If you're visiting Florida from out of state and planning to fish, FWC quietly changed the rules earlier this year and it's catching a lot of tourists by surprise at the boat ramp. Here's what changed, where to actually buy a license now near Jacksonville and St. Augustine, and what to do if you don't have time to wait in line.
The 3-day and 7-day non-resident saltwater fishing licenses are no longer sold online. You can still get them — but only in person at a county tax collector's office. Annual non-resident licenses are still available online. Plan ahead or book a charter.
In March 2026, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) updated its licensing system and removed the option for out-of-state visitors to purchase 3-day and 7-day saltwater fishing licenses through the FWC website or mobile app. According to FWC, the change is intended to "reduce the high volume of short-term license purchases and encourage anglers to buy annual licenses instead."
The practical effect: visitors who used to buy a 7-day license from their phone on the way to the beach now have to drive inland to a county tax collector office, often losing the morning bite waiting for an office to open. Local charter captains have flagged this as a real point of friction for tourists, especially around spring break and summer family-trip season.
Tax collector offices issue Florida fishing licenses on the spot. Bring a photo ID and a method of payment. The closest options if you're staying in the Jacksonville or St. Augustine area:
| County | Office | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Duval (Jacksonville) | Duval County Tax Collector | Multiple branches around Jacksonville. The Yates Branch (Downtown) and Beach Branch (Jax Beach) are typically fastest. Some branches require appointments — check online first. |
| St. Johns (St. Augustine) | St. Johns County Tax Collector | St. Augustine main office on US-1, plus a Ponte Vedra branch. Walk-in service for license purchases. |
| Nassau (Fernandina/Amelia) | Nassau County Tax Collector | Yulee main office, Fernandina Beach branch. Smaller offices, shorter waits. |
| Flagler (Palm Coast) | Flagler County Tax Collector | South of St. Augustine; useful if you're staying around Matanzas or Crescent Beach. |
Verify hours before you go. Most tax collector offices close by 4-5 p.m. and are not open weekends. The website for each office lists current hours. Some offices use appointment systems for ID renewals but allow walk-ins for licenses — confirm before you drive over.
Tax collector pricing matches FWC. As of 2026:
If you'll fish more than two trips a year in Florida, the annual license is the better deal — and you can still buy that one online at GoOutdoorsFlorida.com.
The "Do I need a license?" FWC page has the full exemption list.
This trips up out-of-state visitors regularly: the home-county shore exception is for Florida residents only. If you're visiting and surf-casting at Jacksonville Beach, Vilano Beach, or any St. Augustine surf, you still need a non-resident saltwater license. FWC officers do check, and the fine is meaningfully more than the license cost.