Overview
Titling is a separate step, handled at the county Clerk of Courts title office just like a car: any watercraft 14 feet or longer, or with an outboard motor of 10 horsepower or more, needs a $15 title. Canoes, kayaks, and other hand-powered craft under 14 feet with no motor (or a trolling motor under 10 hp) skip both registration and titling entirely. Sales tax on a boat purchase follows the same rule as vehicles - 5.75% plus your county's permissive tax, based on where the buyer lives, paid to the Clerk of Courts at titling regardless of where the boat is actually docked.
01 - Official fees
Ohio boat registration fees at a glance
| Fee | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Under 16 ft | $33.00 | 3-year registration |
| 16 ft to under 26 ft | $48.00 | 3-year registration |
| 26 ft to under 40 ft | $63.00 | 3-year registration |
| 40 ft to 65 ft | $78.00 | 3-year registration |
| Agent writing fee | $3.00 | when registering through a retail agent |
| Boat title (14 ft+ or motor 10 hp+) | $15.00 | |
| Boat sales tax | 6.5%–8% | buyer's county rate, paid to Clerk of Courts |
Figures verified June 2026 against official sources (listed below). Always confirm the final amount with your county deputy registrar (Ohio BMV) - counties can add small local fees.
02 - Step by step
How to register a boat in Ohio
- 1
Get a signed-over title if the boat is 14 feet or longer, or has a 10-hp-plus motor.
- 2
Take the title paperwork to your county Clerk of Courts title office and pay the $15 title fee plus sales tax.
- 3
Register the boat with ODNR's Division of Watercraft - online, by mail, at an ODNR office, or through a retail agent.
- 4
Pay the 3-year registration fee for your boat's length class (plus the $3 writing fee if using an agent).
- 5
Display your Ohio registration numbers and current validation decal on both sides of the bow.
03 - Same state, other costs
More Ohio vehicle costs
04 - Common questions
Ohio boat registration FAQ
How much does it cost to register a boat in Ohio?
For three years: $33 under 16 feet, $48 for 16–25 ft 11 in, $63 for 26–39 ft 11 in, $78 for 40–65 feet. Add $15 for the title (boats 14 ft+ or with a 10 hp+ motor) and sales tax on the purchase if it's new to you.
Do kayaks and canoes need to be registered in Ohio?
Not if they're hand-powered and under 14 feet - those are exempt from both registration and titling. Add a motor of 10 horsepower or more, or a hull 14 feet or longer, and both registration and a title become mandatory.
Why does my boat register with ODNR instead of the BMV?
Ohio splits watercraft entirely from motor vehicles administratively - the Division of Watercraft under the Department of Natural Resources handles boat registration, while the county Clerk of Courts (the same office that titles cars) handles boat titles. The BMV isn't involved with boats at all.
Is boat sales tax the same rate as car sales tax in Ohio?
Yes - 5.75% state plus your county's permissive tax, for the same 6.5%–8% combined range, based on the buyer's county of residence rather than where the boat is kept or sold.
What's the deadline to title a boat after buying it?
The same 30-day window vehicles get, with the same flat $5 late fee if you miss it - Ohio's title rules for watercraft mirror the ones for cars, just handled through the boat-title side of the same Clerk of Courts office.
Does my boat trailer register separately?
Yes - a boat trailer is titled and registered as a regular vehicle trailer through the BMV system, completely separate from the boat's ODNR registration and Clerk-of-Courts title.
05 - Receipts
Official sources
Every number on this page comes from these documents - check them yourself.