Overview
A boat title costs $15, same as a car's. And boats don't escape the state's other vehicle quirk: as personal property, most motorized boats owe the same annual county property tax cars do, assessed by the local assessor and billed by the sheriff - a bill that's separate from anything paid at DMV registration time.
01 - Official fees
West Virginia boat registration fees at a glance
| Fee | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Under 16 ft - full 3-year term | $30 | |
| 16 ft to under 26 ft - full 3-year term | $45 | |
| 26 ft to under 40 ft - full 3-year term | $60 | |
| 40 ft and over - full 3-year term | $75 | |
| Registering with 2 years left in the cycle | ≈ ⅔ of full fee | |
| Registering with 1 year left in the cycle | ≈ ⅓ of full fee | |
| Boat title fee | $15 |
Figures verified June 2026 against official sources (listed below). Always confirm the final amount with the WV DMV (your county sheriff's tax office handles the annual property tax) - counties can add small local fees.
02 - Step by step
How to register a boat in West Virginia
- 1
Get the signed-over title from the seller, or the dealer's paperwork for a new boat.
- 2
Complete the DMV's boat title and registration application (Form DMV-MB-6 for titling).
- 3
Submit it at a WV DMV regional office along with proof of ownership and, for a purchase, the 6% privilege tax due on the price or value.
- 4
Pay the length-based registration fee - full price if you're at the start of a 3-year cycle, prorated if you're joining mid-cycle.
- 5
Display your WV registration numbers and validation decal on the bow as required, and keep an eye out for the county's annual property tax bill.
03 - Same state, other costs
More West Virginia vehicle costs
04 - Common questions
West Virginia boat registration FAQ
Does West Virginia's DNR handle boat registration?
No - unlike many states, West Virginia routes boat titling and registration through the Division of Motor Vehicles, the same agency that handles cars. There's no separate wildlife-agency registration step.
How much does it cost to register a boat in West Virginia?
For the full 3-year term: $30 under 16 feet, $45 for 16 to under 26 feet, $60 for 26 to under 40 feet, $75 for 40 feet and over. Registering mid-cycle costs proportionally less for the years remaining.
Do I owe property tax on my boat like I do on my car?
Yes - most registered motorboats count as personal property and get assessed and taxed annually by the county, the same mechanism (and the same MV-1-style credit rules, where applicable) that applies to vehicles.
Is there a separate title fee for the outboard motor?
No - West Virginia titles the boat as a unit; it doesn't split out a separate title for an outboard motor the way a few other states do.
When does West Virginia boat registration expire?
March 31, on a 3-year cycle, regardless of when during the cycle you first registered - which is why a mid-cycle registration costs less than the full 3-year fee.
Do kayaks and canoes need to register in West Virginia?
Unpowered small craft like kayaks and canoes generally don't need DMV registration; add a motor of any kind and it typically needs to be titled and registered like any other motorboat.
05 - Receipts
Official sources
Every number on this page comes from these documents - check them yourself.