How Much Does It Cost to Register a Boat in Minnesota?
Registering a boat in Minnesota costs $67–$277 per 3-year cycle, based on length. It's handled by the Minnesota DNR and renews every 3 years. Unpowered craft such as kayaks, canoes, and sailboats must also register. 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 | $22.33 | $22.00 |
| 20-ft motorboat | $52.33 | $22.00 |
| 28-ft motorboat | $73.33 | $22.00 |
| Kayak/canoe (no motor) | $22.33/yr — registration required | |
- All-in renewal totals (base fee + tiered AIS surcharge + issuing fee) under the December 2023 restructure — fees rose 35–70%. PWCs run about $116 per cycle.
- Watercraft over 10 ft must register, including canoes/kayaks (about $54 all-in per 3 years). Boats over 16 ft are titled.
Minnesota: common questions
Do I have to register a kayak or canoe in Minnesota?
Yes — Minnesota requires registration of unpowered craft as well. Adding any motor, including an electric trolling motor, always triggers the requirement.
How often do I renew a boat registration in Minnesota?
Every 3 years — the fee shown covers the full 3-year period.
Do I have to register my boat trailer separately in Minnesota?
Yes — in Minnesota 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 Minnesota trailer registration calculator for that cost.
Do I need a title for my boat in Minnesota?
Yes — Minnesota issues a boat title for a one-time $22 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 Minnesota?
Yes — personal watercraft (jet skis, Sea-Doos, WaveRunners) are motorized vessels, so they register just like boats in Minnesota, usually in the smallest length class. The same Minnesota DNR handles them, and the same fee schedule applies.
Where do I register a boat in Minnesota?
Boat registration in Minnesota is handled by the Minnesota DNR. 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 Minnesota cost
Your boat
- Registration fee (by length)$94 per 3-year cycle$93.99
- Title fee$22.00
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.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/cite/168.013 — last reviewed 2026-07-16.