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How to Register a Boat or Water Craft in Nebraska

Updated on Fri, 6/3/2011

Most new boats must be registered through the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission before they can be sailed.

VESSELS THAT REQUIRE REGISTRATION

Any vessel that is powered by a mechanical device falls under the purview of the registration law and they must be registered before use on any of the public or private waters within the state (including the Missouri River and the Lewis and Clark Lake).

VESSELS THAT DO NOT REQUIRE REGISTRATION

  1. Boats that are not motorized.
  2. Motorized boats registered in another state but used in Nebraska for less than 60 consecutive days.
  3. Motorboats used for competitions recognized by the state, while in competition and during trial runs 48 hours before or the same after a race.
  4. Government owned motorboats or those belonging to a political sub-division.
  5. Vessels documented by the Coast Guard.

TO REGISTER IN PERSON

  • You can register a boat in person by visiting your local county office.
  • The completed application (available at all county offices, most hunting and fishing permit vendors, boat dealers, and Game and Parks Commission offices) along with the requisite fees needs to be submitted to the county treasurer of the respective local county's.
  • Out of state applicants can submit the registration application to any of the county offices.

TO REGISTER BY U.S. MAIL

The boat registration application and the required fees can be mailed to the county treasurer of your county of residence.

FEES

Boat registration fees range from $20 to $100, depending on the size class of the boat. Vessels are demarcated into five different size classes.
  • Class 1 (Vessels less than 16 feet in length and all canoes) - $23.00 plus $4 issuing fees.
  • Class 2 (Vessels more than16 feet and less than 26 feet in length) - $46.00 plus $4 issuing fees.
  • Class 3 (Vessels more than 26 feet but less than 40 feet in length) - $67.50 plus $4 issuing fees.
  • Class 4 (All vessels more than 40 feet in length) - $115 plus $4 issuing fees.
  • Class 5 (Dealers or manufacturers of motorboats for the purpose of demonstration or testing) - $46.00 plus $4 issuing fees.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

  • Boat registrations in Nebraska have 3 year validity.
  • Registration renewals can be done online.
  • For any further queries please call (402) 471-0641 or mail to: 
    Nebraska Game and Parks Commission
2200 North 33rd St.
PO Box 30370
Lincoln, NE 68503-0370