It's the Law: Before Going Out on Your Vessel

All operators are required to obey laws that regulate your vessel’s registration, titling, and operation.

Registering Your Vessel

• You must have a Florida Certificate of Registration and validation decal to legally operate a vessel on public waters in Florida. The only exceptions are non-motorized vessels and vessels used exclusively on private lakes and ponds.
• The Certificate of Registration and validation decal are issued by the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles.
  • The registration and decal are obtained by submitting the proper application and fee to your county tax collector’s office. Additional information is available and application forms may be downloaded on the Internet at: www.hsmv.state.fl.us/html/forms.html.
  • Fees for registration are based on a vessel’s length.
• The Certificate of Registration must be on board and available for inspection by an enforcement officer whenever the vessel is operated.

• The registration number and validation decal must be displayed as follows:
  • Numbers and letters must be painted, applied as a decal, or otherwise affixed to both sides of the bow and maintained in a legible condition.
  • Numbers and letters must read from left to right on both sides of the vessel.
  • Numbers and letters must be in at least three-inch-high bold BLOCK characters in a color that contrasts with its background.
  • Letters must be separated from the numbers by a hyphen or space equal to letter width; for example: FL 3717 ZW or FL–3717–ZW.
  • Decal must be affixed to the port (left) side of the vessel within six inches of the registration number. The decal may precede or follow the number.

• If your vessel requires registration, it is illegal to operate or give permission for the operation of the vessel unless it is registered and numbered as described above.

Other Facts About Titling and Registration

• A Certificate of Title proves ownership. All vessels are required to have a Certificate of Title except:
  • Non-motorized vessels less than 16 feet in length
  • Vessels used exclusively on private lakes and ponds
  • Vessels documented with the U.S. Coast Guard
• A Certificate of Registration is valid for one year and will expire on the last day of the month prior to the owner’s birth month.
• The owner of a registered vessel must notify the county tax collector within 30 days if he or she changes address.
• The owner of a registered vessel must notify the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles within 30 days if the vessel is sold, stolen, destroyed, abandoned, or lost.
• Vessels must be registered and numbered within 30 days of purchase.
• If your vessel has a current and valid registration or certificate of number from another U.S. state or territory, you may operate it in Florida for 90 days before you are required to register it in Florida.
• Unless a U.S. Coast Guard–documented vessel has a registration in full force and effect from another state, the vessel must display a current Florida validation decal to operate in Florida.