Guide to Arkansas Boat and Trailer Registration Requirements and Fees

You own a boat. You own a trailer. Now you need to figure out the Arkansas boat and trailer registration requirements and fees before you hit the road or the water.

It is not complicated once you know which agency handles which piece of paper. Mixing them up can cost you time and a late fee.

The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission (AGFC) registers boats. The Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration (DFA) handles trailers. As of 2026, boat registration fees range from $5.50 to $45.50 depending on length.

Trailer registration runs about $20 per year plus title fees. Sales tax applies on both. Here is the full breakdown.

Boat decals must be renewed each year by June 30. Trailer plates renew annually on your birthday month. Fees vary by boat length and trailer weight.

Why Getting This Right Matters

Mistakes in registration are not just annoying. They are expensive. If you launch an unregistered boat on an Arkansas lake, game wardens can issue a citation.

The fines quickly dwarf the registration fee. The same goes for towing an unregistered trailer on state roads.

Beyond avoiding tickets, having clean registration makes selling your boat or trailer much easier. A title with your name on it proves ownership and protects your investment. It also keeps your insurance policy valid.

The most common registration errors involve missing titles or incorrect HIN numbers. These errors lead to delays and extra fees.

For general tips on keeping your vehicle in good shape after registration, check out our blog.

The Big Confusion: Who Handles What (AGFC vs. DFA)

This is where most people get tripped up. The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission handles everything related to boat registration. That includes issuing the registration number, decals, and titles for watercraft.

The DFA, through your county revenue office, handles trailers, cars, and other road vehicles.

So if you walk into a DFA office with a boat title, they will send you to the AGFC. And if you try to register a trailer at an AGFC office, you will be redirected. The two systems do not overlap.

What each agency handles:

One exception exists: some county revenue offices are also authorized AGFC agents. You can check the AGFC website for a list of participating locations. But generally, keep boat stuff separate from trailer stuff in your mind.

Who Needs to Register – Boats, Kayaks, PWCs, and Trailers

Not every boat needs registration. And not every trailer needs it either.

Boats that must register in Arkansas:

• Any motorboat (gas or electric) regardless of length
• Any sailboat over 12 feet in length
• Any personal watercraft (Jet Ski, Sea-Doo, WaveRunner)
• Any kayak or canoe with a motor attached
• Any vessel used on Arkansas public waters for more than 60 consecutive days (even if registered elsewhere)

Boats that do NOT need registration:

• Non-motorized kayaks and canoes (no motor)
• Sailboats under 12 feet
• Vessels documented with the US Coast Guard and used exclusively in interstate commerce

Trailers that must register in Arkansas:

• Any trailer used on public roads, including boat trailers, utility trailers, and jet ski trailers
• Homemade trailers (subject to VIN inspection)
• Trailer weight does not exempt it. All trailers need registration.

Trailers that do NOT need registration:

• Very small, non-road-worthy trailers used only on private property
• Trailers under 2,000 pounds GVWR used exclusively for agricultural purposes (limited exemption, check with DFA)

If you are unsure, register it. The fee is low compared to the citation.

Step-by-Step: Registering Your Boat in Arkansas

You can do most of this online through the AGFC. Some steps require mail or in-person visits.

Step 1: Gather your documents

• Title or Manufacturer's Certificate of Origin (MCO) for a new boat
• Bill of sale showing purchase price and date
• Proof of Arkansas residency (driver's license or ID)
• Hull Identification Number (HIN) verification if the boat is homemade or missing a title
• Lien release documents if there was a previous loan

Step 2: Complete the application

Use form 10-381 (Application for Certificate of Title and Registration of Watercraft). You can download it from the AGFC website. Fill in the boat's length, HIN, make, year, and your information.

Step 3: Submit and pay

Submit online via the AGFC e-services portal, by mail, or in person at an AGFC regional office. Fees depend on boat length (see table below). You will also pay state sales tax of 6.5% plus any local county tax (typically 0.5% to 3%).

Step 4: Receive your decals and registration card

Once approved, you will get a registration card and two decals. One decal goes on each side of the bow, within 3 inches of the registration number.

Boat registration fees (annual, as of 2026):

After you register, consider how to keep your boat's exterior clean and protected. Using a proper car wash shampoo prevents damage to the gel coat and decals.

Step-by-Step: Registering a Trailer in Arkansas

Registering a trailer is a DFA process. You will visit your county revenue office. Most steps cannot be done fully online, but you can download forms to save time.

Step 1: Gather documents

• Title (for a used trailer) or Manufacturer's Certificate of Origin (MCO) for a new trailer
• Bill of sale with purchase price
• Proof of Arkansas insurance (you need insurance to get a plate, even for a boat trailer)
• VIN verification if the trailer is homemade or missing a title
• Lien release if applicable

Step 2: Homemade trailer VIN inspection

If your trailer is homemade or has no title, you must get a VIN inspection from a law enforcement officer. This can be a state trooper, sheriff's deputy, or Arkansas State Police commercial vehicle inspector. They verify the trailer's VIN and issue a report.

Bring that report to the county revenue office.

Step 3: Complete application

Use form 10-372 (Application for Certificate of Title and Registration of Vehicle). Fill in trailer weight, type, VIN, and your information.

Step 4: Pay fees

The annual registration fee for a trailer is a flat $20, plus a $1.50 DFA processing fee. Title fee is $10. Sales tax is 6.5% state plus local county tax.

Step 5: Receive plate and registration

You get a license plate immediately at the office. Afix it to the trailer's rear. You will receive a registration card on the spot or in the mail.

Trailer registration fees:

Once your trailer is registered, keep it in good condition. Washing it properly helps prevent rust. Check the recommended PSI for washing cars so you do not damage the paint or decals.

A water spray gun for car wash also makes rinsing easier.

Fee Breakdown – Boats and Trailers

Let us put all fees together so you know exactly what to expect.

Boat fees:

• Annual registration: $5.50 to $45.50
• Title fee: $10.00
• Sales tax: 6.5% state plus local (0.5% to 3%)
• Late renewal penalty: $5.00
• Duplicate decal: $2.50
• Temporary 60-day permit: $5.00

Trailer fees:

• Annual registration: $20.00
• DFA processing fee: $1.50
• Title fee: $10.00
• Sales tax: 6.5% state plus local
• Temporary permit: $5.00

Sales tax applies to the purchase price. If you bought a used boat for $5,000, you will pay around $325 in state tax plus local tax. That part hurts more than the registration fee itself.

Some counties allow you to spread the tax payment over multiple years if the amount is large. Ask at your county revenue office.

Common Pitfalls That Cost You Time and Money

People make the same mistakes over and over. Here is what to watch for.

Lost title or no title. If you bought an old boat without a title, you can still register it, but you need a bonded title process. That takes weeks and costs extra. Always get the title with the sale.

Mismatched HIN or VIN. The number on the boat must match the title and bill of sale exactly. A single digit difference stops the whole process. Double check before you go to the office.

Out-of-state transfer complications. If you moved to Arkansas with a boat from another state, you have 60 days to register it in Arkansas. The out-of-state title must be surrendered. Sometimes the DFA needs to verify the title with the other state, which can take two to three weeks.

Late renewal penalties. Boat registration expires June 30 every year. If you forget, the $5 late fee kicks in. For trailers, you have until the end of your birthday month to renew without penalty.

After that, a different penalty applies depending on how late you are.

For more details on keeping your vehicle paperwork in order, our blog has additional guides for car owners.

Renewal Process and Timing

Boat registration renewal. Boats renew annually and all expire on June 30 regardless of when you registered. So if you registered in March 2025, it expires June 30, 2025. You renew online through the AGFC e-services portal.

Or you can visit an AGFC office or authorized agent. You do not need to bring the boat in, just the registration number and payment.

Trailer renewal. Trailers renew on your birthday month. The expiration date is printed on the plate sticker. Renew online through the DFA MyDMV portal.

Or visit your county revenue office. You need your renewal notice or plate number and insurance information. Some counties offer a three year renewal option for trailers, which saves you a trip.

Online vs. in-person. Online is faster for both. AGFC renewal takes about 5 minutes. DFA renewal is also quick.

But if you have any changes, like a new address or name, you must go in person.

Temporary Permits and Out-of-State Boaters

60-day rule for non-residents. If you boat in Arkansas but live in another state, you can use your boat here for up to 60 consecutive days without registering. After that, you must register with AGFC. This catches a lot of people who bring their boats to Arkansas lakes for the summer.

How to get a temporary operating permit. If you bought a boat and need to use it before the paperwork is complete, you can get a 60-day temporary permit from AGFC for $5. The same applies to trailers, a 60-day permit costs $5 from the DFA. These are perfect for moving the boat from the seller to your home or to the lake while waiting for the title.

Legal Requirements for Display and Documentation

Once registered, you must display the registration correctly.

Boat decals and numbers. The registration number is assigned by AGFC. It looks like AR-1234-AB. You must paint or apply the number on both sides of the bow, using block letters at least three inches high.

The number must read from left to right and contrast with the hull color. The current year decal goes three inches behind the number on both sides. Do not cover or obscure either.

Trailer plate placement. The trailer license plate must be mounted on the rear of the trailer. It must be clearly visible and lit at night. Most boat trailers have a bracket for this.

If yours does not, you need to install one.

Keeping proof of registration onboard. For boats, you must carry the registration card whenever the boat is on the water. A game warden can ask to see it. For trailers, keep the registration card in your vehicle or with the trailer.

A police officer can request it during a traffic stop.

When to Seek Professional or Legal Help

Most of this process is straightforward. But some situations call for expert help.

• VIN verifications for homemade trailers. If your homemade trailer needs a VIN, the inspection must be done by law enforcement. You cannot do this yourself. Call your local Arkansas State Police office to schedule it.
• Lien release problems. If the previous owner still has a loan on the boat or trailer, the title will show a lien. You need a lien release document signed by the lender. Without it, you cannot transfer the title.
• Disputes over ownership. If you bought a boat with a title that does not match the seller, or if there are conflicting signatures, you may need a lawyer. The DFA will not process a title transfer if the paperwork is questionable. A bonded title application is one option, but legal advice is better.

Frequently Asked Questions