Boat Registration

Michigan, with two peninsulas bordered by four Great Lakes, boasts the longest coastline in the nation and with it the second highest number of registered watercraft―only Florida has more. Keeping track of those boats―and producing income from that industry for the state―is a major component of Michigan's Secretary of State office.

Who Needs to Register

You do, if you plan to operate your boat on any Michigan waterway―even the privately owned ones. Exempt from registration are:

• Nonmotorized boats 16 feet long or less.

• Canoes and kayaks not used for rental, rafts, surfboards, sailboards, and swim floats.

• Watercraft registered in other states and used temporarily in Michigan.

All watercraft registrations last for three years and expire on March 31. Generally, registration fees are based on length.

In Michigan you can register your watercraft online, by telephone, or at a Secretary of State branch office. Titles cost $5. Registration fees vary:

• Nonmotorized sailboats: $9

• Canoes and kayaks used commercially: $5

• Motorized canoes (all sizes): $14

• Motorboats 12-16 feet: $17

• Motorboats 16 feet: $42

• Motorboats 21 feet: $115

• Motorboats 28 feet: $168

• Motorboats 35 feet: $244

• Motorboats 42 feet: $280

• Motorboats 50 feet: $448

• Pontoon boats: $23

• Commercial fishing vessels: $15

New Registrations

For a new registration, you'll need to visit a Secretary of State branch office. Bring your title or bill of sale, along with cash or a check (branch offices do not accept credit or debit cards).

Renewing Your Registration

If you already have your boat registered in Michigan, renewing is a snap. You'll need your renewal notice and a form of payment.

In Person or by Mail

You can renew at any branch office or by returning your notice and payment―check, money order, or credit card―in the mailer provided.

Online

You can renew your registration online between March 31 and Aug. 1 if:

• Your address is correct on your renewal notice.

• Your name and vehicle information are correct.

• Your renewal notice has a PIN.

• You have a valid Visa, MasterCard, or Discover credit card.

By Phone

You also can renew by touch-tone telephone 24 hours a day, seven days a week by calling (517) 334-9444. You can renew by phone between March 31 and Aug. 1 if:

• Your address is correct on your renewal notice.

• Your name and vehicle information are correct.

• Your renewal notice has a PIN.

• You have a valid Visa, MasterCard, or Discover credit card.

If any of your information needs to be changed or is incorrect, or if you do not have a PIN, you'll need to go to a branch office.

Buying and Selling

Changing ownership on a boat isn't as complex as buying or selling a car. Generally, if there's a title on the craft, just assign it as you would a car. Not titled? Just complete the back of your registration. No registration? Then create a bill of sale with the year, make, hull ID number, and registration number (if you have it). Write the name and address of the buyer and seller on it, and you're ready to head to a Secretary of State branch office.

If the boat is titled, you'll simply assign the title as you would a car title. Sign it, date it, put the sale price on it, and you're set.

A lost title can complicate the transaction, but this generally can be resolved by getting a duplicate from the Secretary of State. If you have no title, no registration, and no bill of sale, you will need to get a court order or surety bond to sell the watercraft.