How to Get a title for a Boat in Florida

Got a boat? Need a title? Here is how to get one in Florida

If you are seeking a boat for sale in Florida, or if you have a boat which has not been registered, the first step is to ensure that you have a title for the vessel. Boats in Florida must be registered within 30 days of purchase unless they fall under the few exceptional vessels which need not register. But what do you do when you do not have a title? Here are a few ways in which you can get your title for a Boat in Florida.

What is the easiest method to get a title?

Titles are issued by the Florida Motor Vehicle Tags and Title office. Those seeking to have a title must bring in the proper documentation and filing fees when seeking a title. Documentation is dependent upon whether the vessel is new, used, in-state, or out of state. New vessels require a proof of ownership, the manufacturer’s name, year, hull type, propulsion, use of the vessel and the hull ID number. Used vessels are titled through a transfer of the title. If in-state, then a simple form and proof of purchase is all that is needed. Out of state titles require that the boat have the bill of sale, proof of current registration as well as the information pertaining to the boat’s details.

What type of title should I apply for?

There are 5 different classes of title registration based upon the length of the boat. Boats which are less than 12’ (typically your skiffs and bass boats) require a Class A-1, 12’ to 16’ Class A-2. Boats which are 16-26 feet (such as many dual consoles) are Class 1. Class 2 is 26-40 feet encompassing most of the vessels for the Florida area. Vessels which are larger than 40 feet but under 65 are a Class 3, Class 4 is 65-110, and Class 5 is 110’+.  There is a dealer registration.

What are the fees for a titling a boat in Florida?

Boat titling fees vary depending upon the Class and the use of the boat. For example a Class 2 boat has a fee of around $79. However, you can apply for the reduced fee which is around $57 dollars. This does not include the optional county fee which is around $30 or take into account the service fee or the FRIS fee. Neither does it consider the commercial fee of $50 for any non-resident/alien which is applied to any vessel used for such purposes. It is best to check the FLHSMV website regularly for filing fees and variations.

What should I do if a boat is out of state?

Boats which are out of state still require a title for Florida registration. It is recommended that you ensure that the boat have a clean title prior to purchase, as tracking down the manufacturer and such information afterwards could be timely and costly. In the event that a title cannot be found for an out of state boat, the only options are to either contact the manufacturer of the boat and seek the original bill of sale and title and then go through the sale history of the boat, obtaining documentation of the sales and legal ownership/transference of the vessel, or to check with the DMV of that state to see if the VIN and title information is on file. In either option, it is quite probable that you will need to contact the buyer and obtain documentation needed to fill out the appropriate forms. Again, if possible have the title present prior to purchasing out of state vessels.

I found an abandoned boat, do I need a title?

If you find an abandon boat, by state law Section 705.103 of Florida Statues, you must notify the police to do an investigation. Depending upon your location there will be a fee for this process. Once the investigation is concluded, if there is no ownership of the vessel, the police have the option to transfer a bill of sale and evidence of the investigation. If there is not a title in this regard, the proof of the investigation as well as the bill of sale should be sufficient to file for a title with the DHSMV.

Do all online boats for sale have a transferable title for Florida?

Not all boat sales sites are professional in their listings and therefore not all boats you find online will have a clean title. It is critical that when you list or purchase a boat for sale, that you do so through a reputable online site. Vessel Vendor is such a site. With a platform designed to minimize the risk for title loss or registry complications as well as an abundance of resources available for both buyers and sellers, you can purchase or sell your boat for use in Florida with confidence.

Need more information about how to title a boat in Florida? Please contact your local DMV for details. If you are interested in listing your boat with Vessel Vendor, or to find out more about the services offered on our site, please fill out the appropriate form and we will get back with you shortly.