A boat bill of sale records the sale of a boat, plus the motor and trailer, which are often registered separately. Many states require one to register or title the boat in the buyer’s name.
Free Boat Bill of Sale template
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Boat Bill of Sale
Seller: ____, ____
Buyer: ____, ____
Vessel
Year: ____ Make: ____ Model: ____
Hull ID (HIN): ____ Registration / title no.: ____
Motor: ____
Trailer: ____
Sale
For $____, received on ____, Seller sells and transfers the vessel and any listed motor and trailer to Buyer.
Seller states that Seller is the lawful owner, the property is free of liens and encumbrances, and Seller has the right to sell it.
The vessel is sold as is, where is, with no warranties except as stated here.
This bill of sale is made under the law of ____.
Seller: __ Date: __
Buyer: __ Date: __
Notary (if required)
State of __ County of __ Signed before me on __. Notary Public: __
This free template is general information, not legal advice, and may not suit your state or situation. Some documents must be signed before witnesses or a notary. For anything important, have a lawyer review it.
What to check before you buy or sell
- The Hull Identification Number (HIN) on the transom matches the paperwork.
- The seller’s title or registration (rules vary: some states title boats, others only register them).
- No liens, ask for a lien release if there was a loan.
- Trailer VIN and registration, if included.
After the sale
The buyer registers or titles the boat (and trailer) with the state agency, usually within a set number of days, and pays any sales tax. The seller should notify the state of the sale if required.
Frequently asked questions
Does a boat bill of sale need to be notarized?
Some states require it; others don’t. Notarizing never hurts.
Questions from readers
Question about the Boat Bill of Sale? Ask it here. We answer common questions in general terms on this page. This is not legal advice.
