Official fees
Mississippi boat registration fee chart
Under 16 ft
≈$11.00
3-year registration
16 ft to under 26 ft
≈$26.00
3-year registration
26 ft and over
≈$45.00–$48.00
3-year registration; 26–39 ft and 40 ft+ share this rate
Boat title (optional)
$12.70
Boat sales tax
7%
paid via dealer invoice, or at the county tax collector for private/out-of-state purchases
Boat trailer registration
Registered separately via county
titled only if 5,000+ lbs GVW
Figures verified July 2026 against official sources (listed below). Always confirm the final amount with your county tax collector's office (Mississippi Department of Revenue) - counties can add small local fees.
Step by step
How to register a boat in Mississippi
- 1
If bought from a dealer, get the sales invoice showing Mississippi sales tax was collected. If bought privately or out of state, pay the 7% tax at your county tax collector first.
- 2
Complete the MDWFP Motor Boat Registration Application.
- 3
Submit the application and proof of sales tax payment to MDWFP, either online, by mail, or through a participating agent.
- 4
Decide whether you want an optional boat title ($12.70) - required for financing or many out-of-state resales, but not for basic registration.
- 5
Display your MS registration numbers and current decal on the bow; your 3-year registration renews through MDWFP, not the county.
- Register at
- MDWFP, not the DMV
- Term
- 3 years
- Registration
- ≈$11–$48
- Title (optional)
- $12.70
- Sales tax
- 7%
Overview
Titling a boat in Mississippi is optional - you must register it, but a title ($12.70) is only required if you want one, say for financing or an out-of-state sale. Sales tax on a new or used boat is 7%, the same rate charged on motorcycles and ATVs, paid through the dealer's invoice or at your county tax collector if you bought privately or out of state. A boat trailer registers separately, through the county as an ordinary private trailer, not through MDWFP.
Same state, other costs
More Mississippi vehicle costs
Common questions
Mississippi boat registration FAQ
- How much does it cost to register a boat in Mississippi?
- For a 3-year term: roughly $11 for boats under 16 feet, $26 for 16 up to 26 feet, and $45–$48 for anything 26 feet or longer. First-time buyers also owe 7% sales tax on the purchase price and, optionally, $12.70 for a title.
- Do I have to title my boat in Mississippi?
- No - boats must be registered with MDWFP, but titling is voluntary. Most owners skip it unless they need one to finance the boat or to satisfy a buyer or lender in another state.
- Why is my boat taxed at 7% when my car was only 5%?
- Mississippi's reduced 5% automotive rate applies only to cars, vans, buses, and light trucks. Boats fall under the same 7% rate as motorcycles, mopeds, ATVs, and trailers.
- Does my kayak or canoe need to be registered?
- No - unpowered kayaks, canoes, and paddleboards don't need MDWFP registration. Add a motor of any kind, including a trolling motor, and registration becomes mandatory.
- Where do I register the trailer I use to haul my boat?
- Through your county tax collector, the same office that handles cars - a boat trailer is treated as an ordinary private trailer, completely separate from the boat's MDWFP paperwork. It only needs a title if it's 5,000 lbs GVW or more.
- I bought a used boat privately - do I still owe sales tax?
- Yes, 7% on the purchase price, paid at your county tax collector's office when you register it, since there's no dealer invoice to show the tax was already collected.
Receipts
Official sources
Every number on this page comes from these documents - check them yourself.
