How do you register a boat after moving to Brevard County, Florida?

Title and register it at a Brevard County tax collector office. An out-of-state registration only covers about 90 days in Florida, and boaters born on or after January 1, 1988 also need an FWC boater ID card.

A lot of my buyers move to the Space Coast because of the water. They want a dock on Merritt Island, a quick run to the ramp from Melbourne, or a weekend on the Banana River out of Cocoa Beach. What catches many of them off guard is the paperwork. Florida has its own rules for boat titles, registration, and operator education, and they kick in soon after you arrive.

Here is the step-by-step for bringing your boat to Brevard County, what it costs, and the boater education card rule that applies to anyone born in 1988 or later.

How Long Can You Use an Out-of-State Boat Registration in Florida?

The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) exempts a vessel from Florida titling when it is covered by a valid registration number from another state, as long as the vessel is not located in Florida for more than 90 consecutive days. Once you move here for good, plan to switch your boat over to a Florida title and registration inside that window.

If you buy a boat after you arrive, the clock is shorter. A purchaser of a new or used vessel has 30 days to title and register it, and must keep proof of the purchase date aboard during that period. Operating an unregistered vessel after 30 days is a second-degree misdemeanor.

Where Do You Register a Boat in Brevard County?

FLHSMV sets the rules, but applications are filed at a county tax collector or license plate agent office. In Brevard County, that means the Brevard County Tax Collector, the same office that handles your car tags. If you are doing both at once, our guide to registering your car as a new Space Coast resident covers the vehicle side.

What Documents Do You Need?

FLHSMV requires a vessel that is not exempt from titling to be titled at the same time it is registered. Bring the document that matches your situation:

Your boat Proof of ownership to bring
Titled in another state The out-of-state title
From a state that does not title boats Current registration from that state, plus a bill of sale with a full vessel description if you just bought it
Brand new Manufacturer's Certificate of Origin, or an executed bill of sale from the boat seller's business if purchased in a state that does not require one
Used boat already titled in Florida The Florida title, completed for transfer

If sales tax was not paid on the purchase, it is due at registration. If it was paid, bring the receipt.

How Much Does Boat Registration Cost in Florida?

Registration fees are based on length. FLHSMV's published fee chart lists these registration fees for common recreational sizes:

Class Length Registration fee
Class A-1 Less than 12 feet $5.50
Class A-2 12 to less than 16 feet $16.25
Class 1 16 to less than 26 feet $28.75
Class 2 26 to less than 40 feet $78.25
Class 3 40 to less than 65 feet $127.75

FLHSMV notes that registration fees also include a $2.25 service fee and a $0.50 FRVIS fee not shown in the chart. Titling adds $5.25 for an electronic title, $7.75 for paper, or $11 for expedited, plus a $4 fee for vessels previously registered outside Florida and $1 per existing lien. Owners can register for one year or two. Brevard County is not on FLHSMV's list of counties charging the optional county fee. Fees can change, so confirm with the tax collector before your visit.

Do Kayaks and Paddleboards Need to Be Registered?

Usually not. FLHSMV exempts non-motor-powered vessels under 16 feet and non-motor-powered canoes, kayaks, racing shells, and rowing sculls regardless of length. Add a trolling motor, though, and the answer changes because the vessel is now motorized.

Do You Need a Boating License in Florida?

Florida does not have a boating license, but it does have an education requirement. Per the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), anyone born on or after January 1, 1988, who operates a motorboat of 10 horsepower or more must complete an approved boating safety course and carry an FWC Boating Safety Education Identification Card along with a photo ID. The card is valid for life.

A few details new residents should know:

  • A course completion certificate plus photo ID works for up to 90 days while you wait for the permanent card.
  • Nonresidents can use proof of a NASBLA-approved course from another state. Once you are a Florida resident, plan on getting the Florida card.
  • You are exempt if an adult 18 or older who holds the card, or who is exempt, is aboard and responsible for safe operation.

Where to Launch Once You Are Registered

With the paperwork done, the fun part starts. Brevard County has public ramps from Merritt Island to Melbourne. Our public boat ramp guide for Brevard County maps them out, and if you are still house hunting, see which Merritt Island neighborhoods reach open water.

FAQ: Boat Registration on the Space Coast

How long do I have to register my boat after moving to Florida?

An out-of-state registration is recognized only while the vessel is in Florida for no more than 90 consecutive days. If you buy a boat here, you have 30 days to title and register it.

Where do I register a boat in Brevard County?

At a Brevard County Tax Collector office or license plate agent. FLHSMV sets the rules, and the tax collector processes the title and registration.

Who needs a Florida boater education card?

Anyone born on or after January 1, 1988, who operates a motorboat of 10 horsepower or more, unless an exemption applies.

Buying on the Space Coast for the boating life means matching the right house to the right water access. If you are looking at waterfront in Merritt Island, Melbourne, or Cocoa Beach, I can help you sort out docks, depth, and bridges before you buy. My partner Nichole and I got your back. Reach out anytime at (321) 212-7676 or www.livingspacecoast.com.