Florida Boat Registration Overview

All you should know about registering and titling a boat in Florida.

Florida boat registration and titling overview is a public service designed to inform boaters about operational requirements, recording methods, and record search lookups for the State of Florida. This includes essential references for the most detailed and accurate information currently available.

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Florida Boat Registration Agency

Florida boat registrations and titles are administered by the Department of Motor Vehicles which is headquartered in Tallahassee. Vessels are integrated the same registration and title systems as those for vehicles.
Registration Services - Boat registration services are available from the DMV home office, field offices throughout the state or the respective county clerks offices.
Renewal Services - Renewals may be implemented online from the Florida DMV boat registration website, its home office, any field office or a county clerk's office.
Registration Statistics - There are approximately 922,915 boats currently registered in the State of Florida which accounts for 6% nationwide. USCG vessel documentation records indicate 34,600 owners with a Florida address and 36,646 documented vessels that display a Florida hailing port.
Uniform Titling - Florida has adopted the Uniform Certificate of Title for Vessels Act (UCOTVA) which basically sets the same nationwide standards for boat titling as those for vehicles. This includes title branding. However, it is not yet fully compliant.
Vessel Information System - Florida participates in the Vessel Identification System (VIS) where boat registration data is shared among government agencies throughout the nation.

Florida Boat Registration Requirements

Florida requires registration and titling on all non-exempt boats that operate within its jurisdictional waters. The following are basic requirements and exemptions with further details available from the Referrals.
Motor Boats - All motorized boats must be registered in Florida.
Sailboats - All sailboats must be registered in Florida if 16 feet or longer.
Dinghies and Lifeboats - Non-motorized canoe, kayak, racing shell or rowing scull, or boats used exclusively as lifeboats are exempt.
Documented Vessels - Coast Guard documented vessels are not exempt from registration in Florida, although exempt from titling.
Visiting Boats - Boats currently registered in another state or country are allowed visitation privileges in Florida for 90 days consecutive without registering.
Private Waters - Boats used exclusively in private waters are exempt from registration.
Boat Titles - Boat titles are issued in Florida on all registered boats except for those which are Coast Guard documented or less than 16 feed depending on when registeres. Titles must be obtained at the time of initial registration. Florida has an electronic titling program in lieu of paper certificates on boats which are financed.
Residency Requirements - Florida must be the state of principal operation in order to register a boat in this state.
Outboard Motors - Titling and registration are not available for outboard boat motors in Florida.
Boat Trailers - Boat trailer titles and registrations are handled through the Department of Motor Vehicles. However, titles are not issued on those under 2,000 lbs.

Florida Boat Registration Applications

Boat registrations and titles in Florida are implemented by filing an Application for Registration form along with any additional items and fees. This must be presented in person to one of the DMV offices or a county clerk's office within 30 days of acquiring the boat. There are no provisions for online or mail-in applications.
Supplemental Forms - Supplemental boat title and registration application forms are available by visiting a county clerk's website.
Manufacturer's Statement - When a new boat is to be registered for the first time, you must present a Manufacturer's Statement of Origin (MSO) or Builder's certification. The statement or certification must be properly assigned into your name or accompanied by a bill of sale.
Previous Title - When a boat was previously state titled, you must present a properly assigned title certificate or one that is accompanied by a bill of sale.
Previous Registration - If a boat was registered in a non-title state, it will be necessary to present an assigned registration certificate or one that is accompanied by a bill of sale.
Loan Foreclosures - Court documents must be presented when registering a foreclosed boat in Florida.
Mechanic's Liens - Mechanic's and storage liens may be foreclosed upon if a boat is still in the possession of the lien holder and all provisions of Florida mechanic's lien laws have been fulfilled. Evidence of this must be provided upon registering the boat.
Abandoned Boats - Florida does not provide automatic rights of ownership to someone who discovers an abandoned boat. However, such party may report it to a law enforcement officer and request a claim of ownership. Upon an investigative process and approval, the agency will transfer it to the finder with a bill of sale and evidence of the investigation. The finder must subsequently apply to the DMV for a registration and title.
Title Bonding - The Florida DMV does not facilitate bonded boat registrations or titles. If sufficient evidence of ownership is unavailable, it will be necessary to obtain a court order.
Registration Fees - The most current list of boat registration fees for Florida may be found by visiting their boat registration website.

Florida Boat Registration Marking Requirements

Boat registration numbers in Florida begin with an "FL" designation which is followed by four numbers and then two letters. These must be displayed on all registered boats along with the current registration decals. State boat numbering configuration, size and placement requirements are actually dictated by federal regulations. More detailed information can be found in the Referrals.
Hull Numbers - All vessels built after 1972 are required to have a properly formatted 12 digit hull identification number. Although typically assigned and installed by the manufacturer, owners with older, homemade, or imported boats may apply to the Florida DMV for a hull number assignment. These are prefixed with the letters "FLZ" in place of the manufacturer's identification code (MIC). Boats must be inspected by a Florida law enforcement official whenever their is a missing or deficient hull identification number.

Florida Boat Lien and Security Interests

The available options for securing loans, liens and claims against boats registered in Florida are determined by various factors. These include the type of debt, obligation or liability and whether the boat is USCG documented.
Loan Security Interests - Boat loan security interests in Florida are listed on the certificate of title. Security interests in non-titled and non-documented boats must recorded as UCC filings with the Secretary of state. If a boat qualifies for USCG documentation, the lender must obtain a preferred mortgage in order to perfect or prioritize its security interest. These are recorded with the National Vessel Documentation Center.
Tax Liens -Tax liens are sometimes flagged in the state's boat registration database, recorded as Uniform Commercial Code filings, shown on state revenue records, or filed with a county clerk's office.
Mechanic's Liens - There are no means of recording mechanics or storage liens on Florida boat registration records. However these may be listed for informational purposes on a documented vessel's underlying abstract of title. Our boat lien claims registry also serves as a proprietary source of information for the boating industry.
Stolen Boats - Although stolen boats do not actually qualify as maritime liens, the true owner may have rights of recovery regardless of a subsequent owner's awareness. There are no methods for recording stolen boats in Florida other than by filing a report with a local law enforcement agency. These will in turn become listed in their stolen boat database. Our stolen boat registry also serves as a proprietary database for the boating industry.

Florida Boat Ownership and Lien Searches

Ownership and lien search lookup methods for boats registered in Florida may vary depending on the type of lien and method of ownership.
Registration Searches - Florida boat registration and title records are maintained in a database administered by the Department of Motor Vehicles. Access to such data is available for owners and certain qualified parties as prescribed by regulatory standards. Comprehensive guidelines about boat record searches in Florida can be found by visiting the Registration Search link in the References.
UCC Searches - Uniform Commercial Code filing searches in Florida are available online from the Secretary of State's office.
Tax Lien Searches - State and Federal tax liens on boats are not always recorded in a consistent manner and are therefore difficult to identify. They may show up as a red flag on state registration records, as UCC filings, in state revenue records, in a county clerks records, or on a vessel's abstract of title for documented boats. Given these disparities, it may be worth obtaining the services of a public record vendor that has access to a broad range of personal lien recordings.
USCG Documentation Searches - Ownership, mortgage and lien information of USCG documented vessels must be obtained by ordering an Abstract of Title from the National Vessel Documentation Center.
Non-Recorded Lens - Non-recorded maritime liens may also be a factor in conducting lien searches. These may include liabilities for items such as services, equipment, fuel, storage, parts, supplies, and damages which are related to the boat itself. This type of research must be determined through personal investigation, owner disclosures, and boat history lookups.
Owner Background Checks - Yacht brokers, documentation companies, and attorneys do not warrant or guarantee titles. There is moreover no such thing as boat title insurance in the marine industry. It is therefore incumbent on the owner to stand behind any such representations. This will of course be of no consolation if a guarantor is insolvent, non-cooperative, or can not be subsequently located. A thorough background check to ensure the owner's inclination and ability for making good on any hidden liens or title deficiencies is recommended.
Business Entity Search - You should run a business entity search when dealing with a boat registered to an entity such as a corporation or limited liability company. This will help confirm the legitimacy of such enterprise and identify those authorized to act on its behalf. An online search portal for doing so is maintained by the Secretary of State which can be accessed from the Referrals.
Florida Stolen Boat Search - The Florida Department of Law Enforcement maintains a listing of boats that have been stolen within the state.
Proprietary Searches - Our website offers a proprietary lien claims registry and a stolen boat registry which are free of charge.

Florida Boat Taxes and Insurance

Boats located in Florida are subject to various tax assessments. You should check with the Department of Revenue or respective county clerk's office for additional details and the most current information.
Sales and Use Tax - If sales tax has not been paid at the time of the Florida registration, it must be submitted along with the registration and titling fees. If it has been paid, a receipt for payment must be provided to the county tax collector. Florida dealerships will collect sales tax on boats sold at the time of purchase. An outboard motor and accessories may be exempt from sales tax if they are separately itemized and priced on the bill of sale.
Personal Property Tax - Florida, boats are subject to personal property tax although the assessments can vary depending on the county in which the boat is located. .
Insurance Requirements - Boat liability and collision insurance are not required in Florida. However, you should check with a local insurance agent as this may be subject to change without notice. In any event, insurance is highly recommended and you may also need this for moorage purposes or when making a loan on the boat.

Florida Boat Operator Requirements

Operator Requirements - Anyone born on or after January 1, 1988 is required to either have completed a National Association of State Boating Law Administrators approved boating education course or have passed an equivalent course or temporary certificate examination.
Accident Reporting  - Boating  accidents in Florida must be immediately reported to the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
Notifications - The DMV must be notified within 30 days whenever a registered boat has been transferred, stolen, lost, abandoned. This also applies to ownership and address changes.
Enforcement Agency - The Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is primarily responsible for boating law enforcement in Florida. However, all law enforcement agencies are authorized to enforce boating laws.

Conclusion

The information provided herein is gathered from various sources and may be subject to errors, omissions or changes without notice. You should always consult directly with the appropriate agency or a qualified attorney before taking any actions based on this overview.

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References and Referrals
Comments - Suggestions - Corrections

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