Vessel Registration

As an agent for The Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, the Tax Collector is responsible for providing the necessary service and record keeping procedures used in processing vessel titles and registrations. All motorized vessels, commercial and private, must be registered titled and issued a decal before they can be used in Florida waters. The decal must be affixed to the port side of the boat.

Vessel registrations expire at midnight of the owners’ birthday.

Vessel registration fees are based on the length of the boat.

ATTENTION BOAT OWNERS

As your Taylor County Tax Collector, I would like to make sure that everyone is aware of the increase in boat registration fees, EFFECTIVE JULY 1st. Senate Bill 1286, which was recently passed by the Florida Legislature and signed into law by Governor Crist, will increase boat registration fees by approximately 51% beginning July 1st.

The fee increase will raise about $10.2 million annually to pay for FWC law enforcement staff (66 positions that would have been lost due to budget cuts), fuel for law enforcement operations, derelict boat removal and manatee rehabilitation. Below is a chart showing the old registration fees (prior to 07/01/08) and the new fees (effective 07/01/08):

LENGTH OF VESSEL	OLD FEE	NEW FEE
Less than 12 feet and motorized canoes	$8.75	$10.75
12 feet or more and less than 16 feet	$15.75	$21.50
16 feet or more and less than 26 feet	$23.75	$34.00
26 feet or more and less than 40 feet	$55.75	$83.50
40 feet or more and less than 65 feet	$87.75	$133.00
65 feet or more and less than 110 feet	$103.75	$158.00
110 feet or more	$127.75	$195.00

Please be aware that you are allowed to renew both your boat and vehicle registrations up to 90 days prior to the beginning of your birth month, therefore, if your registration expires in July, August, or September you can save money by renewing your boat registration prior to July 1st. If you have any questions, please contact our office at 850-838-3517 or online at http://www.taylorcountytaxcollector.com.

Jack Tedder
Taylor County Tax Collector

Obtaining a Florida Boat Title

Application with a Manufacture's Statement of Origin

The selling dealer, for all new boats must complete the manufacturer's statement of origin (MSO), when applicable. Proof of sales tax paid or proof of exemption must be provided, or sales tax must be collected.

Application with a Florida Title

To transfer a Florida title of a used boat to the new owner, Form #1 and Form #2 on the title must be completed. If the vessel is purchased through a dealer, the dealer reassignment also must be completed. Sales tax will be collected if applicable. Boat registration must be transferred at the time of title transfer.

Application with an Out-of-State Title or Registration

Many states do not require boats to be titled. Proof of ownership on a used boat from a non-title state is the vessel registration. A notarized bill of sale is required with the registration to transfer ownership. If a title is available, the title and Application for Certificate of Title With/Without Registration

must be completed for processing. Sales tax will be collected if applicable.

Sojourners

A non-resident boater with a valid out-of-state registration certificate may use his/her vessel in Florida waters for 90 days without applying for a Florida registration. This applies to pleasure boats only. If the non-resident intends to use the craft in Florida for a period longer than 90 days, the boat must be registered with the Department of Motor Vehicles, which is processed at the Tax Collectors' Office.

Boating Educational Requirements

Florida law requires persons 21 years of age or younger complete a NASBLA approved boater education course prior to operating a vessel powered by a motor 10 horsepower or more. The How to Boat Smart course meets these requirements. The Boat Smart Test Booklet is available at the tax collector’s office. The law requires that persons affected by this legislation have in their possession a boater safety identification card issued by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission (FWC) and photographic I.D. while operating a vessel. Cards are obtained by sending proof of completion of an approved boating safety course (classroom, correspondence or on-line) to:

FWC Boating Safety Section
620 South Meridian Street
Tallahassee, Florida 32399-1600