Overview
Add a separate $20 (resident) or $25 (nonresident) Aquatic Invasive Species fee - paid to the Division of Wildlife Resources, not the DMV, with its own decal - and a $6 title fee on a new purchase, and you have the full annual cost. Vessels 31 feet and longer skip the age-based table entirely and instead pay 1.5% of fair market value every year, the same percentage-based approach used for boats big enough to rival small yachts.
01 - Official fees
Utah boat registration fees at a glance
| Fee | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Base registration (motorboat/sailboat) | $30.00/yr | |
| Uniform fee - under 15 ft, canoes, jon boats, utility boats | $10.00 | flat, any age |
| Uniform fee - 15–19 ft, 0–2 yrs / 12+ yrs | $150 / $25 | |
| Uniform fee - 19–23 ft, 0–2 yrs / 12+ yrs | $275 / $50 | |
| Uniform fee - 23–27 ft, 0–2 yrs / 12+ yrs | $400 / $100 | |
| Uniform fee - 27–31 ft, 0–2 yrs / 12+ yrs | $700 / $120 | |
| Vessels 31 ft and longer | 1.5% of fair market value | annually, in lieu of the age table |
| Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) fee | $20 resident / $25 nonresident | paid to DWR, separate decal |
| Title fee (new purchase) | $6.00 |
Figures verified June 2026 against official sources (listed below). Always confirm the final amount with the Utah Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) - counties can add small local fees.
02 - Step by step
How to register a boat in Utah
- 1
Get the signed-over title (boats 1985 or newer generally require one) and a bill of sale.
- 2
Pay the Aquatic Invasive Species fee online through the Division of Wildlife Resources and complete the required boater education if you haven't already.
- 3
Bring the title, bill of sale, and ID to any Utah DMV office - the same office that handles vehicle titles.
- 4
Pay the $30 base registration, the length-and-age uniform fee, the $6 title fee, and sales tax on the purchase.
- 5
Display your registration decal and the separate AIS decal on the hull as required.
03 - Same state, other costs
More Utah vehicle costs
04 - Common questions
Utah boat registration FAQ
Do I register a boat at the DMV or a separate agency in Utah?
The DMV - the same office and much of the same system used for car titles and registration. The one separate piece is the Aquatic Invasive Species fee, which is paid online to the Division of Wildlife Resources and gets its own decal.
How much does it cost to register a typical fishing boat in Utah?
For a 3-year-old, 18-foot boat: $30 base registration + $110 uniform fee (15–19 ft bracket, 3–5 years old) + $20 AIS fee = $160 a year. A brand-new boat in the same length class would owe $150 instead of $110 for the uniform fee.
Why do canoes and jon boats pay a flat fee regardless of length?
Utah's uniform fee schedule specifically carves out canoes, jon boats, and utility boats - along with anything under 15 feet - into a flat $10 category regardless of age or exact length, rather than running them through the length-tiered table that applies to larger powerboats.
What happens once a boat passes 31 feet?
It leaves the age-based uniform fee system entirely and instead pays 1.5% of its fair market value every year - the same percentage-based approach Utah uses for heavy trucks and large commercial trailers, rather than a flat dollar bracket.
Is the Aquatic Invasive Species fee optional?
No - it's required annually for most motorized and sailing vessels operated on Utah waters, at $20 for residents and $25 for nonresidents, specifically to fund the inspection stations that check for invasive mussels. It's billed and paid separately from your DMV registration.
Does my boat trailer register separately?
Yes - a boat trailer is a vehicle in its own right and registers through the same DMV under the standard trailer fee schedule, completely separate from the boat's own registration and uniform fee.
05 - Receipts
Official sources
Every number on this page comes from these documents - check them yourself.