Washington boat — quick answer
In Washington, a boat bill of sale is required and notarization of the title transfer is situational. The state form used for titled vehicles is 420065. Boats in Washington may be registered through the DMV or a separate wildlife/parks agency — confirm with the Washington DOL.
Is a boat bill of sale required in Washington?
Required. Washington uses Form 420065 (Vehicle/Vessel Bill of Sale); the seller files a Report of Sale within 5 days.
Seller signs the title; the buyer titles and registers, and the seller files a Report of Sale. For boats specifically, registration authority can differ from cars — verify whether your vessel is handled by the Washington DOL or a separate wildlife/parks agency.
Does a Washington boat bill of sale need to be notarized?
Situational (situational). The transfer signature must be notarized if pre-signed; instead, you can sign in front of a vehicle-licensing agent (no notary needed in person).
What to include on a Washington 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 Washington
- 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 signs the title; the buyer titles and registers, and the seller files a Report of Sale.
- 3File a notice of sale / release of liability.
The seller files Report of Sale — file within 5 days to remove liability.
- 4Register with the Washington DOL.
The buyer titles and registers the boat, bringing Vehicle/Vessel Bill of Sale. Confirm current fees on the official page.
Official sources
Requirements change and can vary by county. Confirm with the Washington DOL before you sign. Not legal advice.
Washington Boat Bill of Sale — FAQ
Is a boat bill of sale required in Washington?
A bill of sale is required in Washington. Washington uses Form 420065 (Vehicle/Vessel Bill of Sale); the seller files a Report of Sale within 5 days.
Does a Washington boat bill of sale need to be notarized?
Sometimes. The transfer signature must be notarized if pre-signed; instead, you can sign in front of a vehicle-licensing agent (no notary needed in person).
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.