How Much Does It Cost to Register a Boat in Kansas?
Registering a boat in Kansas costs a flat $42.5 per 3-year cycle. It's handled by the Kansas Department of Wildlife & Parks and renews every 3 years. 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 | $14.17 | — |
| 20-ft motorboat | $14.17 | — |
| 28-ft motorboat | $14.17 | — |
| Kayak/canoe (no motor) | Free — exempt from registration | |
- Flat fee for all boats regardless of size. Paddle-only craft are exempt; sail-propelled vessels must register.
- Kansas does not title boats or motors.
Kansas: common questions
Do I have to register a kayak or canoe in Kansas?
Generally no — unpowered craft are exempt in Kansas. But the moment you mount any motor, including an electric trolling motor, registration is required.
How often do I renew a boat registration in Kansas?
Every 3 years — the fee shown covers the full 3-year period.
Do I have to register my boat trailer separately in Kansas?
Yes — in Kansas 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 Kansas trailer registration calculator for that cost.
Do I need a title for my boat in Kansas?
No — Kansas does not title boats. Your Certificate of Number (the registration) serves as the ownership record, so there's no separate title fee.
Do I have to register a jet ski or PWC in Kansas?
Yes — personal watercraft (jet skis, Sea-Doos, WaveRunners) are motorized vessels, so they register just like boats in Kansas, usually in the smallest length class. The same Kansas Department of Wildlife & Parks handles them, and the same fee schedule applies.
Where do I register a boat in Kansas?
Boat registration in Kansas is handled by the Kansas Department of Wildlife & Parks. 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 3 years before your decal expires.
Estimate your exact Kansas cost
Your boat
- Registration fee$42.5 per 3-year cycle$42.51
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://kansastreasurers.org/index.php/motor-vehicle/titling-fees-refunds/ — last reviewed 2026-07-21.