TRANSPORTATION / WATER TRAVEL

Watercraft Registration

Any motorized boat owned by a state resident must first be registered in Florida before the watercraft can be launched in Florida waters. Out-of-state title, current registration, and any lien information are required for boat tags. Applications for vessel registration and title certificates are to be filed by the vessel owner with the county tax collector’s office in the county where the vessel is located or in the county where the vessel owner resides. Unless a vessel is exempt from titling, it must be titled at the same time it is registered. If the sales tax on the total purchase price of the vessel has not been previously paid, the vessel owner must pay the tax along with the fees. The county tax collectors also oversee boat registration. For more information or answers to specific questions, contact:

County Tax Collectors

Hillsborough County
Tampa
813-635-5200
http://www.hillstax.org/

Pasco County
Dade City
352-521-4338
Land O’ Lakes
813-235-6076
New Port Richey
727-847-8032
http://www.pascotaxes.com/

Pinellas County
Clearwater
727-562-3262
www.taxcollect.com

Sarasota County
Sarasota
941-861-8300
www.scgov.net