Registration procedures
Register your new watercraft:
If your new boat (except kayaks or canoes) is longer than 16', your dealer will apply for title and registration (license) on your behalf, and is responsible for providing you with license materials.
When you register your boat for the first time, know its length, manufacturer, type of hull material (wood, metal, or plastic), type of propulsion, model, year, serial or hull identification number (HIN) and have a sales receipt that shows you have paid the sales tax.
Length is the straight-line distance from the foremost part of the boat (bow) to the rearmost part of the boat (stern). Bowsprits, outboard motor brackets, rudders and other attachments are not included in the measurement.
Boat registrations are good for 3 calendar years.
See also 2024 Minnesota Boating Guide
Titles
Watercraft title fees
Registrations
View Watercraft licenses - registration procedures & fees
Fees for boat registrations effective 12/01/2023
Type of watercraft | Registration fee | Aquatic invasive species surcharge | Issuing fee
If new or transfer only $8.50, if renewing and transferring $4.50+$8.50.
|
|
---|---|---|---|---|
Watercraft owned by non-profit organization
(Used for teaching water safety camp, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, YMCA, YWCA, etc.) |
$8 | $10.60 | + issuing fee* | |
Rental or lease watercraft up to and including 19 feet
(over 19 feet same as pleasure craft); |
$14 | $10.60 | + issuing fee* | |
Rental or lease personal watercraft
(Jet Skis, etc.) |
$85 | $10.60 | + issuing fee* | |
Canoes, kayaks, sailboats, sailboards, rowing shells (not rowboats) paddleboards and paddleboats (sailboats over 19 feet same as pleasure craft)
Non-motorized watercraft 10ft or less do not require registration |
$23 | $10.60 | + issuing fee* | |
Personal watercraft
(Jet Skis, etc.) |
$85 | $10.60 | + issuing fee* | |
Pleasure craft less than 17 feet | $36 | $10.60 | + issuing fee* | |
Pleasure craft 17 feet up to and including 19 feet | $59 | $10.60 | + issuing fee* | |
Pleasure craft over 19 feet but less than 26 feet | $113 | $10.60 | + issuing fee* | |
Pleasure craft 26 feet but less than 40 feet | $164 | $10.60 | + issuing fee* | |
Pleasure craft 40 feet in length and over | $209 | $10.60 | + issuing fee* | |
Dealer's license | $142 | $10.60 | + issuing fee* | |
Watercraft for commercial use | $164 | $10.60 | + issuing fee* | |
Transfer without renewal | $4.50 | $0.00 | + issuing fee* | |
Duplicate registration card | $4.50 | $0.00 | + issuing fee* | |
Duplicate decal only | $0.00 | $0.00 | + issuing fee* | |
Boats for hire | Contact the Department of Labor and Industry: Code Administration and Boiler Inspection Services |
Boat registrations are good for 3 calendar years.
Watercraft licenses - registration procedures and fees