MD boat dealer bonds.
From $100. Enter your amount.

Maryland licenses boat dealers through the Department of Natural Resources, and the license is conditioned on a surety bond. New dealers post $20,000 the first year; after that DNR sizes the bond to your prior-year sales. The premium is 1% of the bond amount, $100 minimum — your exact price appears in the on-page calculator, and the application collects no credit information.

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Filed with the Maryland Department of Natural Resources for a boat dealer license

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$20,000 the first license year — then DNR re-sizes it from your prior 12 months of sales

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1% of the bond amount, $100 minimum — enter your required amount and see your exact price at application

1% rate$100 minimum, by bond amountNo SSNin the applicationFastinstant underwriting

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How it works

Apply to filed in one sitting.

No underwriting queue for the standard boat dealer bond — enter your amount, pay, and file with DNR. Here is the whole thing:

TODAY · ONLINE

Apply online

Your business details, the bond amount ($20,000 for new dealers, or DNR's figure on renewal), your DNR account number, and the effective date.

INSTANTLY

Issued on the spot

No waiting — the executed bond is generated as soon as you pay for most applicants. Larger amounts may get a quick review.

SAME DAY

File with DNR

Submit the executed bond with your boat dealer license application or renewal. Wet-ink originals mailed whenever DNR insists.

About this bond

What it is and who needs it.

What the boat dealer bond covers

Maryland boat dealers are licensed by the Department of Natural Resources under the State Boat Act. Dealers collect the 5% vessel excise tax on the boats they sell and remit it to DNR — so the license is conditioned on a surety bond that guarantees those collected taxes and fees actually reach the State.

First-year dealers post a $20,000 bond. On renewal, DNR reviews your prior twelve months of sales and sets the bond amount accordingly — higher sales, higher bond. The figure is on your renewal paperwork.

The bond stands behind the excise tax and titling fees you collect — if you fail to remit, DNR can recover against it, and if the surety pays, you repay the surety. It's not insurance for you; it's the State's assurance that the tax it's owed on every vessel you sell is backed.

Natural Resources Article (State Boat Act); DNR Boat Dealer ManualMaryland boat dealers are licensed by the Department of Natural Resources, which collects a 5% vessel excise tax under Natural Resources Article §8-716. Per DNR's Boat Dealer Manual, the surety bond is $20,000 for a dealer's first license year, and DNR re-sizes it in later years from a review of the prior twelve months of sales. Confirm your renewal amount on your DNR paperwork.

You need this bond if you are

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Applying for a Maryland boat dealer license — post the $20,000 first-year bond

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Renewing a boat dealer license at the amount DNR set from your sales review

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A marina or yacht broker that sells vessels and collects excise tax

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Adding a Maryland location to an existing marine sales operation

One application, issued on the spot.

Submit the application with your bond amount and DNR account number — the executed bond is generated instantly, ready to file.

Start the application →

FAQ

Common questions.

How much is the Maryland boat dealer bond?The premium is 1% of the bond amount, with a $100 minimum. On renewal, DNR sets the amount from your prior-year sales; enter that figure and your exact price appears at the application.

Why $20,000 for new dealers?DNR requires a $20,000 bond for a dealer's first license year because there's no sales history yet. After your first year, DNR reviews your sales and re-sizes the bond.

What does the bond guarantee?That you collect and remit the 5% vessel excise tax and titling fees on the boats you sell. If you fail to, DNR can recover against the bond — and if the surety pays, you repay the surety.

Is there a credit check?The application collects no credit information, and most applications approve instantly. If a check is ever run — more likely at larger bond amounts — it is a soft pull that never affects your credit score.

What amount should I enter on renewal?Use the figure DNR set from your prior-year sales review — it is on your renewal paperwork. If you do not have it yet, send us your sales volume and we will confirm.

Related bonds

Other Maryland bonds.

Boat dealer bond, issued today.

Pricing from $100. New dealers start at $20,000 — file with DNR the same day.

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Your premiumfrom $100

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