How to Register a Boat

The law stipulates that a motorized watercraft must be registered with the governing authorities to operate on Maine waterways. Situations not required to meet this standard in obtaining Maine Registration are:

• Ship’s lifeboats.
• Boats employed exclusively for racing purposes with proper identifying registration numbers and documentation from an esteemed affiliation.
• Watercrafts actively registered and/or titled in another state or country to be used for an allocated time of fewer than 60 days on Maine waters.
• State and Federal Government boats.

Multiple steps are required to secure registration and title to your vessel in Maine. Initially, you will be required to pay the Maine Excise Tax on the sale of the boat before applying for registration. To complete this, attend the municipal tax collector’s office or clerk official in your town/city of residence with the vessel’s sales receipt, bill of sale, proof of residency, and sufficient payment. An exemption from the excise tax is available should your boat be a non-motorized vessel under 20 feet in length or if you qualify for a waiver from paying property tax.

Once the Excise tax is paid, you can visit the Fish and Wildlife Office in Augusta or a nearby Recreational Vehicle Agent at your town/city Clerk’s Office with the following documentation:

• A filled-out Maine ATV, Boat, and Snowmobile Registration Application.
• Evidence of paid excise tax with either:
  • Bill of sale with included excise tax payment notation (for new vessels/dealer purchases).
  • Maine Use Tax Certificate.
• Acceptable form of payment for all taxes and registration fees.