Boat Registration and Licenses in California

Online Registration Renewals

CA Boats Requiring Registration

• Sail-powered vessels* longer than eight feet.

• Powerboats.

• Commercial vessels that weigh at least five tons, or are at least 30 feet long, must be registered with the U.S. Coast Guard.

*The state defines what constitutes a vessel.

What Not to Register

• Any vessel propelled by oars or paddles alone.

• Non-motorized sailboats that are eight feet or less in length.

• Surfboards or sailboards.

• A ship's lifeboat (does not include dinghies).

• Vessels currently registered in another state (if used primarily outside California).

• Vessels brought into California for racing.

California Boat Registration Exemptions

• Vessels documented by the U.S. Coast Guard

CA Boat Registration Requirements and Procedures

If you bring a vessel into California and plan on primarily using it here, you must register it first. Do so within 120 days of your arrival. Here's how:

In Person

Visit any California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) local office with:

1. A completed the boat application.
2. Proof of ownership. This could be an out-of-state title properly signed over to you, your bill of sale, the vessel's Certificate of Origin, or a bond for the boat if proof of ownership cannot be provided and the boat's value is $2,000 or more.
3. Payment for boat registration fee (see fees below). CA DMV offices accept cash, checks, money orders and debit cards.

Display your vessel registration number (CF number) on both sides of the front half of your boat in, at least, 3" block letters that contrast with the color of your boat for easy visibility.

By Mail

Send the required items listed above to:

• Department of Motor Vehicles

• P.O. Box 942869

• Sacramento, CA 94269-0001

California Boat Registration Fees

• Resident original application (submitted in an even-numbered year): $29

• Resident original application (submitted in an odd-numbered year): $49

• Non-resident application (fees due in an even-numbered year): $57

• Non-resident application (fees due in an odd-numbered year): $77

A use tax based on the purchase price may also be assessed. The DMV provides a complete list of boating-related fees.

CA Boat Registration Renewals and Replacements

Renew your registration every odd-numbered year before December 31. To do so, return the bottom part of your renewal notice along with payment (check, cashier's check or money order; do not send cash) for the $20 fee to the address listed on the envelope.

Renewal notices are mailed approximately 60 days prior to the expiration date.

Replace Lost Boat Registration

To replace your missing or damaged registration, visit your local DMV office with:

• A completed replacement form.

• Payment (cash, check, money order or debit card) for the $15 duplicate boat registration fee.

Before visiting be sure to make an appointment.

Or, mail the application along with a check to:

• Department of Motor Vehicles

• Registration Operations

• P.O. Box 942869

• Sacramento, California 94269-0001

CA Boater License

California doesn't require you to have a boater license in order to operate a boat.

However, no boater under the age of 16 may operate a vessel with a motor of more than 15 horsepower (sailboats less than 30 feet and travel in between moored boats are exempted).

Kids between the ages of 12 and 15 may operate the above described boats only if supervised on board by an adult 18 or older.

Boater Safety Course

While you don't have to take a boating safety course, doing so may make you a safer and better boater. It may also save you money on your marine insurance. Check sites such as BoaterExam.com for more information.

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