Tennessee boat — quick answer
In Tennessee, a boat bill of sale is situational and notarization of the title transfer is situational. Boats in Tennessee may be registered through the DMV or a separate wildlife/parks agency — confirm with the Tennessee DOR.
Is a boat bill of sale required in Tennessee?
Situational. For casual sales a notarized bill of sale is commonly required in addition to the properly endorsed title — but a bill of sale alone is not sufficient proof of ownership.
Seller assigns the title; the buyer titles and registers at the County Clerk. For boats specifically, registration authority can differ from cars — verify whether your vessel is handled by the Tennessee DOR or a separate wildlife/parks agency.
Does a Tennessee boat bill of sale need to be notarized?
Situational (situational). A notarized bill of sale is referenced for casual sales but does not replace the endorsed title. Treat notarization as conditional.
What to include on a Tennessee 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 Tennessee
- 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 the County Clerk.
- 3Register with the Tennessee DOR.
The buyer titles and registers the boat. Confirm current fees on the official page.
Official sources
Requirements change and can vary by county. Confirm with the Tennessee DOR before you sign. Not legal advice.
Tennessee Boat Bill of Sale — FAQ
Is a boat bill of sale required in Tennessee?
A bill of sale is situational in Tennessee. For casual sales a notarized bill of sale is commonly required in addition to the properly endorsed title — but a bill of sale alone is not sufficient proof of ownership.
Does a Tennessee boat bill of sale need to be notarized?
Sometimes. A notarized bill of sale is referenced for casual sales but does not replace the endorsed title. Treat notarization as conditional.
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.