Does Your Boat Need a Florida Title?
Not all boats need titles in Florida. The titling requirement depends on vessel length and type:
- Must be titled: All motorized vessels 16 feet or longer
- Must be titled: All Personal Watercraft (jet skis) regardless of length
- Must be titled: All vessels with an inboard engine, regardless of length
- Optional titling: Motorized vessels under 16 feet (you can get a title, but it's not required)
- Exempt from titling: Non-motorized kayaks, canoes, and paddle craft
- Exempt from titling: Non-motorized vessels under 16 feet
Even if your boat doesn't legally require a title, getting one is strongly recommended. It makes selling the boat significantly easier and protects you from ownership disputes. The fee is minimal ($5.25 base).
Florida Registration Fees
| Vessel Length | 2-Year Registration Fee | Decal Fee | Total Approximate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 12 feet | $27.10 | $5.50 | ~$33 |
| 12 ft – under 16 ft | $35.10 | $5.50 | ~$41 |
| 16 ft – under 26 ft | $57.10 | $5.50 | ~$63 |
| 26 ft – under 40 ft | $85.10 | $5.50 | ~$91 |
| 40 ft – under 65 ft | $132.10 | $5.50 | ~$138 |
| 65 ft and over | $181.10 | $5.50 | ~$187 |
| Personal Watercraft | $35.10 | $5.50 | ~$41 |
Note: County tax collectors may add a service fee of $3–$8. Registration fees are in addition to the title fee ($5.25) and any applicable sales tax.
Sales Tax on Florida Boat Purchases
Florida collects 6% state sales tax on boat purchases, plus your county surtax (typically 0.5%–1.5%). Maximum sales tax on any single boat transaction is $18,000 — so on boats purchased for more than $300,000, you pay $18,000 in tax regardless of purchase price above that threshold. This cap makes Florida particularly attractive for high-value boat purchases.
Sales tax is collected by the county tax collector at the time of registration. Private seller purchases are subject to sales tax just as dealer purchases are — the state expects you to report and pay it when you go to register.
Exemptions: Commercial fishing vessels, vessels used exclusively in interstate commerce, and boats purchased for immediate export outside Florida may qualify for exemptions. Contact the Florida DOR at (800) 352-3671 for commercial exemption questions.
How to Register a Boat in Florida — Step by Step
- Gather your documents. You need: completed Form HSMV 82040 (Application for Certificate of Title), proof of ownership (title signed over to you, or MCO for new boat), photo ID, and payment.
- Go to your county tax collector's office. Not the DMV — boat registration in Florida is handled exclusively by county tax collector offices. Find yours at myfloridacounty.com. Most counties also allow online renewal for existing registrations.
- Submit application and pay fees. You'll pay the registration fee (based on length), the title fee ($5.25 if titling), and any sales tax owed. Bring a check or card — cash is accepted at most offices.
- Receive registration certificate and decal. Your registration certificate (card) is issued same day. Decals are typically mailed within 3 weeks. You'll display the month decal on the port (left) side bow and the year decal on the starboard (right) side bow.
- Display your registration numbers. The FL number (format: FL XXXX XX) must be painted or permanently affixed to the forward half of the hull on both sides, in block letters at least 3 inches tall. Color must contrast with the hull. Leave a hyphen or space between letters and numbers: FL-1234-AB.
Title Transfer After Private Sale in Florida
Buying from a private seller? Here's the Florida-specific process:
- Seller completes the assignment of title section on the back of the Florida Certificate of Title. Required fields: buyer's full legal name and address, purchase price, date of sale, and seller's signature. Notarization is NOT required in Florida for most standard title transfers.
- If a lien is listed on the front of the title, a lien release letter from the lender must accompany the title.
- Both buyer and seller complete their respective sections of HSMV 82040 (or the buyer completes a new application).
- Take to county tax collector: original signed title, completed HSMV 82040, photo ID, bill of sale (recommended, not required), payment.
- Walk-in: title transferred same day for the records; new title certificate mailed in 3 weeks. Temporary operating permit (HSMV 87002) issued for $1.50, valid 30 days — use this while you wait for your new title.
Florida Boat Registration — No Title
If you're registering a Florida boat with no title, the process depends on the situation:
- Vessel under 16 feet, motorized, title never existed: Register with a notarized bill of sale + HSMV 82040. No title required for vessels this size.
- Vessel 16 feet or longer, no title: You need a bonded title. Purchase a surety bond for 1.5× the vessel's appraised value, then submit with HSMV 82040 and the $5.25 title fee. FWC processes bonded titles in approximately 3–5 weeks.
- Homemade vessel: Must pass a FWC physical inspection. Contact FWC Boating & Waterways at (850) 488-5600 to schedule. FWC will assign a Florida registration number used as the HIN.
Full details: Complete No-Title Guide.
Florida Late Registration Fees
Florida has no grace period. Registrations expire on the last day of the birth month of the owner (for individual owners) or on a fixed date for businesses. Late fees:
- 1–6 months overdue: $5 late fee
- 7–12 months overdue: $10 late fee
- Over 12 months overdue: $50 late fee
- Cited by FWC on water: $50 civil citation (operating on expired registration), potentially escalating to second-degree misdemeanor ($500 fine + possible jail) for egregious cases
Florida Registration Renewal — Online Option
Florida allows online registration renewal at gorenew.com or through your county tax collector's website. You can also renew by mail or in person. Online renewal is immediate — you print a temporary certificate while the new decal arrives by mail (7–10 business days). Online renewal requires your FL number and hull ID number.
Key Florida Contacts
- FWC Boating & Waterways Section: (850) 488-5600 | myfwc.com/boating
- Florida DHSMV: (850) 617-2000 | flhsmv.gov
- County Tax Collectors: myfloridacounty.com (find your county)
- Online Renewal: gorenew.com
- Lien search / title history: gorenew.com ($2 per inquiry)
Florida Boat Registration Checklist
Everything you need to bring to the county tax collector — new registration, transfer, or renewal.
Frequently Asked Questions — Florida
Yes — Florida issues a Temporary Operation Permit (HSMV 87002) at the tax collector's office for $1.50. It's valid for 30 days and must be on board while operating. This gives you time to receive your permanent registration certificate and decals by mail.
If the name is misspelled, bring your ID and registration to any county tax collector and request a correction — typically no fee. If the name is completely wrong (wrong person), you need to show proof of proper title transfer. Contact your county tax collector before going in.
Florida requires a boating safety education certificate for anyone born on or after January 1, 1988 who operates a motorized vessel. The course can be completed online through NASBLA-approved providers (typically $20–$30). There is no minimum age to operate in Florida, but children under 14 cannot operate a vessel over 10 horsepower without a licensed adult on board.
For Florida estates under $75,000 in total value, an Affidavit of Heir can be used instead of full probate — submit with HSMV 82040. For larger estates, Letters Testamentary from the probate court are required. Contact your county tax collector with the specific situation — processes vary based on whether there was a will, whether the boat was jointly owned, and estate value.