Indiana boat — quick answer
In Indiana, a boat bill of sale is situational and notarization of the title transfer is not required. The state form used for titled vehicles is State Form 44237. Boats in Indiana may be registered through the DMV or a separate wildlife/parks agency — confirm with the Indiana BMV.
Is a boat bill of sale required in Indiana?
Situational. A bill of sale (State Form 44237) is valid as ownership proof only in limited non-titled cases; titled vehicles transfer by the assigned title.
Seller assigns the title; the buyer titles and registers at a BMV branch. For boats specifically, registration authority can differ from cars — verify whether your vessel is handled by the Indiana BMV or a separate wildlife/parks agency.
Does a Indiana boat bill of sale need to be notarized?
Not required. The Indiana bill of sale is not required to be notarized.
What to include on a Indiana boat bill of sale
- 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 transfer a boat in Indiana
- 1Complete the bill of sale and title assignment.
Record the buyer, seller, price, and date. Both parties sign and date.
- 2Hand over the signed title.
Seller assigns the title; the buyer titles and registers at a BMV branch.
- 3Register with the Indiana BMV.
The buyer titles and registers the boat, bringing Bill of Sale. Confirm current fees on the official page.
Official sources
Requirements change and can vary by county. Confirm with the Indiana BMV before you sign. Not legal advice.
Indiana Boat Bill of Sale — FAQ
Is a boat bill of sale required in Indiana?
A bill of sale is situational in Indiana. A bill of sale (State Form 44237) is valid as ownership proof only in limited non-titled cases; titled vehicles transfer by the assigned title.
Does a Indiana boat bill of sale need to be notarized?
No. The Indiana bill of sale is not required to be notarized.
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.
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.