How Much Does It Cost to Register a Boat in Montana?
Registering a boat in Montana costs $65.5–$292.5 one-time (permanent), based on length. It's handled by the county treasurer (FWP sets boating rules) and renews once — registration is permanent. 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 | $0.00 | $77.50 |
| 20-ft motorboat | $0.00 | $304.50 |
| 28-ft motorboat | $0.00 | $304.50 |
| Kayak/canoe (no motor) | Free — exempt from registration | |
- Registration is one-time and permanent: $65.50 under 16 ft, $125.50 to 19 ft, $292.50 at 19 ft and over — no periodic validation decals required.
- Sailboats 12 ft+ must register; canoes/kayaks/rafts are exempt.
Montana: common questions
Do I have to register a kayak or canoe in Montana?
Generally no — unpowered craft are exempt in Montana. But the moment you mount any motor, including an electric trolling motor, registration is required.
How often do I renew a boat registration in Montana?
Never — Montana boat registration is one-time and permanent.
Do I have to register my boat trailer separately in Montana?
Yes — in Montana 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 Montana trailer registration calculator for that cost.
Do I need a title for my boat in Montana?
Yes — Montana issues a boat title for a one-time $12 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 Montana?
Yes — personal watercraft (jet skis, Sea-Doos, WaveRunners) are motorized vessels, so they register just like boats in Montana, usually in the smallest length class. The same county treasurer (FWP sets boating rules) handles them, and the same fee schedule applies.
Where do I register a boat in Montana?
Boat registration in Montana is handled by the county treasurer (FWP sets boating rules). 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. Because registration here is permanent, you only do this once.
Estimate your exact Montana cost
Your boat
- Permanent registration (by length)One-time — no renewal required$125.50
- Title fee$12.00
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.yellowstonecountymt.gov/Treasurer/MotorV/schedules.asp — last reviewed 2026-07-16.