How to register a boat in California
Register the right vessels
You must register any sailboat over eight feet long and any boat with a motor, regardless of size. New California residents have 120 days to register a boat brought into the state. A boat validly registered in another state must be registered in California within 90 days of entry.
Apply at DMV
Apply at any DMV field office or by mail using the Application for Vessel Certificate of Number (BOAT 101). Original vessel registration is generally handled in person or by mail rather than fully online; renewals can be done online.
Bring proof of ownership
Bring the completed BOAT 101, proof of ownership (title or manufacturer's certificate of origin), any bills of sale for a private-party purchase, and the applicable fees. Use tax on the purchase is collected separately.
Display the CF number, sticker, and mussel sticker
Paint or permanently attach the CF number (format CF 1234 AB) to each side of the bow in block letters at least three inches high in a contrasting color, with the registration sticker three inches aft of the number on both sides. Motorized freshwater vessels also display the quagga/zebra mussel sticker.
California registration fees
California charges a flat vessel registration fee rather than one scaled by length, on a two-year cycle. Amounts differ slightly between even and odd years because of the biennial cycle. Most motorized freshwater vessels also pay a separate quagga/zebra mussel fee, and use tax on the purchase is collected separately.
| Class | Vessel length | Base fee |
|---|---|---|
| Original registration | Any length | $29.00 |
| Biennial renewal | Any length | $20.00 |
| Transfer of ownership | Any length | $15.00 |
DMV base fees; a duplicate certificate or substitute sticker is $15, and late penalties apply. The quagga/zebra mussel fee for motorized freshwater vessels is currently $16 per two-year cycle and is purchased as a separate transaction. Confirm current amounts on the DMV vessel fee schedule; use tax on the purchase is additional.
Titling in California
California titles boats. For an undocumented vessel, the DMV issues a California Certificate of Ownership (the title) alongside the Certificate of Number, both generated from the BOAT 101 application.
A federally documented vessel is registered with the U.S. Coast Guard and carries a marine certificate, so it does not have to be registered or titled with the California DMV — and it is also exempt from the quagga/zebra mussel fee and sticker. This is the "documented instead of state-registered" arrangement explained in state registration vs USCG documentation. Use tax may still apply to the purchase of a documented vessel, which is separate from registration.
HIN requirements
Every vessel registered in California must display a hull identification number (HIN). When there is no HIN record, or a boat has no HIN, verification is done on a Verification of Vehicle form (REG 31).
At the owner's request, the DMV assigns a HIN at no fee to a vessel that lacks one; the owner submits the California Certificate of Ownership plus a Statement of Facts (REG 256) stating the vessel has no HIN and naming the builder if known, then affixes the assigned number. A fiberglass homemade vessel 15 feet or longer is referred to a licensed vessel verifier or a peace officer for verification.
Before you register, decode any existing hull number with the HIN decoder to confirm the manufacturer and model year match your ownership paperwork.
Renewal
California vessel registration is renewed every two years and expires December 31 of each odd-numbered year — a fixed statewide anchor, regardless of when you bought the boat or how often you use it. The mussel sticker runs on the same two-year cycle and can be bought any time of year. Late penalties apply after expiration; there is no published penalty-free grace period.
Exemptions
Non-motorized craft eight feet or under, and any oar- or paddle-powered boat — canoes, kayaks, rowboats, paddleboards, and non-motorized sailboats eight feet and under — are exempt from registration. Federally documented vessels are exempt from DMV registration and from the mussel fee. A vessel currently registered in another state may operate under reciprocity but must be registered in California within 90 days of entering the state. Vessels used exclusively in salt water are exempt from the quagga/zebra mussel sticker (though they still register if motorized or a sailboat over eight feet). Government vessels and ships' lifeboats used solely for lifesaving are also exempt.
Frequently asked questions
Does California title boats?
Yes. For an undocumented vessel the DMV issues a California Certificate of Ownership (the title) along with the Certificate of Number. A federally documented vessel is neither registered nor titled by the DMV.
Do I have to register a kayak, canoe, or paddleboard in California?
No — oar- and paddle-powered craft and non-motorized sailboats eight feet and under are exempt. A sailboat must be registered only if it is over eight feet, and any boat with a motor must be registered regardless of size.
What is the quagga/zebra mussel sticker?
A separate sticker and fee — currently $16 per two-year cycle — required for motorized vessels used in fresh water. It is bought and mailed separately from your registration. Salt-water-only, documented, and government vessels are exempt.
Do I register my boat with the California DMV if it is USCG documented?
No. A documented vessel is registered with the Coast Guard, so it is not DMV-registered or state-titled, and it is also exempt from the mussel fee. Use tax may still apply to the purchase.
How often does California boat registration renew?
Every two years. Registration expires December 31 of each odd-numbered year, no matter when you bought the boat. Original registration is $29 and biennial renewal is $20.
Primary sources
Last verified .
- California DMV — Register Your Boat/Vessel (retrieved 2026-07-16)
- California DMV — Boat and Vessel Owners (renewal cycle, documented vessels) (retrieved 2026-07-16)
- California DMV Agents' Handbook — Vessel Registration Fees and Use Tax (retrieved 2026-07-16)
- California DMV VIRP Manual — Hull Identification Numbers (HINs) and REG 31 (retrieved 2026-07-16)
- California DMV — Mussel (Quagga) Sticker Request (retrieved 2026-07-16)
Independent reference tool — not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by the U.S. Coast Guard or the National Maritime Center. Vessel data is derived from public USCG sources and may lag official records; always verify with the issuing authority.
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