Montana Boat Registration Fees, Permanent Registration & AIS Rules (2026)
Montana boat registration fees, required documents, online options, title rules, and renewal steps based on the listed agency source.
Key Takeaway: All motorboats, personal watercraft, and sailboats 12 feet or longer must be registered and numbered before operating on Montana waters. Registration fees range from $66 to $296 and are valid for permanent registration. Title rules depend on the vessel: All motorboats, personal watercraft, and sailboats 12 feet or longer must obtain a certificate of ownership (title) from the County Treasurer.
Montana fee, title, renewal, and filing notes use the listed agency page. Last checked: 2026-08-02.
Common Montana Registration Questions
Use the state page for fees, renewal, agency links, and title rules. Use these support guides when the problem is lookup, transfer paperwork, missing documents, decals, or personal watercraft.
Montana Cost, Renewal, and PWC Cost Paths
Choose the path that matches your Montana task. Keep state-specific fees, renewal timing, and title rules on this page; use a linked guide when the question is about cost, renewal, and pwc cost across states or a separate paperwork workflow.
Which Boats Need Registration in Montana?
Must Register
All motorboats, personal watercraft, and sailboats 12 feet or longer must be registered and numbered before operating on Montana waters.
Exemptions
- Non-motorized sailboats less than 12 feet in length
- Manually propelled boats (canoes, kayaks, rowboats, paddleboards)
- USCG documented vessels (exempt from state numbering but must register)
- Government-owned vessels
Montana Boat Registration Fees & Costs
- Base fee
- $66 - $296
- Title fee
- $10.00
- Renewal period
- Permanent registration
- Sales Tax Rate
- 0%
- Surcharge / local items
- No universal surcharge listed; local, tax, or file-specific items may still apply
- Agency confirmation
- Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP) / County Treasurer · reviewed 2026-08-02
| Vessel Class | Registration Fee | Additional Fees | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 16 feet | $65.50 | None listed | $65.50 |
| 16–18 feet | $125.50 | None listed | $125.50 |
| 19 feet and longer | $295.50 | None listed | $295.50 |
The listed Montana totals are permanent resident registration fees paid through the County Treasurer. Nonresident AIS Prevention Pass costs are conditional operating items, not universal registration add-ons.
Use the fee calculator with Montana preselected to combine the listed registration class,title fee, and sales tax planning inputs. Listed registration totals on this page start from $66 - $296 before local, tax, or file-specific charges.
Use the listed Montana fee range, title rule, and official source date to organize the documents you still need to confirm before paying or operating.
Montana fee, title, renewal, and filing notes use the listed agency page. Last checked: 2026-08-02.
Registration Process in Montana
Gather Required Documents
Prepare all necessary documentation including proof of ownership, identification, and HIN verification.
Choose Registration Method
Use the official Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP) / County Treasurer path for online eligibility, mail, in-person, or certified-application handling.
Submit Application & Pay Fees
Complete the registration form and pay the applicable fees. Timing note: Before operating on Montana waters
Receive Registration Number
Once approved, you will receive your registration certificate, number, and validation stickers.
Display Registration Number
Affix the registration number and stickers to your vessel according to state display requirements.
Required Documents Checklist
Montana fee, title, renewal, and filing notes use the listed agency page. Last checked: 2026-08-02.
Boat Title & Title Transfer in Montana
All motorboats, personal watercraft, and sailboats 12 feet or longer must obtain a certificate of ownership (title) from the County Treasurer.
Issued by: County Treasurer in the county of residence
Submit the signed certificate of ownership from the seller, a completed application, a bill of sale, and payment of the title transfer fee to the County Treasurer in your county of residence.
$10.00
$10.00
Available
Before registering a newly purchased boat, verify the seller's ownership documents, bill of sale, HIN, and any lien release. The state-specific transfer process above should be matched with the national used-boat and lien-check steps.
Registration Renewal in Montana
Montana uses permanent boat registration through the County Treasurer. FWP says Montana boats are no longer required to display validation decals.
Montana boat registration is permanent for listed vessels. Confirm County Treasurer title and registration records, and use the FWP AIS path when a nonresident watercraft pass applies.
- State deadline or operating trigger
- Before operating on Montana waters
- Late or expired-registration risk
- Do not operate until registration, ownership records, and any required AIS Prevention Pass are current; enforcement penalties may apply
- Official source date
- 2026-08-02 · agency source listed
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP) / County Treasurer handles the listed renewal source for this state. Use the renewal guide to compare online, mail, and in-person renewal patterns before relying on a notice or expired registration date.
Montana fee, title, renewal, and filing notes use the listed agency page. Last checked: 2026-08-02.
Boater Safety Education in Montana
Registration Number Display Rules
All registered vessels in Montana must display their registration number and validation stickers according to the following requirements:
Montana vs Neighboring States
Neighboring state data will be available once more states are added.
Montana LLC, charter, or business-use boat?
If the boat is held by an LLC, used for charter, or tied to business activity, start with the Montana commercial checklist before using a recreational registration answer.
Frequently Asked Questions About Montana Boat Registration
How much does it cost to register a boat in Montana?
Montana charges permanent resident registration fees based on vessel length: $65.50 for boats under 16 feet, $125.50 for boats 16 to under 19 feet, and $295.50 for boats 19 feet and longer.
Does Montana require a boat title?
Yes. All motorboats, personal watercraft, and sailboats 12 feet or longer must obtain a certificate of ownership (title) from the County Treasurer in the owner's county of residence.
Does Montana charge sales tax on boats?
Montana has no state sales tax. If the boat is moved to or primarily used in another state, confirm that state's use-tax and registration rules before relying on the Montana tax result.
Is boater education required in Montana?
No, Montana does not currently require mandatory boater education. However, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks strongly recommends completing a NASBLA-approved boating safety course for all operators.
What is the AIS Prevention Pass?
The Vessel AIS Prevention Pass is required for nonresident watercraft launching in Montana. FWP lists $30 for motorized watercraft and $10 for nonmotorized watercraft, expiring December 31, with no decal.
Can I register my boat online in Montana?
Start from the Montana FWP registration page or your County Treasurer. Use an official online licensing path only where it is offered for your transaction.
How long is boat registration valid in Montana?
Montana boat registration is permanent. FWP says Montana boats are no longer required to display validation decals.
Do non-residents need to register their boat in Montana?
Non-residents with a valid home state registration may operate in Montana for up to 90 days without Montana registration. Nonresident watercraft launching in Montana must also have a Vessel AIS Prevention Pass: $30 for motorized watercraft or $10 for nonmotorized watercraft. After 90 days, Montana registration is required.
Which boats must be registered in Montana?
FWP says sailboats 12 feet or longer, all motorboats, and all personal watercraft must be registered and numbered before operating in Montana.
Ready to Register Your Boat in Montana?
Visit the official Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP) / County Treasurer website to start your boat registration or renewal.
Register at Montana Fish, Wildlife & ParksMontana fee, title, renewal, and filing notes use the listed agency page. Last checked: 2026-08-02.