Take an Official State-Approved Boater Safety Course
Quick Answer
All mechanically propelled boats, sailboats, and boats for hire in Alabama must be registered through your county license office. Fees range from $20 to $100 based on vessel length. Registration is annual.
Note that registration is separate from operator certification—you also need to complete an Alabama boater safety course to legally operate.
Alabama requires registration for:
Canoes and non-motorized kayaks are exempt from registration. However, if you add any type of motor to a canoe or kayak, it must be registered.
Boat registration in Alabama is handled at your county license office (also called the county tag office or probate office). This is the same office where you register motor vehicles. Dealers and livery operators must register through the ALEA Marine Patrol office in Montgomery.
Fees are based on the overall length of the vessel:
First-time registrations also require payment of any applicable sales tax. Replacement or duplicate registration certificates cost $5.
Alabama boat registrations expire at the end of each calendar year, regardless of when you registered. Fees are not prorated. You can renew online at the official Alabama boat registration renewal portal or in person at your county license office.
If you buy or sell a registered boat in Alabama, the transfer must be completed at the county license office:
For new purchases with a current Alabama registration, the application for transfer must be filed within 15 days of the sale.
Alabama provides a 72-hour grace period for registering a newly purchased boat. After that window, the vessel must be registered before operation.
Alabama also requires titles for certain vessels. Title applications are handled through the Alabama Department of Revenue. Titling is a separate process from registration and may involve additional documentation such as a manufacturer’s statement of origin or a previous title from another state.
Registering your boat and getting your operator certification are two different processes:
You need both to be fully legal on Alabama waters.
Explore more Alabama boating guides:
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