Boat Registration Requirements by State <?php echo e(now()->year); ?> | WildNotch.com
Find My License

Register Your Boat —
All 50 States

Find your state's boat registration requirements, fees, renewal links, and boater education requirements — all in one place. Most states let you register online in minutes.

All 50 States Covered Official Agency Links Boater Ed Requirements
50States Covered
50Online Registration
44Require Boater Ed
Official agency links
Registration fees
Title requirements
Boater Ed requirements
Exemptions guide
Why Register?

Why Boat Registration Matters

Safety on the Water
Registration numbers help identify and locate vessels quickly during emergencies, making rescue operations faster and more accurate for every boater on the water.
Fund Conservation
Registration fees directly fund aquatic resource protection, boat ramp improvements, waterway clean-ups, and wildlife management programs in your state.
Proof of Ownership
In most states, the registration certificate (and title, where required) serves as legal proof of ownership — essential for buying, selling, or insuring your boat.
Legal Compliance
Motorboats operated on public waters must be registered in the state of primary use. Operating without a valid registration can result in fines of $50–$500+.
Filter by region:
50 states
50 states shown
AL
Alabama
From $23.25 / 2yr
Boater Ed Required
Registration info Register online
AK
Alaska
From $24.00 / 1yr
Registration info Register online
AZ
Arizona
From $27.00 / 1yr
Boater Ed Required
Registration info Register online
AR
Arkansas
From $10.50 / 2yr
Boater Ed Required
Registration info Register online
CA
California
From $35.00 / 2yr
Boater Ed Required
Registration info Register online
CO
Colorado
From $35.25 / 1yr
Boater Ed Required
Registration info Register online
CT
Connecticut
From $30.00 / 2yr
Boater Ed Required
Registration info Register online
DE
Delaware
From $12.00 / 3yr
Boater Ed Required
Registration info Register online
FL
Florida
From $46.50 / 1yr
Boater Ed Required
Registration info Register online
GA
Georgia
From $35.00 / 1yr
Boater Ed Required
Registration info Register online
HI
Hawaii
From $30.00 / 1yr
Registration info Register online
ID
Idaho
From $28.00 / 1yr
Boater Ed Required
Registration info Register online
IL
Illinois
From $18.00 / 3yr
Boater Ed Required
Registration info Register online
IN
Indiana
From $15.00 / 3yr
Boater Ed Required
Registration info Register online
IA
Iowa
From $26.00 / 3yr
Boater Ed Required
Registration info Register online
KS
Kansas
From $42.50 / 1yr
Boater Ed Required
Registration info Register online
KY
Kentucky
From $10.00 / 1yr
Boater Ed Required
Registration info Register online
LA
Louisiana
From $10.00 / 3yr
Boater Ed Required
Registration info Register online
ME
Maine
From $35.00 / 1yr
Boater Ed Required
Registration info Register online
MD
Maryland
From $24.00 / 2yr
Boater Ed Required
Registration info Register online
MA
Massachusetts
From $45.00 / 2yr
Boater Ed Required
Registration info Register online
MI
Michigan
From $14.00 / 3yr
Boater Ed Required
Registration info Register online
MN
Minnesota
From $28.00 / 3yr
Boater Ed Required
Registration info Register online
MS
Mississippi
From $15.00 / 3yr
Registration info Register online
MO
Missouri
From $14.00 / 3yr
Boater Ed Required
Registration info Register online
MT
Montana
From $20.00 / 2yr
Boater Ed Required
Registration info Register online
NE
Nebraska
From $27.00 / 1yr
Boater Ed Required
Registration info Register online
NV
Nevada
From $25.00 / 1yr
Boater Ed Required
Registration info Register online
NH
New Hampshire
From $46.00 / 1yr
Boater Ed Required
Registration info Register online
NJ
New Jersey
From $43.00 / 3yr
Boater Ed Required
Registration info Register online
NM
New Mexico
From $30.00 / 1yr
Boater Ed Required
Registration info Register online
NY
New York
From $27.50 / 3yr
Boater Ed Required
Registration info Register online
NC
North Carolina
From $29.00 / 3yr
Boater Ed Required
Registration info Register online
ND
North Dakota
From $35.00 / 1yr
Boater Ed Required
Registration info Register online
OH
Ohio
From $30.00 / 3yr
Boater Ed Required
Registration info Register online
OK
Oklahoma
From $47.50 / 1yr
Boater Ed Required
Registration info Register online
OR
Oregon
From $82.00 / 2yr
Boater Ed Required
Registration info Register online
PA
Pennsylvania
From $45.00 / 2yr
Boater Ed Required
Registration info Register online
RI
Rhode Island
From $25.00 / 3yr
Boater Ed Required
Registration info Register online
SC
South Carolina
From $30.00 / 3yr
Boater Ed Required
Registration info Register online
SD
South Dakota
From $21.00 / 3yr
Registration info Register online
TN
Tennessee
From $21.50 / 1yr
Boater Ed Required
Registration info Register online
TX
Texas
From $32.00 / 2yr
Boater Ed Required
Registration info Register online
UT
Utah
From $35.00 / 1yr
Boater Ed Required
Registration info Register online
VT
Vermont
From $35.00 / 3yr
Registration info Register online
VA
Virginia
From $26.00 / 2yr
Boater Ed Required
Registration info Register online
WA
Washington
From $33.00 / 2yr
Boater Ed Required
Registration info Register online
WV
West Virginia
From $15.00 / 3yr
Boater Ed Required
Registration info Register online
WI
Wisconsin
From $22.00 / 1yr
Boater Ed Required
Registration info Register online
WY
Wyoming
From $10.00 / 1yr
Registration info Register online
FAQ

Common Boat Registration Questions

In most states, non-motorized vessels — including kayaks, canoes, paddleboards, and rowboats — do not require registration. However, some states (like Ohio and Pennsylvania) require all watercraft to be registered regardless of propulsion. Always check your specific state's rules.
Yes — a boat registered in your home state is generally valid for 60–90 days in other states. If you plan to use your boat primarily in another state for more than that period, you'll typically need to register it there.
Fees vary significantly by state and boat size. Entry-level fees for small motorboats range from $10 (Wyoming) to $82 (Oregon) per registration period. Most states charge $20–$50. Larger boats pay higher fees. Most states require registration every 1–3 years.
Most states require a title for motorboats above a certain size or horsepower (commonly 10 HP or over 16 ft). A title is proof of ownership, while registration is permission to operate. Some states combine both. A few states have no title requirement.
Boater education is a safety course covering vessel operation, navigation rules, emergency procedures, and state regulations. Most states require it for boaters born after a specific date — typically ranging from 1955 to 2003 depending on the state. All states offer approved online courses.
Registration numbers must be displayed on both sides of the forward half of the hull, in block characters at least 3 inches high, in a color contrasting with the hull. The validation sticker goes near the registration number. Exact placement rules vary slightly by state.