Florida Boating License: Cost, Requirements & How to Buy
Florida registers boats by a length-based class system rather than a flat fee, and unlike most states on this site, registration renews every year instead of every two or three. Nearly every boat needs a title as well as registration, issued through FLHSMV or a county tax collector's office rather than the hunting and fishing license portal.
Fee shown is Class 1 (16 ft to under 26 ft), the most common recreational size. Florida's full schedule: Class A-1 under 12 ft and motorized canoes $5.50, Class A-2 12-16 ft $16.25, Class 1 16-26 ft $28.75, Class 2 26-40 ft $78.25, Class 3 40-65 ft $127.75, with higher classes for larger vessels. Registration renews annually and Florida does not set a separate non-resident rate. A title is also required at registration ($5.25 electronic, $7.75 paper, $11 expedited). Non-motorized vessels under 16 feet (canoes, kayaks, most sailboats without motors) are exempt.
Fee last verified 2026-09-11.
Heading out for Florida boating? Game wardens require carrying physical or digital license proof and valid tags. Equip yourself with a waterproof license and tag pouch, rechargeable wide-beam LED headlamp, and corrosion-resistant multi-tool pliers before your trip.
What Florida boat registration costs
Florida's classes run from A-1 (under 12 feet and all motorized canoes) at $5.50, to A-2 (12 to under 16 feet) at $16.25, to Class 1 (16 to under 26 feet, the most common recreational size) at $28.75, Class 2 (26 to under 40 feet) at $78.25, Class 3 (40 to under 65 feet) at $127.75, and higher classes for larger vessels up to $189.75. Florida does not set a separate non-resident rate.
The title requirement
Florida requires a title at registration for nearly every powered vessel, priced by how fast you need it: $5.25 for an electronic title, $7.75 for a paper title, or $11 for expedited (fast) title service. Recording an existing lien on the boat adds $1. A boat coming from a state with no title system may need additional paperwork before FLHSMV will issue one.
Registration renews annually
Unlike Ohio's 3-year cycle or Texas's 2-year cycle, Florida boat registration renews every year. Some county tax collectors offer a 2-year renewal option for an added fee, but the default is annual. Registration decals expire on the last day of the owner's birth month (or, for businesses, June 30), so the renewal date is tied to the owner, not the boat's original registration date.
What is exempt from registration
Non-motorized vessels under 16 feet, including most canoes, kayaks and small sailboats without an auxiliary motor, are exempt from Florida registration. Motorized canoes fall under Class A-1 and do need to register despite being human-paddled boats with a small motor added.
How to register your boat in Florida
Register and title through FLHSMV or, in most counties, your local county tax collector's office, which handles the bulk of vessel transactions in person. Bring proof of ownership (a bill of sale or the prior title), photo ID, and be ready to pay the registration fee, the title fee, and small add-ons like the Save the Manatee Trust Fund fee.
Planning more than one? See the Florida hunting license and the Florida fishing license pages too, see non-resident boating fees across states, browse every state, or use the state license finder.