How Much Does It Cost to Register a Boat in Ohio?
Registering a boat in Ohio costs $33–$93 per 3-year cycle, based on length. It's handled by the Ohio DNR Division of Parks & Watercraft 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 | $11.00 | $15.00 |
| 20-ft motorboat | $16.00 | $15.00 |
| 28-ft motorboat | $21.00 | $15.00 |
| Kayak/canoe (no motor) | $11.00/yr — registration required | |
- Hand-powered canoes/kayaks register for about $20 per 3 years ($25 for the unnumbered alternative registration); sail-only vessels add $5.
- Boats 14 ft+ or 10+ hp must be titled. HB 96 leaves watercraft fees unchanged through at least 2027.
Ohio: common questions
Do I have to register a kayak or canoe in Ohio?
Yes — Ohio 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 Ohio?
Every 3 years — the fee shown covers the full 3-year period.
Do I have to register my boat trailer separately in Ohio?
Yes — in Ohio 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 Ohio trailer registration calculator for that cost.
Do I need a title for my boat in Ohio?
Yes — Ohio 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 Ohio?
Yes — personal watercraft (jet skis, Sea-Doos, WaveRunners) are motorized vessels, so they register just like boats in Ohio, usually in the smallest length class. The same Ohio DNR Division of Parks & Watercraft handles them, and the same fee schedule applies.
Where do I register a boat in Ohio?
Boat registration in Ohio is handled by the Ohio DNR Division of Parks & Watercraft. 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 Ohio cost
Your boat
- Registration fee (by length)$48 per 3-year cycle$48.00
- 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.bmv.ohio.gov/doc-fees.aspx — last reviewed 2026-07-16.