Boat Registration and Licenses in Michigan
Boat Registration and Licenses in Michigan
The Michigan Secretary of State (SOS) handles all boat titling and registration. Keep reading to learn more about titling and registering your vessel as well as the qualifications needed to operate boats in The Great Lake State.
MI Vessels to Title & Register
The Michigan SOS requires registration for all vessels used on public waters. The only exemptions are:
- Vessels 16 ft. long or less, powered by oars or paddles AND not used for commercial or rental purposes.
- Rafts, surfboards, sailboards, and swim floats (all sizes).
- Canoes and kayaks that don't have a motor AND aren't used for rental or commercial purposes.
- Watercraft currently registered in another state being used in Michigan on a temporary basis.
Additionally, the following types of watercraft must be titled with the MI SOS:
- Vessels measuring 20 ft. or more in length.
- Boats with permanent motors.
Contact the SOS if you're unsure about whether your boat requires a title and/or registration.
Boat Registration in Michigan
To title and/or register your boat with the MI Secretary of State, visit your local SOS office with the following:
- A completed Application for Michigan Watercraft Title (Form WR-11L).
- If you purchased a previously-owned vessel, submit:
- The boat's most current registration.
- If you don't have the registration, a completed Bill of Sale (Form TR-207) will suffice.
- The vessel's title, transferred in your name (if the boat was previously titled).
- The boat's most current registration.
- Proof of Michigan use tax paid, like a sales receipt.
- If you transferred ownership of the boat from one family member to another, you're exempt from the use tax requirement.
- The appropriate title and registration fees#Michigan-Boat-Title-Registration-Fees.
Your boat registration will be valid for 3 years and expires on March 31 of the final registration year. Once you obtain the registration, be sure you display your Certificate of Number according to the state's guidelines.
Michigan Boat Title & Registration Fees
The fees associated with titling and registering your boat with the Michigan Secretary of State are as follows:
- Origina/renewal registration for:
- Non-motorized watercraft:
- NOT canoes or kayaks: $9.
- Canoes and kayaks: $5.
- Motorized canoes: $14
- Motorized motorboats under 12 ft. in length: $14.
- Motorized vessels measuring at least:
- 12 ft but under 16 ft: $17.
- 16 ft but under 21 ft: $42.
- 21 ft but under 28 ft: $115.
- 28 ft but under 35 ft: $168.
- 35 ft but under 42 ft: $244.
- 42 ft but under 50 ft: $280.
- 50 ft and longer: $448.
- Pontoons: $23.
- Non-motorized watercraft:
- Boat title: $15.
- Instant title: $20. (only available for certain transactions and at specific locations.)
- Transfer of ownership fee (in addition to applicable title/registration fees): Varies by watercraft.
- Duplicate:
- Registration decals: $5.
- Registration certificate: $5.
- Boat title: $15.
- Use tax: 6% of the vessel's purchase price.
MI Boat Registration Renewals & Replacements
Your boat registration is valid for 3 years, and expires on March 31 of the last year. The Michigan SOS will mail you a renewal notice before your registration expires.
To renew your registration with the MI Secretary of State, submit information about your boat AND the applicable renewal fees:
- Online using the ExpressSOS watercraft portal.
- In person at your local SOS office (bring your renewal notice with you).
- By mail, using the pre-addressed envelope included with your renewal notice.
Replacement Title & Registration
If your watercraft's title or registration is damaged or lost, you can request a replacement by providing information about your vessel AND the necessary duplicate title/registration fees:
- Online through ExpressSOS.
- In person at any SOS office branch.
Boater License
The MI Secretary of State imposes age restrictions around operation of certain watercraft.
If you are:
- Younger than 12 years old, you:
- Can operate motorboats with 6 HP or less without supervision.
- Can operate motorized vessels with more than 6 up to 35 HP ONLY IF you:
- Hold a boating safety certificate.
AND - Are accompanied by a supervisor who's at least 16 years old.
- Hold a boating safety certificate.
- Born on or after July 1, 1996: You must have a boating safety certificate to operate boats on Michigan state waters.
- Younger than 14 years old: You CANNOT operate a personal watercraft.
- 14 OR 15 years old—You can operate a personal watercraft ONLY IF you:
- Have a boating safety certificate.
AND - Are supervised by someone on board who's at least 21 years old OR by your parent or legal guardian who's no more than 100 ft away.
- Have a boating safety certificate.
- At least 16 years old AND born after December 31, 1978: You can operate a personal watercraft as long as you have a boating safety certificate.
You can earn your boating safety certificate by completing a boater education course and passing a proficiency exam:
- Online with an approved education provider, listed on the MI Department of Natural Resources' (DNR) boating safety page.
- In the classroom with a:
- Marine course provided by the DNR at various locations.
- Course offered by the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary.
- Class taught by the America's Boating Club.
In addition to making you a better boater, completing a boating safety course may also score you discounts on boat insurance. Even if you're not required to take a course, enrolling in one will benefit your boating skills AND wallet.