Registrations and Excise Tax

Vehicles, Excise, Boat, ATV, Snowmobile, Personal Watercraft Registrations

The Town of Freeport is a full service agent for the State of Maine for the purpose of issuing New Registrations and transfers for vehicles. This enables residents to get their vehicle registrations and plates at the Town Hall without going to the BMV. 

The following vehicles must be registered and excised at the Finance Office: Motor Vehicles, Registration of Boats, Registration of ATV's, snowmobiles. 

Re-registrations: Bring in the following paperwork-

  • Current or expired registration (yellow form)
  • Current proof of insurance (with good expiration date on card); and
  • Current odometer reading.
  • You may also renew registrations online HERE.

New Vehicle Registrations: Bring in the following paperwork-

If purchased from a Maine Dealer: Window sticker (required for ALL new car purchases), Title Application, Sales Tax form Current proof of insurance (with good expiration date on card) 

If purchased from a private sale: Bill of sale, previous owner title, and current proof of insurance. Title Application and Sales Tax Form will be given to you by the clerk. You must fill these out before completing the transaction. You will be charged $33 for the Title application and 5.5% of the purchase price of the vehicle. 

If previously registered out-of-state: Bring in the following- Out of state title or Lien Holder's Name and Address, Out of state registration, current proof of insurance from State of Maine, and proof of Maine residency. Proof of residency will be required.

NOTE: If a vehicle is sold or traded, the plates and registration should be retained. It may be advantageous to transfer the plates and excise credit when registering a new vehicle. The clerk will help you calculate the better option. There are NO CASH REFUNDS on unused excise tax for retired vehicles.

For Excise Tax information from Maine Revenue Services, please click HERE.
State statues govern collection of excise tax and registrations.

Reports for the registrations are filed weekly with the Bureau of Motor Vehicles, balanced with collections and funds are forwarded to the State.

Boat, ATV, Snowmobile, Personal Watercraft Registration

Recreational Vehicle Registrations may be completed online at the State's Inland Fisheries and Wildlife website.

Please visit HERE to register your ATV or Snowmobile.

Please visit HERE to register your Boat or Watercraft.

Excise Tax on Some Boats:  State of Maine law requires boat owners (who keep their boats in the water more than 75 consecutive days) to pay an excise tax on that boat. This includes federally documented vessels. Please contact the Harbor Master regarding boat questions and the Finance Department regarding excise tax questions. Excise tax is due no later than July 1st to the Town in which you reside or keep your boat.


If you have questions, just call one of our Clerks, at (207) 865-4743 ext 6 or email at rhayslip@freeportmaine.com.