How Much Does It Cost to Register a Boat in Indiana?
Registering a boat in Indiana costs a flat $25 per year. It's handled by the Indiana BMV and renews annually. 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 | $25.00 | $15.00 |
| 20-ft motorboat | $25.00 | $15.00 |
| 28-ft motorboat | $25.00 | $15.00 |
| Kayak/canoe (no motor) | Free — exempt from registration | |
- Renewal fee is tiered by the boat's excise class ($15–$60 by original value); a mid-class boat is shown. First registrations use a length fee plus class fee instead.
- An annual boat excise tax ($2–$500 by class and age) is added. Sailboats must register; paddlecraft are exempt.
Indiana: common questions
Do I have to register a kayak or canoe in Indiana?
Generally no — unpowered craft are exempt in Indiana. But the moment you mount any motor, including an electric trolling motor, registration is required.
How often do I renew a boat registration in Indiana?
Annually.
Do I have to register my boat trailer separately in Indiana?
Yes — in Indiana the boat and the trailer are two separate registrations. The boat's fee is above; the trailer registers as a utility trailer with the motor-vehicle agency, priced by the trailer's weight (often a low flat fee or a one-time permanent plate). See our Indiana trailer registration calculator for that cost.
Do I need a title for my boat in Indiana?
Yes — Indiana issues a boat title for a one-time $15 fee, generally required for larger or newer motorized vessels (smaller craft are often exempt). The title is separate from the registration fee shown above.
Do I have to register a jet ski or PWC in Indiana?
Yes — personal watercraft (jet skis, Sea-Doos, WaveRunners) are motorized vessels, so they register just like boats in Indiana, usually in the smallest length class. The same Indiana BMV handles them, and the same fee schedule applies.
Where do I register a boat in Indiana?
Boat registration in Indiana is handled by the Indiana BMV. You can generally register in person, by mail, or online, and you'll need proof of ownership (a bill of sale or title) plus the fee shown above. Renew every year before your decal expires.
Estimate your exact Indiana cost
Your boat
- Registration fee$25.00
- Title fee$15.00
Estimate only — actual fees are set by your state and county at the time of registration. Data last reviewed 2026-07-16.
All figures computed from official fee schedules — sources: https://www.in.gov/bmv/files/Fee_Chart.pdf · https://www.in.gov/bmv/fees-taxes/vehicle-registration-fees-and-taxes/excise-tax-information/ — last reviewed 2026-07-16.