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Please be advised that an increase to boating title and registration fees was approved by the Maryland General Assembly in April 2025. The law adjusting the fees will become effective October 1, 2025. This represents the first adjustment to vessel title and registration fees in 42 years, addressing the rising costs of administering titles and registrations.
Boating Fee Increase FAQs
Why did the boating title and registration fees need to be increased?
Maryland’s boating title and registration fees were last increased in 1983. In the past 42 years, there have been significant increases to costs associated with providing support and administration of boating titles and registrations.
What does revenue from the sale of boating titles and registrations pay for?
This revenue primarily funds Maryland Department of Natural Resources units involved in boating activities including Fishing and Boating Services, Licensing and Registration Service, and the Natural Resources Police. Registration fees, in particular, are federally required to fund only the administration of the registrations, managed by the Licensing and Registration Service. The costs of administering the registrations has increased dramatically since 1983. The proposed fee would bring that funding in line with the inflationary changes over the past 42 years.
How were the fees determined?
The fees and structure were discussed with the Boat Act Advisory Committee’s leadership and representatives of industry groups. The most significant increase is the increase from $24 every two years to $70 every two years for boat registrations. This number was derived from using inflation to determine what the commensurate amount should be today compared to the 1983 level. The exact inflation-adjusted amount is higher (approximately $73), but the cost was rounded down to $70. There is also a voluntary $12 registration if individuals want to register their non-motorized vessels such as canoes and kayaks, so that the Natural Resource Police can easily identify owners if these vessels become loose during flooding or other events.
What additional services will be provided by the higher fees?
Because the fees had not increased in more than forty years, the agency had to use other funds to cover costs. Additional revenue will free up funds for projects that would provide additional and/or improved boating access in Maryland, .
When do the fee increases go into effect?
The fees go into effect on October 1, 2025.
How can I make sure I am kept informed about boating rule changes, including reminders when these fees go into effect?
Visit the DNR website to find information about our boating regulations and sign up for emails.
Why do I now have to pay a registration fee for my vessel that is 16 feet or less and powered by a 7.5HP motor or less? Those registrations were previously issued without having to pay a registration fee.
It takes DNR employees the same amount of time and supplies to issue registration documents for a vessel that is 16 feet or less with a 7.5HP motor as it does to issue those documents for a larger vessel. DNR can no longer afford to do business this way.
My vessel is documented through the U.S. Coast Guard. Why do I now have to pay the same amount to obtain Maryland registration decals? Previously they were provided at a reduced fee.
In order to issue Maryland registration stickers, DNR employees have to input the same information for your documented vessel as they do for a vessel which is state registered only. The previous fee no longer covers the cost of salaries, supplies, and postage.
Why should I voluntarily register my non-motorized canoe, kayak, sailboard, etc.?
The benefit to the owner of a voluntarily registered non-motorized vessel is that if the vessel is found unattended the owner can be contacted in a timely fashion and a determination can be made as to whether or not the vessel drifted away, was stolen, or if there is a missing person/boater in distress. The voluntary registration will allow the boat owner to be reunited with their watercraft, without wasting search and rescue resources.
Information about boating registration can be found on the DNR website. Direct questions to customerservice.dnr@maryland.gov
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