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Boat and Watercraft Licenses
Registrations expire annually on April 30. This applies to Boats, Jet skis, Canoes, Kayaks, Inflatable vessels, etc. Renewals are accepted any time between January 1 - April 30. The registration is valid from May 1- April 30. A late fee of $5 will be charged for late renewals beginning July 1.
Registration Applications for Boats, Snowmobiles, and ATVs can be downloaded here.
Registration renewals can be done in person or by mail*.
Black Hawk County Recorder's Office
316 E. 5th Street, Rm 208
Waterloo, IA 50703
*If renewing by mail please add $2.00 per item requested for postage.
Boat Registration Fees
Type of Transaction |
License Fee 1/1/25-4/30/26 |
License Fee 5/1/26 -4/30/27 |
License Fee 5/1/27 -12/31/27 |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Boat or Reactivate - Documented Vessel | $30.65 | $22.25 | $13.95 |
| Renew Registration - Documented Vessel | $30.65 | $30.65 | $30.65 |
| New Boat or Reactivate - All personal watercraft | $50.65 | $35.65 | $20.65 |
| Renew Registration - All personal watercraft | $50.65 | $50.65 | $50.65 |
| New Boat or Reactive- Any length, without motor or sail | $17.65 | $13.65 | $9.65 |
| Renew Registration - Any length, without motor or sail | $17.65 | $17.65 | $17.65 |
| New Boat or Reactivate - Less than 16 ft (Motor/Sail) | $28.15 | $20.65 | $13.15 |
| Renew Registration - Less than 16ft (Motor/Sail) | $28.15 | $28.15 | $28.15 |
| New Boat or Reactivate - 16 ft to under 26 ft (Motor/Sail) | $41.65 | $29.65 | $17.65 |
| Renew Registration - 16 ft to under 26 ft (Motor/Sail) | $41.65 | $41.65 | $41.65 |
| New Boat or Reactivate - 26 ft to under 40 ft (Motor/Sail) | $80.65 | $55.65 | $30.65 |
| 80.65Renew Registration - 26 ft to under 40 ft (Motor/Sail) | $80.65 | $80.65 | $80.65 |
| New Boat or Reactivate - 40 ft and over (Motor/Sail) | $155.65 | $105.65 | $55.65 |
| Renew Registration - 40 ft and over (Motor/Sail) | $155.65 | $155.65 | $155.65 |
| Boat Title (Applies to any boat 17 ft or longer) | $13.50 | $13.50 | $13.50 |
| Boat Lien (Applies to any boat 17 ft or longer) | $13.50 | $13.50 | $13.50 |
New and/or Transferred Vessels:
New and/or transferred vessels are registered* in Black Hawk County. Boat registrations expire on April 30, and are valid for 3 years. Boat fees are based on the length of the boat. All boats over 17' in length (except canoes and kayaks) require a title. All boats with a lien must be titled.
Items needed when transferring a boat:
- Bill of sale
- The most current registration signed by the seller
- Manufacturer's Statement of Origin or Title, Signed by the seller
*Please note:
Before registering a recreational vehicle or vessel, you must provide a receipt, bill of sale, or other proof that sales/use tax has been paid. Sales are subject to 7% sales tax if purchased in Iowa, and 6% use tax if purchased out of state.
This information is provided by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources and is subject to change. For the latest updates, please visit the Iowa DNR website. If you have any questions, contact the County Recorder's Office at 319-833-3012 or the Iowa Department of Natural Resources at 515-281-5918.
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