Boat Engine Titles: What's Ohio's Take?

In Ohio, almost every recreational boat operated on public waterways must be registered and titled. However, the requirements for boat titling vary depending on the boat's specifications. Outboard motors with 10 horsepower or greater require a title in Ohio. This rule also applies to boats that are 14 feet or longer and boats under 14 feet in length with a permanently attached, mechanical engine of 10 horsepower or greater. Boat owners can obtain titles from any county title office.

Do boats need to be registered in Ohio?

In Ohio, almost every recreational boat operated on public waterways must be registered through the Ohio Department of Natural Resources. This includes motorboats, sailboats, canoes, kayaks, pedal boats, and even inflatable boats.

Boat registration certificates and tags can be obtained from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Watercraft office. They are valid for up to 3 years and expire on March 1 of the third year.

There are some exemptions to the rule. The following boats do not need to be registered:

• Boats that have been federally documented by the Coast Guard.
• Boats numbered by another state and operated in Ohio for 60 days or less.
• Boats from a country other than the United States that are temporarily using Ohio’s waterways.
• Boats owned by the United States, a state, or political subdivision.
• The lifeboats of a ship.
• Boats exempted by the chief of the Division of Watercraft.
• Boats under a waiver issued for a race or special event.
• Canoes, rowboats, and inflatable boats that have Alternative Registration.
• Sailboards (or windsurfers), kiteboards, paddleboards, belly boats, and float tubes.

Additionally, certain boats and outboard engines require a certificate of title in Ohio. These include:

• Any boat 14 feet or greater in length.
• An outboard motor of 10 horsepower or greater.
• Any boat with a permanently affixed means of propulsion of 10 horsepower or greater (e.g. Jet Skis).

To register a boat in Ohio, you will need:

• A Certified Watercraft Registration Application.
• For titled boats, proof of ownership is in Ohio title (in your name).
• For non-titled boats, proof of ownership can be: Manufacturer's Statement of Origin, a signed-over registration from the previous owner, or a Notarized Affidavit of Ownership.

What are the requirements for boat registration in Ohio?

To operate a boat in Ohio, the boat must be properly registered, numbered, and titled, if required. The boat registration certificate and tags can be obtained from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Watercraft office. They are valid for up to 3 years and expire on March 1 of the indicated year. The certificate must be carried on the boat as proof of registration, and two square registration tags must be displayed on the boat.

Every boat operated on Ohio's waterways must be numbered by the state of Ohio or by the boat owner's state of residence. The number must be properly displayed on the boat at all times, painted or otherwise permanently affixed to each side of the boat's bow. The color of the registration number must contrast with the color of the boat, and the numbers must be in plain block letters, at least 3 inches high, and read from left to right.

The following boats must be titled to be sold, purchased, or otherwise acquired:

• An outboard motor of 10 horsepower or greater.
• A boat that is 14 feet in length or greater.
• A boat that is under 14 feet in length that has a permanently attached, mechanical engine of 10 horsepower or greater.
• Boats that have been documented by the Coast Guard.
• Human-powered craft (e.g., canoes and kayaks).
• Boats under 14 feet in length without a permanently attached, mechanical engine.
• Boats under 14 feet in length with a permanently attached, mechanical engine of less than 10 horsepower.
• The lifeboats of a ship.
• Government-owned boats.
• Boats with motors under 10 horsepower.
• Sailboards, kiteboards, paddleboards, belly boats, and float tubes.

The following boats are exempt from registration:

• Boats that have been federally documented by the Coast Guard.
• Boats numbered by another state and operated in Ohio for 60 days or less.
• Boats from a country other than the United States that are temporarily using Ohio's waterways.
• Boats owned by the United States, a state, or political subdivision.
• The lifeboats of a ship.
• Boats exempted by the chief of the Division of Watercraft.
• Boats under a waiver issued for a race or special event.
• Canoes, rowboats, and inflatable boats with Alternative Registration.
• Sailboards, kite boards, paddleboards, belly boats, and float tubes.

Additionally, all boaters born on or after January 1, 1981, must carry a Boater Education Card and obtain an Ohio Boater Education Certificate to operate a boat or personal watercraft legally.

Do boats need to be titled in Ohio?

In Ohio, most recreational boats require a title to be legally operated on the water. The following boats and engines must be titled in order to be sold, purchased, or otherwise acquired:

• An outboard motor of 10 horsepower or greater.
• A boat that is 14 feet in length or greater.
• A boat that is under 14 feet in length with a permanently attached, mechanical engine of 10 horsepower or greater.
• Boats that have been documented by the Coast Guard.
• Human-powered craft (i.e. canoes and kayaks).
• Boats under 14 feet in length without a permanently attached, mechanical engine.
• Boats under 14 feet in length with a permanently attached, mechanical engine of less than 10 horsepower.
• The lifeboats of a ship.
• Government-owned boats.
• Boats with motors under 10 horsepower.
• Sailboards (or wind surfers), kiteboards, paddleboards, belly boats, and float tubes.

Boat and engine titles can be obtained from any county title office.

To title your boat, you will need to file electronically with the Clerk of Courts. You can also file in person at your local county title office. As of 2024, watercraft titles in Ohio cost $15.00, and you will also be responsible for any additional taxes or fees.

What are the requirements for boat titles in Ohio?

To operate a boat in Ohio, it must be properly registered, numbered, and titled, if required. All motorized vessels need to be registered, and non-motorized vessels over 10 feet in length also need to be registered. Most boats over 20 feet in length need to be titled.

Boat registration certificates and tags can be obtained from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Watercraft office. They are valid for up to 3 years and expire on March 1 of the third year. Every boat operated on Ohio's waterways is required to be numbered by the state of Ohio or by the boat owner's state of residence. The number must be properly displayed on the boat at all times.

The following boats and engines must be titled in Ohio to be sold, purchased, or otherwise acquired:

• An outboard motor of 10 horsepower or greater.
• A boat that is 14 feet in length or greater.
• A boat that is under 14 feet in length with a permanently attached, mechanical engine of 10 horsepower or greater.
• Boats that have been documented by the Coast Guard.
• Human-powered craft (e.g., canoes and kayaks).
• Boats under 14 feet in length without a permanently attached, mechanical engine.
• Boats under 14 feet in length with a permanently attached, mechanical engine of less than 10 horsepower.
• The lifeboats of a ship.
• Government-owned boats.
• Boats with motors under 10 horsepower.
• Sailboards (or windsurfers), kiteboards, paddleboards, belly boats, and float tubes.

To title a boat, you must file electronically with the Clerk of Courts or in person at your local county title office. As of 2024, watercraft titles cost $15.00, and you are responsible for any additional taxes or fees.

What are the fees for boat registration in Ohio?

In Ohio, boat registration fees depend on the type of boat, its length, and its propulsion. The fees are as follows:

Motorized Vessels

• Less than 16 feet or any motorized canoe: $33
• 16 feet to less than 26 feet: $48
• 26 feet to less than 40 feet: $63
• 40 feet to less than 65 feet: $78
• 65 feet or longer: $93

Sailboats

• Sailboats less than 16ft: $38
• Sailboats between 16ft and less than 26ft: $53
• Sailboats between 26ft and less than 40ft: $68
• Sailboats between 40ft and less than 65ft: $83
• Sailboats 65ft and above: $98

Hand-powered Vessels (any length canoe, kayak, rowboat, inflatable, racing shell, rowing scull, or pedal boat)

• Traditional registration (two decals, OH numbers required): $20
• Alternative registration (one decal, no OH numbers required): $25

These fees cover an Ohio boat registration certificate for three years. Every registration certificate expires on March 1 in the third year, after which you will need to renew your registration.

Boat Trailer Registration Fees

Boat trailers in Ohio must be registered with the Ohio Bureau of Public Safety, and the registration fee depends on the trailer's weight. The fee ranges from $12 to $49. Titles are required for boat trailers that weigh more than 4,000 pounds (boat and trailer combined), and the titles must be transferred when the trailer is bought or sold.

Frequently asked questions