Florida Non-Resident Boating: 90-Day Rule, Sojourner Registration and Temporary Certificate (2026)

Quick Answer

If you intend to use a vessel in Florida for more than 90 days, FLHSMV says you must register it through a county tax collector or license plate agent. FLHSMV also keeps a sojourner registration process in its vessel procedures manual for non-resident and alien applicants.

If you were born on or after January 1, 1988 and operate a motorized vessel with 10 horsepower or more, Florida also expects you to carry a boating safety education card or accepted equivalent. Visitors can use a Florida temporary certificate while they complete the course path.

This page is the visitor version of the rule set. For the state-wide registration overview, see our Florida Boat Registration guide.

The 90-Day Rule

The simple version is: if you plan to keep using the vessel in Florida beyond 90 days, do not treat out-of-state paperwork as enough by itself.

FLHSMV's own vessel FAQ is the key source for the 90-day threshold. The procedure manual then shows the sojourner registration path for applicants who are not becoming Florida residents.

Sojourner Registration

Florida's vessel procedures manual, VSRS-09, lists sojourner registration for non-resident and alien applicants. The manual points to Form HSMV 87244 and the county tax collector office as the filing point.

Use this path when you need a Florida registration but you are not switching to full Florida residency. Keep the application and supporting papers together, and confirm the county office checklist before you go.

What Visitors Should Carry

Vessel papers: Current registration or title documents for the boat you are using.

Photo ID: Required for rental and many registration transactions.

Boating safety credential: If you were born on or after January 1, 1988 and are operating a motorized vessel with 10 horsepower or more.

Temporary certificate: Available through FWC while you complete the education requirement path.

Registration certificate: Keep it on board once the vessel is registered in Florida.

Renting a Boat or PWC

If you are renting, the same education rule still matters. Florida accepts a NASBLA-approved card from another state or a Florida temporary certificate. The temporary certificate is valid for 90 days.

For PWC rentals, also review our Florida Jet Ski & PWC Laws guide before you go to the dock.

Common Mistakes

1. Assuming home-state paperwork is enough forever: Florida says the 90-day threshold matters if you intend to use the vessel here longer term.

2. Forgetting the safety card: A nonresident still needs the boating safety credential or accepted equivalent when operating a qualifying motorized vessel.

3. Missing the sojourner paperwork: If you are staying longer, use the county office and the FLHSMV form the procedure manual points to.

4. Confusing visitor rules with kayak rules: Non-motorized kayaks and canoes follow separate title and registration rules.