In short
A boat bill of sale records the sale of a vessel, including the make, model, length, 12-character Hull Identification Number (HIN), motor, price, and signatures.
What is a boat bill of sale?
A boat (or vessel) bill of sale documents the private sale of a boat. It captures the hull description, the Hull Identification Number (HIN), the motor, any included trailer, the price, and the parties’ signatures.
Boats are usually registered (and sometimes titled) through a state agency — often the DMV, a fish-and-wildlife or natural-resources department, or a parks department — and a bill of sale is commonly required to register the vessel and pay tax.
When do you need one?
Use a boat bill of sale in situations like these:
- Selling or buying a boat, vessel, or personal watercraft (jet ski) privately.
- Registering or titling a boat that requires proof of purchase.
- Selling a boat with a motor and/or trailer that should be described together.
What information goes on a boat bill of sale?
A complete boat bill of sale should include all of the following. Our generator collects each one and flags anything you miss:
- Buyer and seller names and addresses
- Year, make, model, and length
- Hull Identification Number (HIN) — 12 characters
- Motor details (make, horsepower, serial number)
- Whether a trailer is included
- Price, date, and signatures
How to write a boat bill of sale
- 1 Open the boat bill of sale generator
Start the free generator with the Boat Bill of Sale type already selected and choose the state where the sale takes place.
- 2 Enter the seller, buyer, and item details
Add full legal names and addresses, then describe the boat — the live preview builds the document as you type.
- 3 Add the price and terms
Record the agreed price (or mark it as a gift), the payment method, and whether the sale is "as-is."
- 4 Check, sign, and download
Reach 100% on the completeness score, copy or download the document for free, then follow the signing checklist for your state.
Legal considerations
- The HIN is 12 characters and is usually stamped on the upper starboard side of the transom.
- A boat motor and trailer are often separate titled/registered items — describe each, and consider a separate trailer bill of sale.
- Registration authority varies by state (DMV vs. wildlife/parks agency) — check your state page.
This page is general information, not legal advice. Read our disclaimer.
State-specific requirements
Vehicle-type documents are tied to state title law. The biggest difference between states is whether the transfer must be notarized. These states require a notarized title transfer for a private sale:
Several more states require notarization only in specific tax situations. Pick your state for the exact rule, the official form, and what to bring to the DMV:
Boat Bill of Sale — FAQ
What is a HIN on a boat bill of sale?
The Hull Identification Number is a 12-character code unique to the boat, similar to a VIN on a car. It is required to register the vessel and should be copied exactly.
Do I need a separate bill of sale for the boat trailer and motor?
The motor is usually described on the boat bill of sale. A trailer often has its own VIN and may need its own bill of sale and registration — use our trailer bill of sale for that.
Where do I register a boat after buying it?
It depends on your state — boats are registered through the DMV, a wildlife agency, or a parks department. Our state pages link to the correct official source.
Is a bill of sale proof of ownership?
Generally no. For titled property like a car or boat, the title is what proves ownership. A bill of sale proves that a sale happened and records the price, date, and terms — it supports the title transfer but does not replace it. For untitled property (furniture, equipment, electronics), the signed bill of sale is usually the main proof of ownership.
Can a bill of sale be handwritten?
Yes. A handwritten bill of sale is legal as long as it includes the required details — the parties, a description of the item, the price, the date, and both signatures. Using a structured template simply makes sure nothing important is left out.