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How to Register a Boat in Florida: Miami-Dade Owner's Guide
By Scott Blaine Hoffman · November 14, 2026 · 5 min read
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Just bought a boat in Aventura, Sunny Isles or anywhere else in Miami-Dade? Florida gives you a short window to get it titled and registered, and the process is simpler than most new owners expect. This guide walks through who needs to register, what to bring to the tax collector, what it costs, and how to display your numbers so you don't get stopped on your first run out Haulover Inlet.
Who has to register a boat in Florida
Under Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) rules, any vessel with a motor that's operated on Florida's public waterways must be titled and registered. That includes a 10-foot tender with a small outboard just as much as a 45-foot sportfish.
The main exemptions from registration are:
- Non-motorized vessels under 16 feet
- Non-motorized canoes, kayaks, racing shells and rowing sculls of any length
- Boats used only on private lakes or ponds
- Boats used exclusively as a ship's lifeboat
Federally documented vessels don't get a Florida title, but they still register with the state and carry a Florida validation decal.
The 30-day rule
From the date you buy a new or used boat, you have 30 days to title and register it. During that period, keep proof of the purchase date (your bill of sale) aboard. FLHSMV states that operating an unregistered vessel after the 30 days is a second-degree misdemeanor, so don't let it slide.
What to bring to the tax collector
You apply in person at any county tax collector's office or licensed tag agency. In Miami-Dade that's the Miami-Dade Tax Collector or one of its authorized auto tag agencies. Each owner listed on the application must be present with accepted ID (Florida driver license, state ID, passport or military ID), or send someone with an original or certified power of attorney.
Documents by purchase type
| How you bought it | What to bring |
|---|---|
| New from a dealer | Manufacturer's Certificate (Statement) of Origin plus the dealer invoice showing price and tax |
| Used, Florida-titled | Florida title signed by buyer and seller, plus a bill of sale |
| Used, titled in another state | The out-of-state title signed over to you, plus a bill of sale |
| Used, from a state that doesn't title boats | That state's current registration and a bill of sale from the registered owner |
The bill of sale should fully describe the boat: make, length, year, hull identification number (HIN), and the price. If you're buying from a private seller, check that the HIN on the hull matches the title before you hand over any money. A professional survey and a lien check are worth it on anything beyond a small runabout.
What it costs
You'll pay three things: a title fee, a registration fee and, if it hasn't been paid already, sales or use tax.
Title fee
FLHSMV lists the title fee at $5.25 for an electronic title or $7.75 for a paper title, plus $1 per lien recorded and $4 more if the boat was previously registered outside Florida.
Registration fee (annual, by length)
| Class | Length | State fee |
|---|---|---|
| A-1 | Under 12 ft | $5.50 |
| A-2 | 12 to under 16 ft | $16.25 |
| 1 | 16 to under 26 ft | $28.75 |
| 2 | 26 to under 40 ft | $78.25 |
| 3 | 40 to under 65 ft | $127.75 |
| 4 | 65 to under 110 ft | $152.75 |
| 5 | 110 ft and up | $189.75 |
A $2.25 service fee and a $0.50 FRVIS fee are added, and counties may add an optional county fee. You can register for one or two years at a time. Non-residents may owe an additional $50 commercial vessel license fee unless exempt. Fees change, so confirm on FLHSMV's site before you go.
Sales and use tax
According to the Florida Department of Revenue, boats are taxed at 6% plus any local discretionary surtax, which only applies to the first $5,000 of the price. The total tax on a single boat is capped at $18,000. On a private-party sale, the tax is collected by the tax collector when you register. If the seller itemizes a separate price for an outboard motor and accessories on the bill of sale, those may be exempt in a casual sale, so ask the seller to list them separately.
Bought the boat out of state? Florida use tax is due if you bring it into Florida within six months of purchase, with credit for sales tax you already paid to the other state.
Displaying your numbers and decal
After you register, you'll get a certificate (keep it aboard whenever you're underway) and a decal. Florida's display rules:
- Numbers go on both sides of the forward half of the hull, reading left to right
- Plain block characters at least 3 inches tall, in a color that contrasts with the hull
- Separate the letters from the numbers with a space or hyphen (FL 1234 AB or FL-1234-AB)
- The decal goes on the port (left) side, within 6 inches of the numbers and in line with them
- Remove expired decals when you put on the new one
Pre-cut vinyl registration numbers are sold at marine stores; West Marine in Aventura carries them, or you can order registration letters from West Marine online.
Don't forget the boater education card
Registration covers the boat, not the driver. In Florida, anyone born on or after January 1, 1988 needs a Boating Safety Education ID Card from FWC to operate a boat with 10 horsepower or more. Have it aboard alongside your registration.
Buying, selling and keeping it local
If you're still shopping, browse local boats for sale around Aventura or compare listings on Boat Trader. Selling? A clean title and a ready bill of sale make for a faster deal. You can list your boat for sale on Aventura Boating where local buyers are looking, and see our step-by-step selling guide. Once you're registered, find a home for it in our marina directory or slips for rent, and consider a towing membership such as BoatUS before your first trip offshore.
FAQ
How long do I have to register a boat in Florida after buying it?
You have 30 days from the purchase date to title and register a new or used boat. Keep the bill of sale aboard until then.
Do I need to register a kayak or paddleboard in Florida?
No. Non-motorized canoes, kayaks and similar craft are exempt at any length. Add a motor, though, and registration is required.
What is the maximum sales tax on a boat in Florida?
The Florida Department of Revenue caps the tax on a single boat at $18,000. Local surtax applies only to the first $5,000 of the price.
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