How Much Does It Cost to Register a Boat in New Hampshire?
Registering a boat in New Hampshire costs $24–$92 per year, based on length. It's handled by the New Hampshire DMV (town clerks/agents) 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 | $24.00 | — |
| 20-ft motorboat | $34.00 | — |
| 28-ft motorboat | $52.00 | — |
| Kayak/canoe (no motor) | Free — exempt from registration | |
- Base tiers per the statute amended January 2025. Add roughly $20 in surcharges (lake restoration $9.50, boat access $5, agent fee $5, search & rescue $1) plus a value-based in-lieu fee that scales with hull type, length, and age ($10 minimum).
- New Hampshire does not title boats; only motorized vessels register.
New Hampshire: common questions
Do I have to register a kayak or canoe in New Hampshire?
Generally no — unpowered craft are exempt in New Hampshire. But the moment you mount any motor, including an electric trolling motor, registration is required.
How often do I renew a boat registration in New Hampshire?
Annually.
Do I have to register my boat trailer separately in New Hampshire?
Yes — in New Hampshire 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 New Hampshire trailer registration calculator for that cost.
Do I need a title for my boat in New Hampshire?
No — New Hampshire 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 New Hampshire?
Yes — personal watercraft (jet skis, Sea-Doos, WaveRunners) are motorized vessels, so they register just like boats in New Hampshire, usually in the smallest length class. The same New Hampshire DMV (town clerks/agents) handles them, and the same fee schedule applies.
Where do I register a boat in New Hampshire?
Boat registration in New Hampshire is handled by the New Hampshire DMV (town clerks/agents). 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 New Hampshire cost
Your boat
- Registration fee (by length)$34.00
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://gc.nh.gov/rsa/html/XXI/261/261-153.htm · https://gc.nh.gov/rsa/html/XXI/261/261-141-c.htm — last reviewed 2026-07-16.