Boat Registration and Licenses in Montana

What to Register

• Motorboats (including motorized canoes and rubber rafts).

• Sailboats 12 feet long and longer.

What Not to Register

• Canoes.

• Kayaks.

• Rowboats.

• Non-motorized sailboats less than 12 feet in length.

Exemptions

• Lifeboats.

• Government-owned boats.

• Registered boats from another state or country that are not kept in Montana for more than 90 consecutive days.

Requirements and Procedures

1. Complete a Montana boat registration form.
2. Mail it along with the fees (title, registration, fee-in-lieu of tax) to your county treasurer's office.
3. Obtain two free validation decals from any Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks office, or by ordering online.

Fees

• Title: $10

• One-time registration fee for all motorboats, motorized pontoons and personal watercraft less than 16 feet in length, and sailboats at least 12 feet in length but less than 16 feet in length: $65.50.

• One-time registration fee for all motorboats, motorized pontoons and sailboats at least 16 feet in length but less than 19 feet in length, and personal watercraft 16 feet in length or longer: $125.50.

• One-time registration fee for all motorboats, motorized pontoons and sailboats at least 19 feet in length and longer: $295.50.

• $50 Fee-In-Lieu-of-Tax:

• Motorboats between 10-16 feet in length.

• Sailboats between 12-16 feet in length.

• Personal watercraft less than 16 feet in length.

• Motorized pontoon less than 16 feet.

• $110 Fee-In-Lieu-of-Tax:

• Motorboats between 16-19 feet in length.

• Sailboats between 16-19 feet in length.

• Personal watercraft 16 feet or longer.

• Motorized pontoon 16 feet or longer.

• $280 Fee-In-Lieu-of-Tax:

• Motorboats 19 feet or longer.

• Sailboats 19 feet or longer.

Renewals and Replacements

All boat registrations are permanent. You must, however, renew your boat's free validation decals every three years. These can be obtained, free of charge, from any Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks office or by ordering online.

Renew Online

Currently unavailable.

Renew by Mail

Mail renewal notification to your county treasurer's office.

Renew in Person

Visit your county treasurer's office with your renewal notification.

Replace Lost Registration

Take your boat's registration number to the county treasurer. Cost: $2

Boater License

Teenagers ages 13 and 14 need a valid Montana motorboat operator's safety certificate to operate a boat without adult supervision.

Boater Safety Courses

• Online: BoaterExam.com.

• Home study: Contact a Fish, Wildlife and Parks office or call
  (406) 444-2535.

• Class: U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary.

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