Overview
There's no separate title fee either - Arizona registers boats without issuing a title document at all, so the registration itself is your proof of ownership. Sales tax still applies at the state's 5.6% TPT rate on a purchase, the same private-party exemption logic as cars, but the length-based registration fee is unrelated to what you paid for the boat.
The one fee that surprises out-of-state boaters: a Nonresident Boating Safety Infrastructure Fee stacked on top of the standard registration, ranging from $80 on the smallest boats to $224+ on larger ones, unless your home state already has valid registration and you're visiting for 90 days or less.
01 - Official fees
Arizona boat registration fees at a glance
| Fee | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 0–12 ft | $20.00/yr | |
| 12 ft 1 in – 16 ft | $22.00/yr | |
| 16 ft 1 in – 20 ft | $30.00/yr | |
| 20 ft 1 in – 26 ft | $35.00/yr | |
| 26 ft 1 in – 39 ft | $39.00/yr | |
| 39 ft 1 in – 64 ft | $44.00/yr | |
| 64 ft 1 in and over | $66.00/yr | |
| Nonresident Boating Safety Infrastructure Fee, ≤12 ft | $80.00 | |
| Nonresident fee, 12–16 ft | $88.00 | |
| Nonresident fee, 16–20 ft | $192.00 | |
| Nonresident fee, 20–26 ft | $224.00 | |
| Boat sales tax | 5.6% | state TPT; private-party sales owe none |
Figures verified June 2026 against official sources (listed below). Always confirm the final amount with Arizona MVD (ADOT) - counties can add small local fees.
02 - Step by step
How to register a boat in Arizona
- 1
Get a signed bill of sale (and any manufacturer's statement of origin if it's new) - Arizona doesn't issue boat titles, so there's no title document to sign over.
- 2
Register through the AZGFD watercraft portal online, by mail, or at an AZGFD office.
- 3
Pay the registration fee for your boat's length class, plus the nonresident add-on if you're not an Arizona resident.
- 4
Pay 5.6% state sales tax on the purchase if you bought from a dealer - private-party purchases owe none.
- 5
Display your Arizona registration numbers and current decal on the bow as required.
03 - Same state, other costs
More Arizona vehicle costs
04 - Common questions
Arizona boat registration FAQ
How much does it cost to register a boat in Arizona?
$20 to $66 a year depending on length, paid to the Arizona Game & Fish Department rather than MVD. A typical 18-foot ski boat runs $30 a year in registration alone.
Do I need a boat title in Arizona?
No - Arizona is a registration-only state for watercraft. There's no separate title document or title fee; your AZGFD registration card is the proof of ownership record.
Why do out-of-state visitors pay so much more?
The Nonresident Boating Safety Infrastructure Fee - $80 to $224+ depending on length - funds infrastructure nonresidents use without paying Arizona's resident registration base over time. If your home state has already registered the boat, you can operate in Arizona up to 90 days a year without this fee.
Is there sales tax on a used boat bought from a private seller?
No - the same casual-sale exemption that applies to private car sales applies to private boat sales in Arizona. Buy from a dealer and the standard 5.6% state TPT applies to the purchase price.
Do kayaks, canoes, or paddleboards need to register?
Non-motorized kayaks, canoes, and paddleboards don't need AZGFD registration. Add any motor, even a small trolling motor, and registration becomes mandatory regardless of the craft's size.
Does my boat trailer register with AZGFD too?
No - a trailer is a vehicle and registers with MVD like any other trailer, completely separate from the boat's AZGFD paperwork.
05 - Receipts
Official sources
Every number on this page comes from these documents - check them yourself.