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Homemade Boat, Old Boat Never Registered, and Sojourner Boat Registrations

To continually strive to improve our customer service, we have implemented ways for specialized boat transactions to be processed.  Specialized boat transactions include: (1) homemade boats, (2) old boats that have never been registered, and (3) sojourner boat registrations. View our Specialized Transactions Processing Options publication for options that provide you with the flexibility to meet your needs and avoid wait times in our lobbies. More information on these specialized transactions can be found below.

Homemade Boat

The following must be submitted in order to title and register a Homemade Boat. 

A copy of the applicant’s valid, unexpired identification (State-issued driver license/ID card or passport from any country), along with: 

If you are the builder:

  • HSMV Form 87002 (Statement of Builder)
  • HSMV 82040 VS, properly completed
  • Proof of Sales Tax Paid or Exemption Information

If purchased from the builder (in addition to the items listed above):

  • A Notarized (or perjury clause) Bill of Sale must also be completed 

Old Boat Never Registered

What qualifies as an Old Boat Never Registered?  Manufactured boats (not homemade) that are at least 5 years old that were previously exempt from titling requirements due to (1) previously being used exclusively on a private lake or pond, or (2) previously non-motorized and less than 16 feet in length.
 
What is required to title and register my Old Boat Never Registered? 


If ownership is not changing: 

  1. A copy of the applicant’s valid, unexpired identification (State-issued driver license/ID card or passport from any country)
  2. HSMV 82040 VS, properly completed
  3. Affidavit (signed by the owner) explaining why the boat was never previously registered.
  4. One of the following concerning the hull ID number:
    1. A legible pencil tracing (signed by the owner) of the hull ID number on tracing paper.
    2. If the hull number cannot be located, contact the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) at 863.648.3200; the boat will need to be inspected by FWC.
  5. Sales tax will be due, unless proof of sales tax paid or exemption information is provided.
    Note: If you have paid sales tax but cannot provide proof you can sign a properly completed Miscellaneous Affidavit attesting to the fact that sales tax has already been paid on the boat. The following verbiage would be entered into the “Other” line item on the affidavit:
    “I (We) hereby certify that all applicable sales tax has been paid on the boat described above.”

If ownership is changing: 

  1. A copy of the applicant’s valid, unexpired identification (State-issued driver license/ID card or passport from any country)
  2. HSMV 82040 VS, properly completed
  3. Affidavit (signed by the seller) explaining why the boat was never previously registered.
  4. Affidavit (signed by the purchaser) explaining why the boat is now being titled and registered.
  5. One of the following concerning the hull ID number:
    1. A legible pencil tracing (signed by the seller or purchaser) of the hull ID number on tracing paper.
    2. If the hull number cannot be located, contact the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) at 863.648.3200; the boat will need to be inspected by FWC.
  6. Notarized (or perjury clause) bill of sale.
  7. Sales tax will be due, unless proof of sales tax paid or exemption information is provided.

Sojourner Boat Registration

What is a Sojourner Boat Registration? 
An individual who brings their out-of-state/country registered boat into Florida and operates the boat on Florida waterways is allowed to do so for only 90 days without obtaining a Florida registration/decal.  Once they have resided in Florida for more than 90 days, they must either title/register the boat (if they are going to live in Florida permanently) or purchase a sojourner registration (if they plan on taking the boat back to their home state/country in the future).
 
What is required to obtain a Sojourner Boat Registration? 
In order to obtain a Sojourner Boat Registration, you will need to provide the following: 

  1. A copy of the applicant’s valid, unexpired identification (State-issued driver license/ID card or passport from any country)
  2. A copy of the out-of-state/country registration (showing the boat details, out-of-state/country #, and owner names).
  3. Application for Non-Titled Boat form HSMV 87244.