Overview
Titling works differently from registration. Any boat over 24 feet must be titled - a flat $20 - unless it's already documented with the U.S. Coast Guard, in which case it's exempt from Alaska's title requirement regardless of length. Boats 24 feet and under can title optionally for the same $20. Ordinary kayaks and canoes with no motor don't need to register at all, unless they're being used commercially for guided sport fishing.
01 - Official fees
Alaska boat registration fees at a glance
| Fee | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Powered boat | $24 | 3-year registration, any size |
| Non-powered boat requiring registration | $10 | has auxiliary power, or used by a sport-fishing guide |
| Barge | $75 | |
| Boat title (new or duplicate) | $20 | mandatory over 24 ft unless USCG-documented |
| Lien recording on a boat title | No charge | |
| Replacement decal | $5 |
Figures verified June 2026 against official sources (listed below). Always confirm the final amount with the Alaska Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) - counties can add small local fees.
02 - Step by step
How to register a boat in Alaska
- 1
Confirm your boat needs registration - motorized boats and guide-used non-powered boats do; plain kayaks and canoes don't.
- 2
If it's over 24 feet and not USCG-documented, apply for a title first ($20).
- 3
Complete the Boat Title and Registration Application (Form B-1).
- 4
Submit it with proof of ownership to the Alaska DMV, by mail or in person.
- 5
Pay the $24 (powered), $10 (qualifying non-powered), or $75 (barge) fee - good for 3 years - and display your assigned AK numbers.
03 - Same state, other costs
More Alaska vehicle costs
04 - Common questions
Alaska boat registration FAQ
How much does it cost to register a boat in Alaska?
$24 for any powered boat, covering a 3-year term regardless of length. A non-powered boat that still needs registration (one with auxiliary power, or used commercially by a sport-fishing guide) is $10 for the same 3 years. Barges are $75.
Do I need to register my kayak or canoe in Alaska?
Not if it's unpowered and used recreationally - Alaska exempts plain kayaks, canoes, and similar non-motorized boats from registration. Add a trolling motor, or use the same boat commercially to guide sport-fishing trips, and registration becomes mandatory.
When is a boat title required versus optional?
Mandatory for any boat over 24 feet, unless it's documented with the U.S. Coast Guard, in which case Alaska's title requirement doesn't apply regardless of length. For boats 24 feet and under, titling is optional but available for the same $20 fee.
Are outboard motors titled separately from the boat in Alaska?
No - unlike some states, Alaska doesn't title or register outboard motors on their own; the motor's serial number isn't tracked separately from the boat's title or registration record.
Do federally documented vessels need anything from the Alaska DMV?
USCG-documented vessels skip Alaska's title requirement and don't carry AK bow numbers, but they generally still need to be registered with the DMV if they're principally used on Alaska waters - documentation replaces titling, not registration.
What if my out-of-state registered boat is only in Alaska temporarily?
A boat validly registered elsewhere is exempt from Alaska registration as long as it's not operated in the state for more than 90 consecutive days. Past that, it needs an Alaska registration like any resident boat.
05 - Receipts
Official sources
Every number on this page comes from these documents - check them yourself.