Overview
The quirk that catches buyers off guard: an outboard motor is titled AND registered completely separately from the hull in Missouri. Buy a used boat with an outboard and you're looking at a boat title ($7.50+$9), an outboard title ($5+$9), and an outboard registration ($2+$9) - three separate line items for what feels like one purchase. You also get more slack on the paperwork deadline than with a car: 60 days to title a boat or outboard, versus 30 for a vehicle.
01 - Official fees
Missouri boat registration fees at a glance
| Fee | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Under 16 ft | $25.00 | 3-year registration |
| 16 ft to under 26 ft | $55.00 | 3-year registration |
| 26 ft to under 40 ft | $100.00 | 3-year registration |
| 40 ft and over | $150.00 | 3-year registration |
| Boat/vessel title | $7.50 + $9.00 processing | |
| Outboard motor title | $5.00 + $9.00 processing | separate from the boat title |
| Outboard motor registration | $2.00 + $9.00 processing | separate from the boat registration |
| Sales tax | 4.225% + local | same buyer's-address rule as vehicles |
Figures verified June 2026 against official sources (listed below). Always confirm the final amount with your local license office (a contracted agent, not a DOR branch) for titling and registration; your county collector for personal property tax - counties can add small local fees.
02 - Step by step
How to title and register a boat in Missouri
- 1
Get the signed-over boat title and, if there's an outboard, its separate title too.
- 2
Confirm the hull identification number and, for the motor, its serial number match the paperwork.
- 3
Submit title and registration applications at a Missouri license office within 60 days of purchase.
- 4
Pay the length-based registration fee, both titles if applicable, and sales tax on the purchase.
- 5
Display your registration numbers and current decal on the bow as required.
03 - Same state, other costs
More Missouri vehicle costs
04 - Common questions
Missouri boat registration FAQ
How much does it cost to register a boat in Missouri?
For three years: $25 under 16 ft, $55 for 16 up to 26 ft, $100 for 26 up to 40 ft, $150 at 40 ft and over. First-time buyers also pay $16.50 for a boat title (fee plus processing) and, if there's an outboard motor, separate title and registration fees for that.
Why did I pay for three separate things on one used boat purchase?
Missouri treats the hull and an outboard motor as two distinct pieces of property. You'll see a boat title, a boat registration, an outboard title, and an outboard registration - up to four line items depending on what you're buying, versus one combined fee in some other states.
Do canoes and kayaks need to be registered in Missouri?
No - non-motorized canoes, kayaks, and similar small craft are exempt. Add a motor of any size, including an electric trolling motor, and registration becomes mandatory.
Is there sales tax on a boat bought from a private seller?
Yes, at the same combined state-plus-local rate as a vehicle, based on your home address and the reported purchase price, paid at the license office alongside the title and registration.
How long do I have to title a newly purchased boat?
60 days from the purchase date - twice as long as the 30-day window for a car - though the same style of late-title consequences can apply if you blow past it.
Does my boat trailer register separately?
Yes - a boat trailer is a vehicle in Missouri's system, titled and registered like any trailer through the normal vehicle process, completely apart from the boat's DOR watercraft paperwork.
05 - Receipts
Official sources
Every number on this page comes from these documents - check them yourself.