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What It Costs to Register a Boat

The fees you pay to register your boat are deposited in the Waterways Safety Fund, which is used to operate Ohio's boating program. All registration fees include a $3.00 writing fee which goes to the agent where you buy your registration. Ohio's boat registrations are renewed triennially, which means decals are valid for three years.

Hand powered

Canoes, kayaks, rowboats, inflatables, racing shells, rowing sculls, pedal boats

TOTAL
w/$3 WRITING FEE

TRADITIONAL REGISTRATION
(two decals provided; you supply OH numbers)
$12.00 $15.00
ALTERNATIVE REGISTRATION
(one decal provided; no OH numbers required; see details about where you can obtain one)
$17.00 $20.00
NOTE: If you attach a motor (permanently or not) to a vessel registered as "hand-powered," you must change the Type of Propulsion on your registration. See Add-a-Motor Proration Fees below. The proration is only valid for traditional registrations that are adding a motor, and the change must be made at a watercraft registration agent's office.

Add-A-Motor Proration Fees

Fee is prorated based on time remaining on current registration.

Boat Length Years Remaining on Current Registration
3 Years 2 Years 1 Year
Under 16' and all canoes $21.00 $15.00 $9.00
16' less than 26' $36.00 $25.00 $14.00
26' less than 40' $51.00 $35.00 $19.00
40' less than 65' $66.00 $45.00 $24.00
Over 65' $81.00 $55.00 $29.00

 

Powered By Sail or Motor 

TOTAL
w/$3 WRITING FEE
Canoes with Motor, other boats less than 16' long $30.00 $33.00
Boats 16' long but less than 26' long $45.00 $48.00
Boats 26' long but less than 40' long $60.00 $63.00
Boats 40' long but less than 65' long $75.00 $78.00
Boats 65' long and longer $90.00 $93.00

Transfer Fees

For Unexpired Registrations 

TOTAL w/$3 WRITING FEE
All Boats $2.00 $5.00

Ohio Watercraft Title Fees*

A title is required for all powered boats 14' and greater in length, outboard motors of 10 or more horsepower, and Personal Watercraft. Titles are handled by county Clerks of Court. Contact the Clerk of Court in your area for more information on obtaining title information.

Watercraft Title: $5.00 plus any applicable sales tax

*Title transfers can only occur at Title offices or Clerks of Court.