Florida boat
registration summary presents an overview of boat titling, registration,
loan perfection, and operational requirements for the State of
Florida. More detailed information, forms, guidelines, and other
resources are obtainable by downloading a
Boat Registration Kit
for this state. You will also find an extensive listing of general
purpose boat and trailer registration forms on our Forms
page.
Please visit our
State page for additional
articles and information about registering or titling boats, trailers,
and outboard motors.
The information presented here is subject to change and should be
confirmed with the respective state agency.
|
Boat Registration Numbering |
The boat
registration number prefix for Florida is "FL". There
are approximately 989,000 boats registered in this state. |
|
Title Requirements |
Boat titles
are issued on all registered boats in Florida except those which are Coast
Guard documented. |
|
Registration Requirements |
All boats
must be registered in Florida except those under 16' without motors.
Military personnel are exempt from boat registration until their
out of state registration expires.
Registration is required on Coast Guard documented vessels. Boat
registrations are issued on an annual basis. |
|
State Taxes |
Sales or use
tax is levied on all first time registrations and ownership
transfers in Florida. Tax rates vary by county. A documentary stamp tax is
also required for boat loan contracts which are executed within
the State of Florida. |
|
Loan Perfection |
Security
interests on non-documented boats which are state titled must be
recorded on the state title records. On
Coast Guard documented vessels, a preferred mortgage must be
recorded on the vessel's abstract of title. A UCC financing
statement must be filed if the boat is neither titled or
documented. |
|
Registration Agency |
Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. |
|
Boat Records |
Boat
registration records
are maintained for 10 years. Information on how to obtain verbal
verifications and printed records can be
found in our
Boat Registration Kit for this state. |
|
Ownership Designations |
Co-owners are
recognized by "and" or "or" designations. Other types of joint
tenancy are also recognized. |
|
Residency Requirements |
A boat must
be located in Florida to qualify for registration and titling,
but owner residency is not required. |
|
Electronic Titles |
This state
has an electronic titling system for lenders. |
|
Outboard Motors |
Florida does
not require registration and titling on outboard motors. |
|
Hull Inspections |
Hull
identification numbers must be inspected by a Florida law
enforcement official if
there is a discrepancy. |
|
Boat Trailers |
Boat trailers
are registered but not titled in the State of Florida. |
|
Notary Public |
An embossing
seal or inked stamp must be employed by notaries in this state. |
|
Dealer Licensing |
Boat dealers
and brokers are licensed and must provide a $25,000 surety bond. |
|
Visitation Period |
A visitation
period of 90 days is allowed for boats that are Coast Guard
documented, foreign titled, or registered in another state. |
