Overview
DNREC also offers a 3-year registration at exactly 3× the annual rate, which saves a trip if you're not planning to sell. One quirk worth knowing: Delaware doesn't issue its own boat titles - if your boat already has an out-of-state title, DNREC simply keeps it on file when you register, rather than swapping it for a Delaware one. Duplicate cards, transfers, and tidal-ramp access certificates carry their own small fees, itemized below.
01 - Official fees
Delaware boat registration fees at a glance
| Fee | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Class A - under 16 ft | $20/yr | or $60 for 3 years |
| Class I - 16 ft to under 26 ft | $40/yr | or $120 for 3 years |
| Class II - 26 ft to under 40 ft | $60/yr | or $180 for 3 years |
| Class III - 40 ft to under 65 ft | $100/yr | or $300 for 3 years |
| Class IV - 65 ft and over (undocumented) | $120/yr | or $360 for 3 years |
| Duplicate registration card | $2.30 | |
| Transfer registration (existing Delaware card) | $3.45 | |
| Tidal access ramp certificate | $35.00 |
Figures verified June 2026 against official sources (listed below). Always confirm the final amount with the Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) - counties can add small local fees.
02 - Step by step
How to register a boat in Delaware
- 1
Gather the boat's title (if it has one from another state) or manufacturer's certificate of origin, plus a notarized bill of sale.
- 2
Complete DNREC's boat registration application, including a picture or pencil rubbing of the hull ID number.
- 3
Submit it by mail, online for renewals, or in person at a DNREC boat registration agent.
- 4
Pay the length-based fee - choose the 1-year or 3-year term.
- 5
Display your Delaware registration numbers and validation decal on both sides of the bow.
03 - Same state, other costs
More Delaware vehicle costs
04 - Common questions
Delaware boat registration FAQ
How much does it cost to register a boat in Delaware?
$20 a year under 16 feet, $40 for 16–under 26 feet, $60 for 26–under 40 feet, $100 for 40–under 65 feet, and $120 for 65 feet and over (undocumented vessels). A 3-year registration costs exactly three times the annual rate.
Do I register a boat with the DMV or somewhere else?
DNREC's Division of Fish & Wildlife, not the DMV - a completely separate agency and application process from car titling. There's no document fee or sales tax on the transaction either way, since Delaware doesn't tax vehicle or boat sales.
Does an electric-motor boat need to register?
Yes - Delaware requires registration for all motorboats principally used in the state, including electric-motor boats, if Delaware is where the boat is mainly kept and used.
Does Delaware issue its own boat title?
No. If your boat already carries an out-of-state title, DNREC keeps that original title on file when you register - it doesn't reissue a Delaware title in its place. New boats use the manufacturer's certificate of origin instead.
What's the tidal access ramp certificate for?
It's a separate $35 permit some Delaware boat ramps require for access, distinct from the vessel's own registration - check with the specific ramp or state park before you launch.
Is a boat trailer registered with DNREC too?
No - a boat trailer is a vehicle and registers with the DMV like any other trailer, by weight, completely separate from the boat's DNREC paperwork.
05 - Receipts
Official sources
Every number on this page comes from these documents - check them yourself.