional offices are located in Phoenix, Tucson, Flagstaff, and Yuma, and walk-in registration is usually processed the same day.

You'll need proof of ownership — a bill of sale, title, or manufacturer's certificate of origin. If the boat is financed, bring the lienholder's name and address. If you're registering someone else's boat, bring a notarized power of attorney.

Registration costs and renewal terms

A one-year registration costs $25 for boats under 16 feet, $40 for boats 16 to 26 feet, and $75 for boats over 26 feet. A three-year registration costs $60, $100, and $180 respectively. The three-year option saves money if you plan to keep the boat registered that long.

Renewal notices are not mailed to you. Instead, you renew on the anniversary of your original registration date. You can renew online, by mail, or in person using the same methods as initial registration. If your registration expires, you cannot legally operate the boat until you renew it, and operating an unregistered boat carries a fine.

Out-of-state boats and temporary operation

If your boat is registered in another state, you can operate it in Arizona for up to 90 consecutive days without Arizona registration. After 90 days, you must register it in Arizona if you continue to use it on state waters. This rule applies whether you're a resident or a visitor.

If you're moving to Arizona with a boat registered elsewhere, you have 90 days to register it here. Bring your out-of-state registration and proof of ownership to any Game and Fish office or register online.

What happens if you don't register

Operating an unregistered motorized boat or a sailboat 12 feet or longer is a violation of Arizona boating law. Game and Fish officers can stop you on the water and issue a citation. The fine varies but can reach several hundred dollars, and you'll be required to register the boat before you can operate it again.

If you're caught operating an unregistered boat, you may also face additional penalties if the boat is involved in an accident or if you're operating it without a boating safety certificate. Insurance companies may also deny claims if the boat was unregistered at the time of loss.

Transferring or selling a registered boat

When you sell a boat, the registration stays with the boat, not with you. The new owner must explore for a new registration in their name. Provide the buyer with the registration decal and a bill of sale. The buyer then registers the boat as if it were new, bringing the bill of sale and proof of ownership to Game and Fish.

If you're transferring the boat to a family member or another person, the same process applies — the new owner must register it. You do not need to cancel your old registration; it straightforward becomes invalid once the boat is registered to someone else.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a boating safety certificate in addition to registration?

Yes, if you were born on or after January 1, 1985. The certificate is separate from registration and is issued by Arizona Game and Fish after you complete a boating safety course online or in person. The course takes a few hours and covers basic operation, safety equipment, and Arizona boating laws.

What if my boat's hull identification number is damaged or missing?

Contact Arizona Game and Fish before you register. They can issue a temporary HIN or help you locate the original number. Do not register a boat with an unknown or altered HIN, as this can create legal problems when you sell it or file an insurance claim.

Can I register a boat that I'm financing?

Yes. Provide the lienholder's name and address when you register. The lienholder will be noted on the registration records, but you still receive the decal and operate the boat. When you pay off the loan, you can update the registration to remove the lienholder's name.

What if I lose or damage my registration decal?

Contact Arizona Game and Fish to request a replacement decal. There is usually a small fee, and the replacement is mailed to you or available for pickup at a regional office. Until you receive the replacement, you should not operate the boat on state waters.

Do I need to register a boat trailer?

No. Boat trailers are registered through the Arizona Department of Transportation like any other vehicle trailer. If your trailer is registered in another state, you have 90 days to register it in Arizona if you become a resident.