Change Of Classification
Fees To Register Vessel
Commercial Fees
Hull Identification Numbers
Out-Of-State Reciprocity
Change Of Address Or Interest
Duplicate Certificates
In Case Of Accident
Initial Registration And Titling
Applications for vessel registration and title
certificates are to be filed by the vessel owner with the county
tax collector's office in the county where the vessel is
located or in the county where the vessel owner resides.
Unless a vessel is exempt from titling, it must be titled at
the same time it is registered. Both of these actions can be
accomplished for vessels being initially registered/titled by
completing Form HSMV 82040 (available from your local
tax collector).
Along with the completed form, a Manufacturer's Statement of
Origin, or its equivalent, must be submitted along with a
registration fee based on the fee
schedule. A $5.25 titling fee should also be provided with an
additional fee of $1 to record each existing lien. There is an
additional titling fee of $4 required for each initial
certificate of title issued for a vessel previously registered
outside of this state.
If the sales tax on the total purchase price of the vessel has
not been previously paid, the vessel owner must pay the tax along
with the fees listed above. If the sales tax has already been
paid, then the vessel owner should furnish the county tax
collector with a valid receipt indicating where the sales tax was
paid and that it was paid in an amount equal to or greater than
the applicable sales tax.
The registration certificate must be on board the vessel when
in operation. The purchaser of a new or used vessel has 30 days
to apply for registration and title. During this 30-day grace
period, the owner is required to have aboard his vessel proof of
date of purchase. Operation of an unregistered vessel after 30
days is a second-degree misdemeanor.
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Definitions
Canoe - A long, light, narrow vessel with
both ends sharp and sides curved. A canoe-like vessel with a
squared transom may not be excluded from the definition of a
canoe provided the width of its transom is less than 45 percent
of its beam or it has been so designated as a canoe by the United
States Coast Guard.
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Commercial Vessel - Any vessel primarily
engaged in the taking or landing of saltwater fish or saltwater
products, freshwater fish or freshwater products from within and
without the waters of this state for sale either to the consumer,
retail dealer or wholesale dealer; or any vessel engaged in any
activity wherein a fee is paid by the user, either directly or
indirectly, to the owner, operator or custodian of the vessel.
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Documented Vessel - A vessel that has or
is required to have a valid marine document as a vessel of the
United States pursuant to Title 46, Part 67 of the Code of
Federal Regulations.
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Floating Structure - A floating barge-like
entity with or without accommodations built thereon, which is not
primarily used as a means of transportation on water, but which
serves purposes or provides services typically associated with a
structure or other improvement to real property. The term
"floating structure" includes, but is not limited to,
entities used as residence, place of business, office, hotel or
motel, restaurant or lounge, clubhouse, meeting facility, storage
or parking facility, mining platform, dredge, dragline or similar
facility or entity represented as such. Floating structures are
expressly excluded from the definition of a vessel as provided in
ss. 327.02(36), Florida Statutes. Incidental movement upon water
shall not in and of itself preclude an entity from classification
as a floating structure. A floating structure is expressly
included as a type of tangible personal property. Questions as to
whether or not a particular entity is considered a floating
structure or a vessel should be directed to your local property
appraiser.
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Homemade Vessel - Any vessel built after
Oct. 31, 1972 for which a Federal Hull Identification Number is
not required to be assigned to it by the manufacturer pursuant to
federal law, or any vessel constructed or assembled prior to Nov.
1, 1972 by other than a licensed manufacturer for his own use or
the use of a specific person. A vessel assembled from a
manufactured hull is considered to be a homemade vessel, provided
such a vessel is not required to have a hull identification
number as required by the United States Coast Guard. In no event
shall a rebuilt or reconstructed vessel be considered to be a
"homemade" vessel.
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Manufactured Vessel - Any vessel built
after Oct. 31, 1972 for which a Federal Hull Identification
Number is required pursuant to federal law, or any vessel
constructed or assembled prior to Nov. 1, 1972 by a duly licensed
manufacturer.
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Vessel - Synonymous with boat as
referenced in s.1.(b), Art. VII of the Florida Constitution and
includes every description of watercraft, barge and airboat,
other than a seaplane on the water, used or capable of being used
as a means of transportation on water. The term "floating
structure" is expressly excluded from the definition of a
vessel.
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Exemptions From Registration
Vessels exempt from registration include:
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Exemptions From Titling
Vessels exempt from titling include:
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Transfer Of Titled Ownership
If the titled ownership of an undocumented vessel
is transferred from one individual to another, an application for
transfer of ownership must be filed with the county
tax collector within 30 days along with a service fee of
$6.25.
The purchaser or transferee shall be charged an additional $10
fee if the title transfer application is not properly filed
within this 30-day period. In making application for such
transfer, the new owner must surrender to the county tax
collector the last title document issued for the vessel, properly
executed. In addition, the new owner must pay $1 for each lien to
be recorded plus applicable sales tax on the total purchase price
or proof of sales tax payment.
For specific instructions regarding the transfer of ownership
based on probate, contractual default or prior federal
documentation, contact your local county
tax collector's office.
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Required Certificate Of Title
No person shall sell, assign or transfer a vessel
titled by the State of Florida without delivering to the
purchaser or transferee a valid certificate of title with an
assignment on it showing transfer of title to the purchaser or
transferee.
No person shall purchase or otherwise acquire a
vessel required to be titled by the state without obtaining a
certificate of title for it in his name. The purchaser or
transferee shall file with the county
tax collector of the county where the vessel is located
or of the county where the purchaser or transferee resides an
application for a title transfer within 30 days after a change in
vessel ownership.
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Homemade Vessel Title Applications
An initial application for the registration and
titling of a homemade vessel must be filed by the vessel owner
with the county tax collector's office in the county where the vessel is
located or in the county where the vessel owner resides.
In making application for an initial Florida title, the owner
of a homemade vessel less than 16 feet in length shall submit to
the county tax collector form HSMV 82040, along with a Statement
of Builder and a $5.25 titling fee.
Upon receipt of the application, the department may elect to
conduct a visual inspection of the vessel to insure that it meets
the legal definition of a "homemade vessel."
The owner of a homemade vessel 16 feet or more in length must
contact the nearest district office of the Fish
and Wildlife Conservation Commission to arrange for a physical
inspection of the vessel. At the time of inspection, the owner of
the homemade vessel shall be required to submit an executed
Statement of Builder or Builder's Certificate to the inspecting
officer.
Upon satisfactory completion of the inspection, the inspecting
officer provides the owner of the homemade vessel an executed
Certificate of Inspection, DEP Form 20-126-FMP which must be submitted to the county tax
collector along with HSMV 82040, the Statement of Builder or
Builder's Certificate and a $5.25 titling fee. (Note: In
addition, a registration fee based on the length of the vessel
and any applicable sales tax must be paid.)
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Numbering
The Florida registration number issued to a vessel is permanent and
remains with the vessel as long as it is operated or stored in this state,
even though its ownership may change.
The registration number issued to an undocumented vessel is to be painted
or permanently attached to both sides of the bow (forward half) of the
vessel and must be in block letters and numerals at least three inches
high. The registration number must read from left to right, must contrast
in color with the hull and be maintained in legible condition.
The prefix and suffix must be separated from the numerals by a space
equal to the width of the digits, i.e., FL 0001 AB.
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Decals
A decal signifying the year during which the registration
certificate is valid will be issued with each registration
certificate. The decal must be displayed on the port (left) side
of the vessel. It may be placed immediately before or after the
registration number. A decal issued to a federally documented
vessel may be affixed to a window or windshield on the port side.
Any decal for a previous year's registration must be removed from
the vessel.
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Reregistration Period
For vessels owned by individuals, the registration period begins the first
day of the birth month of the owner and ends the last day of the month immediately preceding
the owner's birth month in the succedding year. If the vessle is registered in the name
of more than one person, the birth month of the person whose name first appears on the
registration shall be used to determine the registration period. For a vessel subject to
this registration period. For a vessel subject to this registration period, the renewal
period is the 30 day period ending at midnight on the vessel owner's date of birth.
For vessels owned by companies, corporations, governmental entities, and registrations issued
to dealers and manufacturers, the registration period begins July 1 and ends June 30. The
renewal period is the 30 day period beginning June 1.
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Classification Of Vessels
Any vessel that is required to be registered and
is not operated for commercial purposes shall be
classified and registered as a pleasure craft. Vessels that meet
the definition of a commercial
vessel must be registered as commercial.
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Change Of Classification
If the classification of a vessel changes from
pleasure to commercial, or from commercial to pleasure, and the
vessel has a current registration, the owner must complete form
HSMV 87015 (available from county tax collector) with his
certificate of registration along with a fee of $2.25 to the county
tax collector.
If a non-exempted vessel owned by a non-resident
or alien changes from pleasure to commercial, then an additional
$50 commercial vessel fee is required.
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Fees To Register Vessel (Pleasure Or
Commercial)
Class A-1 -- All vessels less than 12 feet in
length, and motorized canoes $7.25
Class A-2 -- 12 feet or more and less than 16
feet in length $14.25
Class 1 -- 16 feet or more and less than 26 feet
in length $22.25
Class 2 -- 26 feet or more and less than 40 feet
in length $54.25
Class 3 -- 40 feet or more and less than 65 feet
in length $86.25
Class 4 -- 65 feet or more and less than 110 feet
in length $102.25
Class 5 -- 110 feet or more in length $126.25
Dealer Classification $20.25
(The above fees include a $2.25 service fee and $.50 FRVIS fee.)
NOTE: Some counties have elected to impose an
additional county registration fee; therefore, before remitting
money by mail, you should contact the tax
collector's office in which you will be registering your
vessel for the exact fee amount.
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Commercial Fees
An additional $50 commercial vessel license fee
is required of all non-residents or aliens. A Saltwater Products
License is required of all individuals who sell saltwater
products and/or use certain gear in Florida. The minimum cost of
a license is $50 for residents, $200 for non-residents and $300
for aliens.
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Hull Identification Numbers
No person shall operate on the waters of this
state a vessel, unless the vessel displays the assigned hull
identification number. A hull identification number is unique to
the vessel and allows its positive identification.
The hull identification number must be carved,
burned, stamped, embossed or otherwise permanently affixed to the
outboard side of the transom or, if there is no transom, to the
outermost starboard side at the end of the hull that bears the
rudder or other steering mechanism, above the waterline of the
vessel in such a way that alteration, removal or replacement
would be obvious and evident.
The characters of the hull identification number
must be of not less than 12 in number and no less than one-fourth
inch in height. Vessels for which the manufacturer has provided
no hull identification number and homemade vessels constructed or
assembled by the owner shall be assigned a hull identification
number by the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles.
Any questions regarding the hull identification
number on a vessel should be directed to the nearest Fish and Wildlife office or to the Bureau of Vessel Titles and Registrations, 2900 Apalachee Parkway, Rm. C214 MS 74, Tallahassee, FL 32399. Telephone (850) 488-1195.
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Out-Of-State Reciprocity
Florida recognizes valid registration
certificates and numbers issued to visiting vessel owners by
other states for a period of 90 days.
An owner who intends to use his vessel in Florida
longer than 90 days must register it with a county
tax collector. However, he may retain the out-of-state
registration number if he plans to return to his home state
within a reasonable period of time.
Out-of-state vessel owners who plan to remain permanently in
Florida must notify the county tax collector. He/she will receive
a Florida registration certificate number to replace those issued
by the state of former residence. The out-of-state registration
and certificate of title, if issued, must be surrendered to the
tax collector.
Out-of-state registration certificates and numbers for vessels owned by military personnel on active duty in Florida are valid in Florida until the expiration date, after which the vessels must be registered by the state of Florida.
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Change Of Address Or Interest
The destruction or abandonment of a registered vessel must be reported by the vessel owner to the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles within 30 days. The vessel owner also must notify the department within 30 days of any transfer of interest in a vessel.
The owner of a registered vessel who takes up residence at an address differing from that shown on his
registration certificate must advise the department or the county tax collector of the county in which the certificate was issued, of his new address within 30 days.
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Duplicate Certificates
If a valid Florida certificate of registration is lost, destroyed or mutilated, a duplicate can be obtained for a service fee of $2.25 from the county tax collector. If certificate of title is lost, destroyed or mutilated, the titled owner can obtain a duplicate by submitting a completed HSMV 82101 form and $6 fee to the county tax collector. For those counties issuing expedited duplicates and the Department of Highway Safety and Motor
Vehicles offices, the fee is $11.
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In Case Of Accident
A person involved in an accident of a vessel, including capsizing, sinking, personal injury or property damage of $500 or more to another vessel or dock, must report the accident to the Fish and Wildlife Office immediately or as soon as possible. Under law, an accident report is confidential and without prejudice to the individual filing the report.