Quick answer
In Montana, registration is required for: All motorboats, personal watercraft, and sailboats 12 feet or longer used on Montana waters. Registration is handled by the Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP), is valid for Permanent (one-time fee; no validation decals required starting 2025), and fees are summarized as $65.50 to $295.50; purchase tax or local add-ons may still apply.
Official source: Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP) · Source status: Verified · Last checked in site data: June 23, 2026 · All official state agencies
Montana Registration Guides
Use these Montana-specific guides for renewal, title, tax, non-resident, vessel-type, and paperwork questions that need more detail than the state overview.
- Montana Boat Title Transfer: County Treasurer, Title Fee & Registration (2026)
- Montana Boat Sales Tax: No State Sales Tax, Fees & AIS Costs (2026)
- Montana Nonresident Boating: 90-Day Rule, AIS Pass & Inspections (2026)
- Montana Boat Without a Title: County Treasurer Proof Steps (2026)
- Montana Kayak Registration: Exemptions, AIS Pass & Motor Rules (2026)
- Montana Jet Ski & PWC Laws: Registration, Age Rules & AIS Pass (2026)
Vessel Types & Exemptions
In Montana, registration is required for: All motorboats, personal watercraft, and sailboats 12 feet or longer used on Montana waters. There are 3 categories of exempt vessels.
Registration is required for: All motorboats, personal watercraft, and sailboats 12 feet or longer used on Montana waters
Exempt from registration:
- Manually propelled boats (canoes, kayaks, rowboats)
- Non-motorized sailboats under 12 feet
- Non-residents with valid home-state registration for up to 90 consecutive days
Registration Fees & Costs
Montana boat registration fees can depend on vessel length, type, and other agency rules. Current state data summarizes them as $65.50 to $295.50. Sales/use tax: 0% sales tax. Title fee information: $10.00.
| Vessel Class | Reg. Fee | Total |
|---|---|---|
| < 16 ft (motorboat/PWC/motorized pontoon; one-time) | $65.50 | $65.50 |
| 16 ft to under 19 ft (motorboat/pontoon/sailboat; PWC 16+ ft; one-time) | $125.50 | $125.50 |
| 19+ ft (motorboat/pontoon/sailboat; one-time) | $295.50 | $295.50 |
Sales Tax: 0% sales tax
Title Fee: $10.00
How to Register Your Boat in Montana
To register a boat in Montana, follow the Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP) process and complete registration before operating on public waters. Online registration is available. Registration is valid for Permanent (one-time fee; no validation decals required starting 2025).
Registration can be completed:
- Online services: Use the Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP) portal for services the agency lists online; original documents may still be required for title or ownership transactions.
- In Person: At your local Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP) 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
Montana Boat Title & Title Transfer
Montana title rules: Most motorboats, personal watercraft, and sailboats 12 feet or longer. Title application fee: $10.00. Title transfer fee: $10.00.
Title required: Yes — Most motorboats, personal watercraft, and sailboats 12 feet or longer
Title application fee: $10.00
Title transfer fee: $10.00
Documents to Check for Title or Ownership Transfer
- Certificate of Ownership or prior ownership document when available
- Bill of sale with vessel and buyer/seller details
- Hull Identification Number information
- Valid photo ID
For state-specific paperwork, see Montana Boat Title Transfer: County Treasurer, Title Fee & Registration (2026). For the national process, see our Boat Title Transfer Guide.
Buying or Selling a Boat in Montana
If you are selling a boat in Montana, give the buyer a signed bill of sale, current registration records, and any title or ownership documents required by the Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP). 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 MT |
|---|---|
| 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 | Most motorboats, personal watercraft, and sailboats 12 feet or longer. Title transfer: $10.00. |
| Tax | 0% sales tax may apply. |
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.
Montana Boat Registration Renewal
Validity period: Permanent (one-time fee; no validation decals required starting 2025)
Montana boat registration renewal follows the same agency channel as initial registration. Online renewal or online registration services are listed as available in current MT state data. Renew before the expiration date to avoid operating with expired registration.
For more details, see our Boat Registration Renewal Guide.
Boater Safety Education Requirements
Montana requires a boater safety course. Operators aged 13-14 of motorboats or PWC with motors greater than 10 HP must complete an approved course (or be accompanied by an adult 18+). The minimum age to operate a vessel is 13.
Required: Yes
Who must complete it: Operators aged 13-14 of motorboats or PWC with motors greater than 10 HP must complete an approved course (or be accompanied by an adult 18+)
Accepted courses: Montana FWP courses, NASBLA-approved online providers
Course cost: Varies by provider
Minimum age to operate: 13 years old
Registration Number Display Rules
Number format: MT 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: FWP says Montana boats are no longer required to have validation decals on the vessel
For federal rules on registration number display, see our Number Display Rules Guide.
How Montana Compares to Neighboring States
| State | Min. Fee | Validity | Title Req. | Sales Tax |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Montana | $65.50 | Permanent (one-time fee; no validation decals required starting 2025) | Yes | 0% sales tax |
| Idaho | $31.50 | 1 year (expires December 31) | Yes | 6% state sales/use tax base; local-option tax or exemptions may affect the final transaction |
| North Dakota | $45.00 | 3 years (2026-2028 cycle) | No | 5% North Dakota sales/use tax may apply to boat purchases; confirm taxable value and filing requirements with the state before purchase or registration |
| South Dakota | $18.00 | 1 year | Yes | 4.5% South Dakota sales/use tax may apply; confirm local, county treasurer, and filing-specific charges before payment |
| Wyoming | $40.00 | 1 year or 3 years | Yes | Wyoming state and local sales/use tax proof may be required before county title and WGFD registration are complete |
Montana Boat Registration FAQ
How much does it cost to register a boat in Montana?
Do I need a title for my boat in Montana?
Is boater education required in Montana?
What is the AIS Prevention Pass?
Can non-residents operate boats in Montana?
Does Montana have sales tax on boats?
Start Your Registration
Ready to register your boat in Montana? Visit the official Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP) website or use our tools to estimate costs.
Related Resources
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 Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP) at 406-444-2535 for the most current information.