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Annual Vessel Statistics by County:
Initial
Registration And Titling
Definitions
Exemptions
From Registration
Exemptions
From Titling
Transfer
Of Titled Ownership
Required
Certificate Of Title
Homemade
Vessel Title Applications
Numbering
Decals
Reregistration
Period
Classification
Of Vessels
Change
Of Classification
Fees To
Register Vessel
Commercial
Fees
Hull Identification
Numbers
Out-Of-State
Reciprocity
Change
Of Address Or Interest
Duplicate
Certificates
In Case
Of Accident
Initial Registration And Titling
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. Both of these actions can be accomplished
for vessels being initially registered/titled by completing Form
HSMV 82040 (available from your local
tax collector).
Along with the completed form, a Manufacturer's Statement of Origin,
or its equivalent, must be submitted along with a registration fee
based on the fee
schedule. A $5.25 titling fee should also be provided with an
additional fee of $1 to record each existing lien. There is an additional
titling fee of $4 required for each initial certificate of title
issued for a vessel previously registered outside of this state.
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 listed above. If the sales tax has already been paid,
then the vessel owner should furnish the county tax collector with
a valid receipt indicating where the sales tax was paid and that
it was paid in an amount equal to or greater than the applicable
sales tax.
The registration certificate must be on board the vessel when in
operation. The purchaser of a new or used vessel has 30 days to
apply for registration and title. During this 30-day grace period,
the owner is required to have aboard his vessel proof of date of
purchase. Operation of an unregistered vessel after 30 days is a
second-degree misdemeanor.
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Definitions
Canoe - A long, light, narrow vessel
with both ends sharp and sides curved. A canoe-like vessel with
a squared transom may not be excluded from the definition of a canoe
provided the width of its transom is less than 45 percent of its
beam or it has been so designated as a canoe by the United States
Coast Guard.
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Commercial Vessel - Any vessel primarily
engaged in the taking or landing of saltwater fish or saltwater
products, freshwater fish or freshwater products from within and
without the waters of this state for sale either to the consumer,
retail dealer or wholesale dealer; or any vessel engaged in any
activity wherein a fee is paid by the user, either directly or indirectly,
to the owner, operator or custodian of the vessel.
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Documented Vessel - A vessel that
has or is required to have a valid marine document as a vessel of
the United States pursuant to Title 46, Part 67 of the Code of Federal
Regulations.
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Floating Structure - A floating barge-like
entity with or without accommodations built thereon, which is not
primarily used as a means of transportation on water, but which
serves purposes or provides services typically associated with a
structure or other improvement to real property. The term "floating
structure" includes, but is not limited to, entities used as residence,
place of business, office, hotel or motel, restaurant or lounge,
clubhouse, meeting facility, storage or parking facility, mining
platform, dredge, dragline or similar facility or entity represented
as such. Floating structures are expressly excluded from the definition
of a vessel as provided in ss. 327.02(36), Florida Statutes. Incidental
movement upon water shall not in and of itself preclude an entity
from classification as a floating structure. A floating structure
is expressly included as a type of tangible personal property. Questions
as to whether or not a particular entity is considered a floating
structure or a vessel should be directed to your local property
appraiser.
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Homemade Vessel - Any vessel built
after Oct. 31, 1972 for which a Federal Hull Identification Number
is not required to be assigned to it by the manufacturer pursuant
to federal law, or any vessel constructed or assembled prior to
Nov. 1, 1972 by other than a licensed manufacturer for his own use
or the use of a specific person. A vessel assembled from a manufactured
hull is considered to be a homemade vessel, provided such a vessel
is not required to have a hull identification number as required
by the United States Coast Guard. In no event shall a rebuilt or
reconstructed vessel be considered to be a "homemade" vessel.
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Manufactured Vessel - Any vessel
built after Oct. 31, 1972 for which a Federal Hull Identification
Number is required pursuant to federal law, or any vessel constructed
or assembled prior to Nov. 1, 1972 by a duly licensed manufacturer.
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Vessel - Synonymous with boat as
referenced in s.1.(b), Art. VII of the Florida Constitution and
includes every description of watercraft, barge and airboat, other
than a seaplane on the water, used or capable of being used as a
means of transportation on water. The term "floating structure"
is expressly excluded from the definition of a vessel.
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Exemptions From Registration
Vessels exempt from registration include:
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Exemptions From Titling
Vessels exempt from titling include:
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Transfer Of Titled Ownership
If the titled ownership of an undocumented vessel is
transferred from one individual to another, an application for transfer
of ownership must be filed with the county
tax collector within 30 days along with a service fee of $6.25.
The purchaser or transferee shall be charged an additional $10
fee if the title transfer application is not properly filed within
this 30-day period. In making application for such transfer, the
new owner must surrender to the county tax collector the last title
document issued for the vessel, properly executed. In addition,
the new owner must pay $1 for each lien to be recorded plus applicable
sales tax on the total purchase price or proof of sales tax payment.
For specific instructions regarding the transfer of ownership based
on probate, contractual default or prior federal documentation,
contact your local county
tax collector's office.
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Required Certificate Of Title
No person shall sell, assign or transfer a vessel titled
by the State of Florida without delivering to the purchaser or transferee
a valid certificate of title with an assignment on it showing transfer
of title to the purchaser or transferee.
No person shall purchase or otherwise acquire a vessel
required to be titled by the state without obtaining a certificate
of title for it in his name. The purchaser or transferee shall file
with the county tax
collector of the county where the vessel is located or of the
county where the purchaser or transferee resides an application
for a title transfer within 30 days after a change in vessel ownership.
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Homemade Vessel Title Applications
An initial application for the registration and titling
of a homemade vessel must 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.
In making application for an initial Florida title, the owner of
a homemade vessel less than 16 feet in length shall submit to the
county tax collector form HSMV
82040, along with a Statement of Builder and a $5.25 titling
fee.
Upon receipt of the application, the department may elect to conduct
a visual inspection of the vessel to insure that it meets the legal
definition of a "homemade vessel."
The owner of a homemade vessel 16 feet or more in length must contact
the nearest Fish and Wildlife
Office to arrange for a physical inspection of the vessel. At
the time of inspection, the owner of the homemade vessel shall be
required to submit an executed Statement of Builder or Builder's
Certificate to the inspecting officer.
Upon satisfactory completion of the inspection, the inspecting
officer provides the owner of the homemade vessel an executed Certificate
of Inspection, DEP Form 20-126-FMP which must be submitted to the
county tax collector along with HSMV
82040, the Statement of Builder or Builder's Certificate and
a $5.25 titling fee. (Note: In addition, a registration fee based
on the length of the vessel and any applicable sales tax must be
paid.)
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Numbering
The Florida registration number issued to a vessel is permanent and
remains with the vessel as long as it is operated or stored in this
state, even though its ownership may change.
The registration number issued to an undocumented vessel is to
be painted or permanently attached to both sides of the bow (forward
half) of the vessel and must be in block letters and numerals at
least three inches high. The registration number must read from
left to right, must contrast in color with the hull and be maintained
in legible condition.
The prefix and suffix must be separated from the numerals by a space
equal to the width of the digits, i.e., FL 0001 AB.
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Decals
A decal signifying the year during which the registration certificate
is valid will be issued with each registration certificate. The
decal must be displayed on the port (left) side of the vessel. It
may be placed immediately before or after the registration number.
A decal issued to a federally documented vessel may be affixed to
a window or windshield on the port side. Any decal for a previous
year's registration must be removed from the vessel.
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Reregistration Period
For vessels owned by individuals, the registration
period begins the first day of the birth month of the owner and
ends the last day of the month immediately preceding the owner's
birth month in the succedding year. If the vessle is registered
in the name of more than one person, the birth month of the person
whose name first appears on the registration shall be used to determine
the registration period. For a vessel subject to this registration
period. For a vessel subject to this registration period, the renewal
period is the 30 day period ending at midnight on the vessel owner's
date of birth.
For vessels owned by companies, corporations, governmental entities,
and registrations issued to dealers and manufacturers, the registration
period begins July 1 and ends June 30. The renewal period is the
30 day period beginning June 1.
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Classification Of Vessels
Any vessel that is required to be registered and is
not operated for commercial purposes shall be classified
and registered as a pleasure craft. Vessels that meet the definition
of a commercial vessel must be registered as commercial.
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Change Of Classification
If the classification of a vessel changes from pleasure
to commercial, or from commercial to pleasure, and the vessel has
a current registration, the owner must complete form HSMV 87015
(available from county tax collector) with his certificate of registration
along with a fee of $2.25 to the county
tax collector.
If a non-exempted vessel owned by a non-resident
or alien changes from pleasure to commercial, then an additional
$50 commercial vessel fee is required.
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Fees To Register Vessel (Pleasure Or Commercial)
Class A-1 -- All vessels less than 12 feet in length,
and motorized canoes $10.25
Class A-2 -- 12 feet or more and less than 16 feet
in length $21.00
Class 1 -- 16 feet or more and less than 26 feet in
length $33.50
Class 2 -- 26 feet or more and less than 40 feet in
length $83.00
Class 3 -- 40 feet or more and less than 65 feet in
length $132.50
Class 4 -- 65 feet or more and less than 110 feet
in length $157.50
Class 5 -- 110 feet or more in length $194.50
Dealer Classification $30.25
(The above fees include a $2.25 service fee and $.50
FRVIS fee.)
NOTE: Some counties have elected to impose an additional
county registration fee; therefore, before remitting money by mail,
you should contact the tax
collector's office in which you will be registering your vessel
for the exact fee amount.
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Commercial Fees
An additional $50 commercial vessel license fee is
required of all non-residents or aliens. A Saltwater Products License
is required of all individuals who sell saltwater products and/or
use certain gear in Florida. The minimum cost of a license is $50
for residents, $200 for non-residents and $300 for aliens.
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Hull Identification Numbers
No person shall operate on the waters of this state
a vessel, unless the vessel displays the assigned hull identification
number. A hull identification number is unique to the vessel and
allows its positive identification.
The hull identification number must be carved, burned,
stamped, embossed or otherwise permanently affixed to the outboard
side of the transom or, if there is no transom, to the outermost
starboard side at the end of the hull that bears the rudder or other
steering mechanism, above the waterline of the vessel in such a
way that alteration, removal or replacement would be obvious and
evident.
The characters of the hull identification number must
be of not less than 12 in number and no less than one-fourth inch
in height. Vessels for which the manufacturer has provided no hull
identification number and homemade vessels constructed or assembled
by the owner shall be assigned a hull identification number by the
Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles.
Any questions regarding the hull identification
number on a vessel should be directed to the nearest Fish
and Wildlife Office or to the Department of Highway Safety and
Motor Vehicles' Customer Service Center (850) 617-2000.
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Out-Of-State Reciprocity
Florida recognizes valid registration certificates
and numbers issued to visiting vessel owners by other states for
a period of 90 days.
An owner who intends to use his vessel in Florida
longer than 90 days must register it with a county
tax collector. However, he may retain the out-of-state registration
number if he plans to return to his home state within a reasonable
period of time.
Out-of-state vessel owners who plan to remain permanently in Florida
must notify the county tax collector. He/she will receive a Florida
registration certificate number to replace those issued by the state
of former residence. The out-of-state registration and certificate
of title, if issued, must be surrendered to the tax collector.
Out-of-state registration certificates and numbers for vessels
owned by military personnel on active duty in Florida are valid
in Florida until the expiration date, after which the vessels must
be registered by the state of Florida.
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Change Of Address Or Interest
The destruction or abandonment of a registered vessel
must be reported by the vessel owner to the Department of Highway
Safety and Motor Vehicles within 30 days. The vessel owner also
must notify the department within 30 days of any transfer of interest
in a vessel.
The owner of a registered vessel who takes up residence
at an address differing from that shown on his registration certificate
must advise the department or the county
tax collector of the county in which the certificate was issued,
of his new address within 30 days.
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Duplicate Certificates
If a valid Florida certificate of registration is lost,
destroyed or mutilated, a duplicate can be obtained for a service
fee of $2.25 from the county
tax collector. If certificate of title is lost, destroyed
or mutilated, the titled owner can obtain a duplicate by submitting
a completed HSMV
82101 form and $6 fee to the county
tax collector. For those counties issuing expedited duplicates
and the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles offices,
the fee is $11.
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In Case Of Accident
A person involved in an accident of a vessel,
including capsizing, sinking, personal injury or property damage
of $500 or more to another vessel or dock, must report the accident
to the Fish and Wildlife
Office immediately or as soon as possible. Under law, an accident
report is confidential and without prejudice to the individual filing
the report.
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