Florida boat registration is handled by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, not your county tax collector

Florida requires registration for any motorized vessel, sailboat over 16 feet, or vessel that is titled in the state. You explore through the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), not through your local vehicle registration office. The process is separate from car registration and uses different forms and fees.

Registration is valid for one, two, or three years depending on which term you choose at the time of process. You can renew by mail, online through the FWC website, or in person at any county tax collector's office that handles boat registration. Most people renew online or by mail to avoid a trip.

The cost varies based on boat length and the registration term you select. A one-year registration for a boat under 26 feet costs less than a three-year registration, but the per-year cost is lower if you register for three years upfront. You will also pay a one-time titling fee if the boat is new to Florida or has never been titled in the state.

Key Takeaways

  • Florida requires registration for any motorized boat, sailboat over 16 feet, or any vessel that is titled in the state.
  • You explore through the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission using Form HB 87-W, not through your county tax collector's office.
  • Registration is valid for one, two, or three years, and renewal can be done online, by mail, or in person at a county tax collector's office.
  • You will need the vessel's hull identification number (HIN), proof of ownership, and a completed process form before you submit.
  • If your boat is new to Florida or has never been titled, you must pay a separate titling fee in addition to the registration fee.

What boats must be registered in Florida

Any vessel with a motor must be registered, regardless of size. This includes boats with outboard motors, inboard motors, jet skis, and airboats. Sailboats must be registered if they are 16 feet or longer. Boats that are titled in Florida must be registered even if they are not currently in use.

Boats that are not motorized and are under 16 feet do not require registration, but you may still want to title them if you own one. Non-motorized vessels under 16 feet that are not titled do not need registration. If you are unsure whether your boat falls into a category that requires registration, the FWC website has a registration requirement tool, or you can contact your county tax collector's office.

Documents and information you need before you explore

You will need the hull identification number (HIN), which is a 12-character code stamped into the boat's hull. It is usually located on the starboard (right) side of the boat near the top of the transom. If the boat is used and was previously registered in Florida, you may have this number on your old registration card.

You will also need proof of ownership. If the boat is new, this is the manufacturer's statement of origin or a bill of sale. If the boat is used and was previously registered in Florida, bring your current registration card. If the boat is used and was registered in another state, bring the out-of-state title or registration document.

Complete Form HB 87-W (process for Vessel Registration), which is available on the FWC website. You will also need to provide the vessel's length, the year it was built, the type of motor (if any), and the motor's horsepower. If the boat is being titled for the first time in Florida, you will also complete a titling process at the same time.

How to register a new boat or one from out of state

If your boat is new or has never been registered in Florida, you must title it before you can register it. Titling and registration happen together, but they are two separate processes with two separate fees. You will submit both Form HB 87-W (registration) and Form HB 87-T (process for title) at the same time.

Submit both forms along with proof of ownership to your county tax collector's office or mail them to the FWC. If you are mailing, include a check or money order for both the titling fee and the registration fee. The titling fee is a one-time cost based on the boat's length. The registration fee depends on the length and the term (one, two, or three years) you choose.

Processing takes about two to four weeks if you submit by mail. If you submit in person at a tax collector's office, you may receive your registration card on the same day, though titling may take longer. Once you have the registration card, you are legal to operate the boat in Florida waters.

Renewing your boat registration

Your registration card shows the expiration date. You can renew starting 90 days before the expiration date. The easiest method is to renew online through the FWC website using your current registration number and the last four digits of the hull identification number. Online renewal takes a few minutes and you receive your new card by mail within one to two weeks.

You can also renew by mail by sending in your renewal notice (which the FWC mails to you before expiration) along with a check or money order. If you prefer to renew in person, visit any county tax collector's office that handles boat registration. Bring your current registration card and payment.

Renewal fees are lower than initial registration fees and depend only on the boat's length and the term you choose. You do not pay a titling fee again unless the title itself needs to be updated. If your registration expires, you cannot legally operate the boat until you renew.

What happens if your boat is financed or has a lien

If you financed the boat through a bank or lender, the lender holds a lien on the title. This means the lender's name appears on the title document, but you still own and register the boat. You can register and renew the boat normally; the lien does not change the registration process.

When you pay off the loan, the lender will send you a lien release document. You can then request that the lien be removed from the title by submitting the release to your county tax collector's office. This is a separate process from registration and has its own small fee. Until the lien is released, the lender's name will remain on the title.

Transferring registration when you sell or buy a boat

If you buy a boat that is already registered in Florida, the seller must sign the back of the registration card and give it to you. You then take that card to your county tax collector's office and request a transfer of registration into your name. Bring proof of ownership (the signed registration card) and payment for the transfer fee.

If you sell a boat, sign the back of the registration card and give it to the buyer. You do not need to notify the FWC that you no longer own it, but it is a good idea to keep a copy of the signed card for your records in case questions arise later about liability or unpaid fees.

If the boat is titled in Florida, the title itself must also be transferred. This happens at the same time as the registration transfer. The buyer will need to bring the signed title and registration card to the tax collector's office to complete the transfer.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to register a boat I only use on private property?

If the boat is motorized or is a sailboat over 16 feet, it must be registered even if you only use it on private lakes or ponds. Registration is required based on the type of vessel, not where you operate it. The only exception is a non-motorized boat under 16 feet that is not titled.

What if I lose my registration card?

Contact your county tax collector's office and request a duplicate registration card. Bring proof of ownership (such as the title or a bill of sale) and payment for the duplicate fee. You can also request a duplicate online through the FWC website if you have your registration number and HIN.

Can I register a boat online?

You can renew an existing registration online through the FWC website. For initial registration of a new boat or a boat from out of state, you must submit the forms in person at a tax collector's office or by mail. Some tax collector's offices may offer online registration for initial applications; contact yours to ask.

What if my boat's HIN is damaged or missing?

Contact the FWC or your county tax collector's office before you attempt to register. They can guide you through the process of obtaining a replacement HIN or documenting the damage. You may need to provide additional proof of ownership or have the boat inspected.

Do I need insurance to register a boat in Florida?

Florida does not require boat insurance to register a boat. However, if you financed the boat, your lender will require insurance as a condition of the loan. Even if it is not required, insurance is strongly recommended to protect yourself from liability and damage.