Tag & Title Information - Vessels
Online Vessel Registration Renewal
Website Alert – Vessel Titling and Registration
The 2009 Florida Legislature amended statutory language relating to vessel titling and registration. Read more
All commercial and private vessels operated on the waters of the State of Florida must be registered and/or numbered with the following exceptions:
- A non-motor powered vessel less than 16 feet in length
- A vessel used exclusively on private lakes and ponds
- A vessel used exclusively as a ships lifeboat
Vessel Registration Fee Chart:
| Fees to Register Vessels (Recreational or Commercial) Effective July 1st, 2008 |
Amount |
|---|---|
| DUPLICATE VESSEL REGISTRATION | $2.75 |
| CLASS A-1 All vessels less than 12 feet in length, and motorized canoes |
$12.75 |
| CLASS A-2 12 feet or more and less than 16 feet in length |
$23.50 |
| CLASS 1 16 feet or more and less than 26 feet in length |
$36.00 |
| CLASS 2 26 feet or more and less than 40 feet in length |
$85.50 |
| CLASS 3 40 feet or more and less than 65 feet in length |
$135.00 |
| CLASS 4 65 feet or more and less than 110 feet in length |
$160.00 |
| CLASS 5 110 feet or more in length |
$197.00 |
| Dealer Classification | $32.75 |
| Commercial Fees: An additional commercial vessel license fee is required of all non-residents or aliens unless specifically exempted by statute. | $50.00 |
Registering And Titling A Vessel In Florida For The First Time
A vessel that is registered with another state may be used in Florida for no more than 90 days.
An out-of-state vessel owner who does not plan to become a permanent Florida resident but plans to operate a currently registered vessel in Florida waters for more than 90 days must obtain a temporary registration from the Tax Collector's office.
Not all states require a vessel to be titled, however, Florida does require a title. See the table below for a list of states which require vessel titles, which may be used to transfer to a Florida title and registration.
Title States
California |
Michigan |
North Carolina (optional) |
Vermont |
|---|---|---|---|
District of Columbia |
Minnesota |
Ohio |
Virginia |
Florida |
Mississippi |
Oklahoma |
Washington |
Idaho |
Missouri |
Oregon |
West Virginia |
Illinois |
Montana |
Pennsylvania |
Wisconsin |
Indiana |
Nebraska |
Rhode Island |
|
Iowa |
Nevada |
South Carolina |
|
Kentucky |
New Jersey |
South Dakota |
|
Maryland |
New Mexico |
Texas |
|
Massachusetts |
New York |
Utah |
To permanently register a vessel in Florida, you must present the following information:
- Current registration for the state where the vessel is registered.
- Title Document for the state where the vessel is titled (if a title state - See Table above).
- Proof of Sales Tax will be credited if vessel was purchased less than 6 months prior to registration.
- We highly recommend that you visit the Florida Vessel Title & Registration website for complete and up-to-date information.
Change of Address
In order to maintain accurate records, and to help ensure that each registered owner receives a renewal notice, all changes of address, with the appropriate FL number(s) or the vessel identification number(s), must be reported to the Tax Collector’s Office within 20 days.
In compliance with the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles a change of address request must be submitted in writing by US mail, to the appropriate mailing address, or in person at any of our Tax Collector's office locations. Please use the address above to send all written requests.
Registration Address Change Form
An updated registration will be provided at a charge of $2.75.
Donations
Donations to the Manatee or Turtle Funds can be made for any amount. Registrants will receive an emblem for their vessel if a donation of $5.00 or more is made with initial registration or renewal. The donated funds are used by the Save the Manatee Fund & the Save the Turtle Fund to study and protect these Florida treasures.
Duplicate Titles
A duplicate title may be obtained by completing a HSMV 82101 Application for Duplicate or Lost in Transit/Reassignment for Motor Vehicle, Mobile Home or Vessel Title Certificate. It must be signed and submitted to the Tax Collector with the following fees:
- $6.50 for electronic title only.
- $9.00 to have the title printed and mailed.
- $11.50 if you wish to have this processed as a fast title.
If an outstanding lien exists, the lienholder must sign the application or attach a lien satisfaction.
A lost in transit title may be applied for within 180 days of issuance, free of charge.
Fast Title Service
The Fast Title service is available for an additional fee of $5.00. Visit any one of our five office locations for an original title, title transfer or duplicate title while you wait.
If all documentation is correct, a Certificate of Title is produced in the office and is available upon conclusion of the transaction.
If the requester of the title is not the owner of the vehicle, the requester must have a Power of Attorney or an Authorization Affidavit from the vehicle owner.
Miscellaneous Title Applications and Transfers:
Contact the Tax Collector’s Office for information on miscellaneous title applications and transfers such as Death of Owner, Court Orders, Change of Name, Repossessions, Rebuilt Vessels, and Bankruptcy.
A Power of Attorney form may be required. Please note that it does require notarization.
New Vessels:
All new vessels must have a M.C.O. (Manufacturer's Certificate of Origin) or MSO (Manufacturer's Statement of Origin) which must be signed and notarized by a licensed dealer for transfer to buyer. The M.C.O. or M.S.O is attached to HSMV 82040 Application for Certificate of Title With/Without Registration or 82041, an application for Florida Title, which must be properly completed with owner’s complete name and Florida address, date of birth, sex, Driver license number, complete description of vessel and any lien to be recorded.
Sales Tax Information
- As required by Chapter 212 of the Florida Statutes, sales tax in Seminole County is 6% on the balance of the purchase price, less trade in, if any.
- Some transactions such as gifts, trade down or even trade, order of court in divorce proceedings, inheritance, transfer to/from spouse, change of name only, etc., may be exempt from sales tax.
- If the vessel was purchased and used less than 6 months in another state, territory of the United States or the District of Columbia, the full amount of the 6% sales or use tax, plus any local discretionary sales surtax is required to be paid before title and registration can be issued by the department. However, a credit may be allowed for a like tax paid in another state, territory of the United States or the District of Columbia, against the amount of Florida sales or use tax and local discretionary sales surtax.
- The registrant's County of residence determines whether an additional local discretionary sales surtax is collected. For additional information view the Department of Revenue’s Discretionary Sales Surtax Information.
Two Year Registration
Effective January 1, 2008, most Florida residents will be able to purchase an extended registration for their vessels.
This extended registration period is for twenty-four (24) months. The fee is double the regular twelve (12) month fee and
non-refundable for any unused portion under any circumstances.
