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An official website of the State of Leonida

Outdoors

Boating permits

Register a vessel, get your boater education card and apply for marine sanctuary permits.

Run by State Parks
CostFrom $18 a year
Processing timeDecals mailed within 2 weeks
Ways to do itOnlineIn person

01About this service

About this service

Register a boat, get your boater education card and apply for a marine sanctuary permit.

Every motorized vessel and every sailboat over 16 feet must be registered in Leonida. Boaters born after 1990 also need a boater education card, earned after a free online course.

Who it’s for

  • Owners of a motorboat, jet ski or sailboat over 16 feet
  • Boat operators born on or after January 1, 1990
  • Divers, anglers and tour operators in the Keys marine sanctuary

02How it works

3 steps, start to finish.

  1. Step 1: Take the boater course

    The free online course takes about three hours and ends with a 50-question test. Your card is valid for life.

  2. Step 2: Register the vessel

    Enter the hull identification number, the engine details and the place where the boat is kept.

  3. Step 3: Display your decals

    Put the registration number and the yearly decal on both sides of the bow, readable from the water.

03What to prepare

Have these ready.

  • The hull identification number (HIN)
  • Proof of ownership: bill of sale or previous registration
  • A Leonida driver license or ID

Ways to do it

  • Online

    Renewals, the boater course and sanctuary permits.

  • In person

    First registrations, at any county tax collector office or park marina.

Online services are open around the clock. Keep the confirmation you receive: it is your proof of filing.

04Questions

Frequently asked questions

05Run by

Who runs this service

Questions about your case? State Parks can help.

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