VESSEL TITLES AND REGISTRATIONS

Any time the ownership of a vessel (including mobile home and vehicles) changes, you must apply for a title and registration in your name. Please read through the options below and select the one, or ones, that best fit your needs.

TITLING A NEW VESSEL

If you have a vessel that you purchased from a Florida vessel dealer, the dealer usually processes the certificate of title.

If you have a new vessel purchased from an out-of-state vessel dealer you can have it titled at one of our service centers, or our partner tag agency.

The following items are needed in addition to a completed Application for Certificate of Title:

A Manufacturer’s Certificate of Origin (MCO)
Each applicant must sign the application for the title (this is done at the office if application is in person)
A bill of sale or invoice listing the purchase price, sales tax paid, and any trade-in allowance (please note, additional sales tax may be due)
Any applicable lien holder information

Find the estimated fees associated with this type of service.

TITLING AN OUT OF STATE VESSEL

When registering a vessel that was previously titled out-of-state, a Certificate of Title Application may be completed and submitted at one of the Tax Collector’s Service Centers or our partner Tag Agency.

The following items are also required:

The out-of-state registration certificate in your name or assigned to you
Each applicant must sign the application at the time of transfer
Florida Sales Tax may be due if the vessel was purchased less than 6 months prior to bringing the vessel to Florida (proof of any sales tax paid to another state will be required, also the full 6% Florida Sales Tax and any applicable local option tax is due on all vessels imported from foreign countries)
Any applicable lienholder information

NOTE: Antique vessels (30 years or older) coming from another state or country which do not have a current certificate of title or USCG documentation to provide as proof of ownership must have a HIN inspection conducted by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) prior to applying for Florida title/registration.

TRANSFER OF TITLE OWNERSHIP ON A FLORIDA VESSEL

When transferring ownership of a vessel already titled in Florida, you must bring the following items to one of the Tax Collector’s Service Centers or our partner Tag Agency:

The Florida title properly completed by the seller
The Florida title properly completed by each purchaser/applicant
Each applicant must sign the application for title (this is done at the time of transfer)
Proof of identity (one of the following) must be provided and legible:
- Copy of your valid Driver License or ID Card issued by Florida or another state (this includes any U.S. territory)
- Copy of your valid passport or passport card
- Copy of your valid Canadian Driver License or ID Card

VESSELS DOCUMENTED WTIH THE U.S. COAST GUARD

When registering a vessel that is currently documented through the United States Coast Guard, an Application to Register Non-Titled Vessels (HSMV 87244) will need to be completed and submitted at one of the Tax Collector’s Service Centers or our partner Tag Agency.

The following items are also required:

Certificate of Documentation from the United States Coast Guard (or proof of application, if still pending)
Each applicant must sign HSMV 87244
Bill of sale [if current owner name(s) are NOT listed on Certificate of Documentation]
Applicable Florida sales/use tax will be collected at the time of registration unless previously paid or exempt. To ensure correct taxes are collected, please bring proof of any sales tax already paid to Florida or another state. Use taxes will be due if the vessel was purchased less than 6 months prior to bringing the vessel to Florida. Also, the full 6% Florida sales tax and any applicable local option tax is due on all vessels imported from foreign countries.

NOTE: If you are having your vessel removed from documentation, you will need to provide the “Evidence of Deletion from United States Documentation” letter from the US Coast Guard (and bill of sale, if ownership is changing) to apply for a Florida title/registration.

Vessel Registrations

Registration fees are based on the length or use of the vessel.

Vessel registrations may be obtained at one of the Lee County Tax Collector’s Service Centers or at our partner Tag Agency.

Registration Renewal

Florida law requires vessel registrations to be current if operated, used or stored in the water. Florida vessel registrations expire as follows:

For vessels owned by individuals, the expiration date is the birthday of the first owner listed on the registration.

For company-owned vessels, the expiration date is June 30.

Vessel registrations may be renewed at one of our service centers, through our partner Tag Agency.

Check your mail!  As a courtesy, the Lee County Tax Collector’s Office mails renewal notices to Florida vessel owners approximately three weeks prior to the owner’s birth month (or month in which the renewal is due). Be on the lookout for the notice which has information to help you renew your registration quickly and easily.

Registration notice can be returned for renewal by mail in the envelope provided.

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