Requirements
All sailboats, powerboats and hired boats must have registration in Alabama if they are operated in the state and not temporarily in the state from another state or country. Temporary use is considered a period less than 90 days.
Exclusions
Some boats are excluded from registration in Alabama, including ship lifeboats and paddle boats. You do not need to register a boat trailer.
Cost
Boat registration in Alabama can cost as little as $20 or as much as $100, depending on boat classification. Boats are classified in one of four categories by measuring their length. Class I boats are the smallest at less than 16 feet long. Class IV are the largest, with measurements exceeding 40 feet.
Considerations
Place your boat registration number on the sides of the boat in bold 3-inch numbers. It must be easily seen and discernible.
Time Frame
A new boat must be registered within three days of its purchase. Used boats should be registered with 15 days of purchase. Renewal dates are based upon the first letter of the last name of the boat owner, with each alphabetic letter corresponding to a registration month.
