Boat Title Transfer in Florida
Florida requires a Certificate of Title for All motorized vessels. Boat titles in Florida are processed through the Florida HSMV (Tax Collector offices) — not the standard DMV in most cases.
Hull Identification Number (HIN)
HIN required on all Florida applications. Florida HSMV can assign an assigned number for vessels without a permanent HIN.
Required Documents in Florida
Florida boat titles are processed at the same Tax Collector offices as vehicle titles. No separate agency required.
US Coast Guard Documentation in Florida
Federally documented vessels are still required to display Florida registration numbers on the vessel unless the vessel is used exclusively for interstate or international travel. A Florida certificate of registration is required regardless of federal documentation.
Florida has the highest number of registered vessels of any state (roughly 900,000+). The Tax Collector offices are experienced with boat titles; waterfront counties (Monroe, Collier, Lee, Pinellas) process high volumes and typically have short wait times.
Boat Title FAQ — Florida
Yes — Florida requires a boat title (Certificate of Title) for All motorized vessels. Florida requires a Certificate of Title for all motorized vessels used on Florida waters, regardless of size or value.
In Florida, boat title transfers are handled by the Florida HSMV (Tax Collector offices). You need HSMV 82040 (Application for Certificate of Title), Signed previous title or Manufacturer's Statement of Origin (MSO), Bill of sale with purchase price and HIN. Processing takes 7–21 Business Days. Florida boat titles are processed at the same Tax Collector offices as vehicle titles. No separate agency required.
Yes — Federally documented vessels are still required to display Florida registration numbers on the vessel unless the vessel is used exclusively for interstate or international travel. A Florida certificate of registration is required regardless of federal documentation.
The boat title fee in Florida is $5.25 (title) + registration fee. Florida boat title fee is $5.25 — among the lowest nationally. Annual registration fees are based on length: $5.50 to $125.25.
Florida HSMV (Tax Collector offices)
https://www.flhsmv.gov/motor-vehicles-tags-titles/vessels/