Boat Registration
General Boat Information
Alabama requires registration of mechanically propelled vessels (boats), sailboats, and boats for hire (not canoes). Most boat owners may register, renew or transfer boat ownership at any Tuscaloosa County License Commission location.
Timeframe to Register a Boat
There is no grace period to operate a boat on the water prior to registration. Boats must be properly registered to be operated on Alabama waterways.
Registration Requirements
- A bill of sale is required for all vessel purchases. If a bill of sale cannot be provided, a court order is required to verify ownership.
- The title or manufacturer’s statement/certificate of origin is also required when applicable.
- If the vessel is currently (or ever has been) registered, whether in Alabama or another state, be sure to bring a copy of the most recent registration if possible.
Boat Registration Fees
Annual registration fees for vessels are based on the length of the vessel and are not prorated for partial year registration. No ad valorem tax is assessed on vessels, and there are no late penalties for the late registration or renewal of a vessel.
- When transferring ownership of a vessel with a valid Alabama registration decal, the initial transfer fee will be $5.00, plus any applicable sales tax.
- If the vessel has been previously registered in Alabama, but the registration has expired, a $5.00 transfer fee, plus the registration fee, plus applicable sales tax will apply.
- When registering a vessel in Alabama for the first time, the yearly registration fee, plus any applicable sales tax will be due. A new Alabama registration number will be assigned upon registration.
- An Alabama State Reservoir Management fee of $5.00 will be due for all new/first-time registrations, renewals, and transfer/renewals.
Description | Registration Fee | Reservoir Mgmt Fee | Total* |
|---|---|---|---|
Less Than 16 Feet Long | $20 | $5 | $25 |
16 feet and longer, but less than 26 feet | $25 | $5 | $30 |
26 feet and longer, but less than 40 feet | $75 | $5 | $80 |
40 feet and longer | $100 | $5 | $105 |
Transfer Only** | $5 | N/A | $5 |
Replace Decal | $5 | N/A | $5 |
Duplicate Registration | $5 | N/A | $5 |
* The totals contained in this table do not include any sales/use tax that may be due.
** For transfer/renew transactions, the total amount due will include the $5.00 transfer fee, plus the registration fee (based on the length), plus the $5.00 reservoir management fee, plus any applicable sales tax.
Boat Registration Rules & Regulations
The Alabama Marine Patrol is responsible for the promulgation and enforcement of all boating regulations. Additional boating information can be found online at its website.
Where to Register & Renew
Dealers and liveries (rental) must process all boat transactions directly through the Alabama Marine Patrol in Montgomery, Alabama. Contact the Marine Patrol at (800) 272-7930 or marinepatrol@alea.gov for further instructions.
All other types of boat transactions (first-time registrations, transfers, replacements, renewals, and duplicate registrations) may be processed with the Tuscaloosa County License Commission.
The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency offers online renewals only for boat registrations through its Boat Registration Renewal portal. If you renew online, you will not receive a renewal notice from the Tuscaloosa County License Commission for the next year (because the renewal will not be in our local registration system).
Vessel Operator Licenses
For information concerning licenses to operate vessels, please visit the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency’s website. If you have any questions regarding boat registration in Tuscaloosa County, please call (205) 464-8233.
Timeframe to Register Boat
There is no grace period to operate a boat on the water prior to registration. Boats must be properly registered to be operated on Alabama waterways.
Registration Requirements
- A bill of sale is required for all vessel purchases. If a bill of sale cannot be provided, a court order is required to verify ownership.
- The title or manufacturer’s statement/certificate of origin is also required when applicable.
- If the vessel is currently (or ever has been) registered, whether in Alabama or another state, be sure to bring a copy of the most recent registration if possible.
Boat Registration Fees
Annual registration fees for vessels are based on the length of the vessel and are not prorated for partial year registration. No ad valorem tax is assessed on vessels, and there are no late penalties for the late registration or renewal of a vessel.
- When transferring ownership of a vessel with a valid Alabama registration decal, the initial transfer fee will be $5.00, plus any applicable sales tax.
- If the vessel has been previously registered in Alabama, but the registration has expired, a $5.00 transfer fee, plus the registration fee, plus applicable sales tax will apply.
- When registering a vessel in Alabama for the first time, the yearly registration fee, plus any applicable sales tax will be due. A new Alabama registration number will be assigned upon registration.
- An Alabama State Reservoir Management fee of $5.00 will be due for all new/first-time registrations, renewals, and transfer/renewals.
Description | Registration Fee | Reservoir Mgmt Fee | Total* |
|---|---|---|---|
Less Than 16 Feet Long | $20 | $5 | $25 |
16 feet and longer, but less than 26 feet | $25 | $5 | $30 |
26 feet and longer, but less than 40 feet | $75 | $5 | $80 |
40 feet and longer | $100 | $5 | $105 |
Transfer Only** | $5 | N/A | $5 |
Replace Decal | $5 | N/A | $5 |
Duplicate Registration | $5 | N/A | $5 |
* The totals contained in this table do not include any sales/use tax that may be due.
** For transfer/renew transactions, the total amount due will include the $5.00 transfer fee, plus the registration fee (based on the length), plus the $5.00 reservoir management fee, plus any applicable sales tax.
Where to Register and Renew
Dealers and liveries (rental) must process all boat transactions directly through the Alabama Marine Patrol in Montgomery, Alabama. Contact the Marine Patrol at (800) 272-7930 or marinepatrol@alea.gov for further instructions.
All other types of boat transactions (first-time registrations, transfers, replacements, renewals, and duplicate registrations) may be processed with the Tuscaloosa County License Commission.
The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency offers online renewals only for boat registrations through its Boat Registration Renewal portal. If you renew online, you will not receive a renewal notice from the Tuscaloosa County License Commission for the next year (because the renewal will not be in our local registration system).
Boat Registration Rules & Regulations
The Alabama Marine Patrol is responsible for the promulgation and enforcement of all boating regulations. Additional boating information can be found online at its website.
Vessel Operator Licenses
For information concerning licenses to operate vessels, please visit the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency’s website. If you have any questions regarding boat registration in Tuscaloosa County, please call (205) 464-8233.
Disclaimer: This information is not all-inclusive and is only meant to provide general information regarding licensing and registration requirements in Tuscaloosa County. Please note that changes in the law and directives from the Alabama Department of Revenue can alter, negate, or compound the requirements contained herein.