How to Register a Boat Trailer in Florida

A party who wants to register a boat trailer in Florida can do so at a county tax collector or license plate office. Sometimes a party can register a boat trailer at another type of business or at a landfill office. These offices will issue a registration based on the empty weight of the trailer. A trailer over 2,000 pounds must be titled.

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To title a used trailer over 2,000 pounds, a party will need a notarized bill of sale and copy of the previous registration. If the registration is not available, the party must have the trailer weighed. Florida counties have weigh stations to facilitate this step. To title a new trailer, the dealer will provide a Manufacturer’s Statement of Origin (MSO) or Manufacturer’s Certificate of Origin (MCO).

The dealer will also provide a sales tax statement showing the description of the trailer. This document will include the empty weight and payment of sales tax. A party needs a valid driver’s license or identification card, or a U.S. or foreign passport to notarize a signature.

​Read More:​ How to Register an Untitled Trailer in Florida

An owner has the option to register a boat trailer for one year at a time or two years at a time. A party who buys a new or used boat trailer has 30 days to title and register the trailer. During the 30-day period, the owner must carry proof of the date of purchase while he is using the trailer. A trailer’s registration expires at midnight on the owner’s birthday if owned by an individual, or midnight on June 30 if owned by a company.

To renew in person, a party must bring with him the registration or renewal notice. He can also bring in a valid driver’s license, identification card or a U.S. or foreign passport.

A party can register an out-of-state trailer with a bill of sale, an out-of-state title signed by the seller or registration and a state-issued photo ID. The party also needs a weight slip if the empty or net weight is not indicated on the title or registration. If the trailer was previously titled in a non-titled or non-registered state, the bill of sale must include the year, make and trailer identification number (TIN). It must also identify the state where the trailer was previously located.

When a certified weight slip is required, an office may issue a temporary license plate so the party can legally take the trailer to be weighed.

A homemade trailer is a trailer built from parts a party bought or owned at the time of construction. To register a homemade trailer, a party will need to provide the year she built the trailer, a certified weight slip and a state-issued photo ID. If the trailer is 2,000 pounds or less, the computer will generate a TIN. The party should die cut or affix the number to the trailer.

If a trailer is over 2,000 pounds, a party can make an appointment with the Florida Division of Motorist Services. After the department inspects the trailer, a compliance examiner will assign and affix a TIN.

A party who is vacationing in Florida for 90 days or less does not need to register and title a boat trailer. Florida recognizes valid registration certificates and numbers issued to visiting boaters for 90 days or less. A party who stays in Florida over 90 days and registers his boat trailer may retain his out-of-state registration number if he plans to return to his home state within a reasonable period of time.

​Read More:​ Florida State Boat Trailer Laws