Method of Registration
All vessels operated on the waters of Florida must be registered and/0r numbered in Florida except as
follows:
(a) vessels used exclusively on private lakes or ponds.
(b) vessels owned by the Federal Government.
(c) vessels used exclusively as life boats.
(d) non—motorapowered vessels.
(e) vessels with a current number from another state or from another country temporarily using Florida waters (less than 90 consecutive days).
In addition, all vessels except those documented vessels and non—motor-powered boats less than 16 feet
in length must be titled in Florida.
Apply for your title and registration with the state tax collectors. You must provide proofof ownership by submitting with the application an executed bill of sale, a builder’s contract, a manufacturer’s statement of origin,a federal marine document, or other documents acceptable to the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. The registration must be renewed each year on your birthday.
The annual fees are as follows:
Class A-1 (less than 12′ and all motor—powered canoes regardless oflength) $7.25
Class A—2 (12′ to less than 16′) $14.25
Class 1 (16′ to less than 26′) $22.25
Class 2 (26′ to less than 40′) $54.25
Class 3 (40′ to less than 65′) $86.25
Class 4 (65′ to less than 110′) $102.25
Class 5 (110′ and over) $126.25
Included in the above is a service fee of $2.25 and a
$0.50 FRVIS fee. The fee for titling a vessel is $5.25. To title a vessel, you must show proof of
payment of sales tax for the vessel, motor and trailer. Properly registered vessels and outboard motors
capable of powering such vessels are exempt from personal property tax.
Upon receipt and approval of your registration, you will be issued a certificate of number and a validation decal. The certificate of number is pocket—sized and must be on board whenever the boat is used. The boats number must be properly displayed as follows:
How to Properly Display boat numbers
1. The figures are to read from left to right.
2. They must be displayed on the forward half of each side of the boat.
3. Numbers must be in bold, block letters of good proportion.
4. Numbers must be not less than three inches (3″) high.
5. They must be of a contrasting color to the boat hull or background.
6. They must be as high above the waterline as practical
7. No number other than the number assigned can be displayed on the forward half of the vessel.
8. Letters must be separated from numbers by spaces or hyphens.
9. Validation decals must be displayed within six inches of the number display on the port side.
Florida law requires titling of most undocumented motorboats and non-motor—powered vessels over 16 feet in length.