Boat Registration Cost by State (2026)
For a standard 18-foot motorized powerboat, annual registration is cheapest in Arkansas ($5) and most expensive in Oregon ($63.5). Most states price boat registration by length on 1-to-3-year cycles, so a longer boat costs more — the figures here standardize on an 18-ft boat so the states are comparable.
Boat registration in the U.S. is a patchwork: it's handled by the DMV in some states and the wildlife or parks department in others, priced by length almost everywhere, and renewed on 1-, 2-, or 3-year cycles. To compare states fairly, every figure below is the annualized cost to register the same boat — a standard 18-foot motorized powerboat. Non-motorized kayaks and canoes are exempt in many states. Click any state for the full length-by-length breakdown.
The full 50-state ranking
| Rank | State | Annual (18-ft powerboat) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Montana | $0 |
| 2 | Arkansas | $5 |
| 3 | Alaska | $8 |
| 4 | Mississippi | $8.66 |
| 5 | California | $10 |
| 6 | South Carolina | $10 |
| 7 | Wisconsin | $10.67 |
| 8 | Virginia | $12 |
| 9 | Iowa | $13.88 |
| 10 | Michigan | $14 |
| 11 | Kansas | $14.17 |
| 12 | New York | $15 |
| 13 | North Dakota | $15 |
| 14 | West Virginia | $15 |
| 15 | Ohio | $16 |
| 16 | Illinois | $16.67 |
| 17 | Missouri | $18.33 |
| 18 | Nebraska | $18.33 |
| 19 | Louisiana | $19 |
| 20 | Pennsylvania | $19.5 |
| 21 | Hawaii | $20 |
| 22 | Georgia | $23.33 |
| 23 | Rhode Island | $23.5 |
| 24 | Indiana | $25 |
| 25 | Nevada | $25 |
| 26 | New Mexico | $25 |
| 27 | Texas | $26.5 |
| 28 | New Jersey | $28 |
| 29 | Alabama | $30 |
| 30 | Arizona | $30 |
| 31 | Utah | $30 |
| 32 | Tennessee | $30.5 |
| 33 | Minnesota | $31.33 |
| 34 | Massachusetts | $33 |
| 35 | Washington | $33 |
| 36 | Florida | $34 |
| 37 | New Hampshire | $34 |
| 38 | North Carolina | $34 |
| 39 | Maryland | $35 |
| 40 | South Dakota | $35 |
| 41 | Delaware | $40 |
| 42 | Wyoming | $40 |
| 43 | Idaho | $46 |
| 44 | Maine | $46 |
| 45 | Vermont | $49 |
| 46 | Kentucky | $50 |
| 47 | Connecticut | $60 |
| 48 | Oklahoma | $60 |
| 49 | Colorado | $61.25 |
| 50 | Oregon | $63.5 |
Cheapest: Arkansas ($5). Most expensive: Oregon ($63.5). That's a 13× difference between the top and bottom of the list. All figures computed from official fee schedules verified July 2026.
Frequently asked questions
Which state has the cheapest boat registration?
Arkansas has among the lowest boat registration costs at about $5/year for a standard 18-ft powerboat. A handful of states charge only a small flat fee regardless of length.
Which state has the most expensive boat registration?
Oregon tops the list at about $63.5/year for the same boat. States that price steeply by length or add a use tax at the top of the range cost the most for larger boats.
How is boat registration priced?
Almost every state charges by boat length, usually in brackets (e.g., under 16 ft, 16–26 ft, 26–40 ft), on a 1-to-3-year renewal cycle. Some states add a title fee, and a few charge a one-time use tax on the purchase. Kayaks, canoes, and other non-motorized craft are exempt in many states.
Do I register my boat with the DMV?
It depends on the state. Many states register boats through their Department of Natural Resources, wildlife, or parks agency rather than the DMV. Each state page shows which agency handles it and how to register.
Cite this data
Free to use with attribution (CC-BY 4.0). Read how we verify every fee. Custom data for journalists: admin@registryfee.com.