Quick answer
In Arkansas, registration is required for: All motorboats, including those powered by trolling motors or sails, operating on public waters. Registration is handled by the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration (DFA), is valid for 3 years, and fees are summarized as $7.50 to $105.00; purchase tax or local add-ons may still apply.
Official source: Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration (DFA) · Source status: Verified · Last checked in site data: August 10, 2026 · All official state agencies
Arkansas Registration Guides
Use these Arkansas-specific guides for renewal, title, tax, non-resident, vessel-type, and paperwork questions that need more detail than the state overview.
Vessel Types & Exemptions
In Arkansas, registration is required for: All motorboats, including those powered by trolling motors or sails, operating on public waters. There are 3 categories of exempt vessels.
Registration is required for: All motorboats, including those powered by trolling motors or sails, operating on public waters
Exempt from registration:
- Non-motorized vessels not propelled by engine or sail
- Vessels registered in another state used in Arkansas for 90 or fewer consecutive days
- Vessels documented by the U.S. Coast Guard
Registration Fees & Costs
Arkansas boat registration fees can depend on vessel length, type, and other agency rules. Current state data summarizes them as $7.50 to $105.00. Sales/use tax: Sales tax is collected when due; Arkansas does not charge sales tax on casual individual-to-individual boat sales. Title fee information: $10.00.
| Vessel Class | Reg. Fee | Total |
|---|---|---|
| Motorboats < 16 ft | $7.50 | $7.50 |
| Motorboats 16–25 ft | $15.00 | $15.00 |
| Motorboats 26–39 ft | $51.00 | $51.00 |
| Motorboats 40+ ft | $105.00 | $105.00 |
DFA lists three-year motorboat registration fees and says replacement registrations are $1.00. Sales tax treatment depends on the sale type.
Sales Tax: Sales tax is collected when due; Arkansas does not charge sales tax on casual individual-to-individual boat sales
Title Fee: $10.00
Duplicate Registration Fee: $1.00
How to Register Your Boat in Arkansas
To register a boat in Arkansas, follow the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration (DFA) process and complete registration within 30 days of purchase. Initial motorboat registration is handled through an Arkansas State Revenue Office; DFA says renewals can be handled by mail or at a State Revenue Office. Registration is valid for 3 years.
Registration can be completed:
- In Person: At your local Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration (DFA) office
- By Mail: Download forms from the official website
Documents to Check Before Filing
- Completed state registration application form, if the official agency requires one
- Ownership evidence such as a bill of sale, Manufacturer's Certificate of Origin (MCO), title, or prior registration
- Valid photo identification when required by the filing office
- Tax or fee payment documentation where applicable
- Hull Identification Number (HIN) details or inspection when requested by the official agency
Arkansas Boat Title & Title Transfer
Arkansas title rules: Boats manufactured in 2020 and after (as of January 1, 2020). Title application fee: $10.00. Title transfer fee: $10.00.
Title required: Yes — Boats manufactured in 2020 and after (as of January 1, 2020)
Title application fee: $10.00
Title transfer fee: $10.00
Documents to Check for Title or Ownership Transfer
- Manufacturer's Certificate of Origin (new vessels)
- Previous title or registration (used vessels)
- Bill of Sale
- Proof of paid property taxes
- Valid photo ID
For a detailed guide on the title transfer process, see our Boat Title Transfer Guide.
Buying or Selling a Boat in Arkansas
If you are selling a boat in Arkansas, give the buyer a signed bill of sale, current registration records, and any title or ownership documents required by the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration (DFA). If you are buying, do not rely on the seller's word alone: match the Hull Identification Number (HIN) on the paperwork to the boat and confirm whether liens or title defects exist before paying.
| Transfer item | What to prepare in AR |
|---|---|
| Seller | Signed bill of sale, current registration, and release of interest. If a title document or electronic title release is required, sign or release it exactly as the agency instructs. |
| Buyer | Photo ID, application, payment for registration fees, tax if due, and proof of ownership. Verify the HIN before filing. |
| Title | Boats manufactured in 2020 and after (as of January 1, 2020). Title transfer: $10.00. |
| Tax | Sales tax is collected when due; Arkansas does not charge sales tax on casual individual-to-individual boat sales. |
Selling or Buying a Boat in Arkansas
For an Arkansas private sale, line up the bill of sale, prior title or registration, HIN details, tax or property documents, and any insurance proof that applies before the buyer visits a State Revenue Office.
| Form | Use it for | Filing note |
|---|---|---|
| DFA motor boat registration page | Start point for Arkansas registration, renewal, replacement, and fee rules | Use it to confirm the current State Revenue Office path before filing |
| Bill of sale | Documents buyer, seller, purchase price, date, and Hull Identification Number | Keep a signed copy with the title or prior registration paperwork |
| Ownership and tax documents | Previous title or registration, property tax proof, and sales-tax paperwork when due | Ask the State Revenue Office which documents apply to the sale type |
Do not assume every Arkansas private sale has the same tax or title path; DFA and the local State Revenue Office control the filing requirements.
For buyer and seller paperwork, use the boat bill of sale template, check how to look for liens, and compare boat title transfer fees by state.
Arkansas Boat Registration Renewal
Validity period: 3 years
Arkansas boat registration renewal follows the same agency channel as initial registration. Initial motorboat registration is handled through an Arkansas State Revenue Office; DFA says renewals can be handled by mail or at a State Revenue Office. Renew before the expiration date to avoid operating with expired registration.
For renewal-specific steps, see Arkansas Boat Registration Renewal: How to Renew, Fees & Checklist (2026). For the national renewal overview, see our Boat Registration Renewal Guide.
Boater Safety Education Requirements
Arkansas requires a boater safety course. Anyone born on or after January 1, 1986, must complete an approved boater education course to operate a motorboat, PWC, or sailboat. The minimum age to operate a vessel is 12.
Required: Yes
Who must complete it: Anyone born on or after January 1, 1986, must complete an approved boater education course to operate a motorboat, PWC, or sailboat
Accepted courses: Arkansas Game and Fish Commission (AGFC) approved courses, Boat Ed, BoaterExam.com
Course cost: Free (AGFC classroom) or paid online providers
Minimum age to operate: 12 years old
Registration Number Display Rules
Number format: AR 1234 AB
Minimum font height: 3 inches minimum
Font style: Block letters, contrasting color to hull
Placement: Both sides of bow, forward half
Sticker placement: On each side of the motorboat, toward the stern of the registration number, 3 inches from and in line with the number
For federal rules on registration number display, see our Number Display Rules Guide.
How Arkansas Compares to Neighboring States
| State | Min. Fee | Validity | Title Req. | Sales Tax |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arkansas | $7.50 | 3 years | Yes | Sales tax is collected when due; Arkansas does not charge sales tax on casual individual-to-individual boat sales |
| Louisiana | $36.00 | 3 years | Yes | Louisiana state sales/use tax base plus local tax or R-1331 proof rules when due |
| Mississippi | $10.99 | 3 years | No | 7% state sales/use tax base when due; proof-of-tax, local tax, or exemption documents may be required depending on the purchase |
| Missouri | $25.00 | 3 years | Yes | 4.225% state sales/use tax base plus applicable local tax when due; personal property tax is separate |
| Oklahoma | $3.25 | 1 year or 3 years (July 1 – June 30) | Yes | Oklahoma boat excise tax and registration fees are based on the state fee schedule, not a flat sales-tax estimate; confirm the final amount with Service Oklahoma |
| Tennessee | $15.86 | 1, 2, or 3 years | No | Tennessee sales/use tax may apply; county clerk, local tax, and single-article rules can affect the final amount |
| Texas | $32.00 | 2 years | Yes | 6.25% sales/use tax; TPWD lists an $18,750 cap for vessels and outboard motors purchased in Texas on or after September 1, 2019 |
Arkansas Boat Registration FAQ
How much does it cost to register a boat in Arkansas?
Do I need a title for my boat in Arkansas?
Is a boating safety course required in Arkansas?
How long is boat registration valid in Arkansas?
Do non-residents need to register boats in Arkansas?
Do I need liability insurance for my boat in Arkansas?
Start Your Registration
Ready to register your boat in Arkansas? Visit the official Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration (DFA) website or use our tools to estimate costs.
Related Resources
- Louisiana Boat Registration
- Mississippi Boat Registration
- Missouri Boat Registration
- Oklahoma Boat Registration
- Tennessee Boat Registration
- Texas Boat Registration
- Compare Registration Costs Across All States
- How to Register a Boat: Step-by-Step Guide
- Boat Title Transfer Guide
- Registration Fee Calculator
This information is provided for reference purposes only. While we strive to keep data accurate and verified for 2026, registration requirements and fees may change. Contact the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration (DFA) at 501-682-4692 for the most current information.