How Much Does It Cost to Register a Boat in Arkansas?
In Arkansas, boat registration is handled by the Arkansas Department of Finance & Administration and renews every 3 years. The fee is based on boat length — from $7.5 for the smallest class up to $105 for the largest per cycle. Non-motorized craft like kayaks and canoes are generally exempt (check local rules for sailboats). Boats with motors — including trolling motors on otherwise unpowered craft — almost always require registration.
Cost by boat size
| Boat | Per year | One-time (title etc.) |
|---|---|---|
| 14-ft motorboat | $2.50 | — |
| 20-ft motorboat | $5.00 | — |
| 28-ft motorboat | $17.00 | — |
| Kayak/canoe (no motor) | Free — exempt from registration | |
- Arkansas does not title boats — the Certificate of Number is the ownership record.
Estimate your exact Arkansas cost
Your boat
- Registration fee (by length)$15 per 3-year cycle$15.00
Estimate only — actual fees are set by your state and county at the time of registration. Data last reviewed 2026-07-16. This state's full local formula is not yet implemented; see the notes below the calculator.
All figures computed from official fee schedules — sources: https://www.dfa.arkansas.gov/motor-vehicle/ — last reviewed 2026-07-16.