Watercraft licenses - registration procedures & fees

Registration procedures

Note that many deputy registrars and the DNR license bureau are temporarily closed to the public.

Deputy registrars may offer in-person appointments or supply a drop-box where registrations can be left for processing. The DNR does not offer a drop-box.

Check the deputy registrar listings on the Driver and Vehicle Services website for current options.

Register your new watercraft:

  • Options are limited for in-person registrations so check the deputy registrar of motor vehicles listings (where you license your car). The DNR License Center, 500 Lafayette Road in St. Paul is closed and cannot process registrations.


    If your new boat (except kayaks or canoes) is longer than 16', your dealer will apply for title and registration (license) on your behalf, and is responsible for providing you with license materials.

    When you register your boat for the first time, know its length, manufacturer, type of hull material (wood, metal, or plastic), type of propulsion, model, year, serial or hull identification number (HIN) and have a sales receipt that shows you have paid the sales tax.

    Length is the straight-line distance from the foremost part of the boat (bow) to the rearmost part of the boat (stern). Bowsprits, outboard motor brackets, rudders and other attachments are not included in the measurement.

    A watercraft license is not required for:
    Non-motorized watercraft 10 ft or less, or a watercraft owned by a person from another state and that state does not require licensing of that type of watercraft and it is not within Minnesota for more than 90 consecutive days. See MN Boating Guide for more information.

    Boat registrations are good for 3 calendar years (for example 1/1/2003 through 12/31/2005).

Renew your watercraft registration:

Duplicate cards are available:

Fees

Titles

Watercraft title fees

Registrations

Fees for boat registrations effective 7/1/2019

Type of watercraftRegistration feeAquatic invasive species surcharge

[Invasive species info]

Issuing fee

If new or transfer only $8.50, if renewing and transferring $4.50+$8.50.
If renewal only or duplicate card and decals: $6.00.

Watercraft owned by non-profit organization
(Used for teaching water safety camp, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, YMCA, YWCA, etc.)		$4.50$10.60+ issuing fee*
Rental or lease watercraft up to and including 19 feet
(over 19 feet same as pleasure craft);		$9.00$10.60+ issuing fee*
Rental or lease personal watercraft
(Jet Skis, etc.)		$37.50$10.60+ issuing fee*
Canoes, kayaks, sailboats, sailboards, rowing shells (not rowboats) paddleboards and paddleboats (sailboats over 19 feet same as pleasure craft)
Non-motorized watercraft 10ft or less do not require registration		$10.50$10.60+ issuing fee*
Personal watercraft
(Jet Skis, etc.)		$37.50$10.60+ issuing fee*
Pleasure craft less than 17 feet$18.00$10.60+ issuing fee*
Pleasure craft 17 feet up to and including 19 feet$27.00$10.60+ issuing fee*
Pleasure craft over 19 feet but less than 26 feet$45.00$10.60+ issuing fee*
Pleasure craft 26 feet but less than 40 feet$67.50$10.60+ issuing fee*
Pleasure craft 40 feet in length and over$90.00$10.60+ issuing fee*
Dealer's license$67.50$10.60+ issuing fee*
Any watercraft more than 19 feet
in length for hire with an operator		$75.00$10.60+ issuing fee*
Transfer without renewal$4.50$0.00+ issuing fee*
Duplicate registration card$4.50$0.00+ issuing fee*
Duplicate decal only$0.00$0.00+ issuing fee*
Boats for hireContact the Department of Labor and Industry: Code Administration and Boiler Inspection Services

Forms