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The Daily Insight

Can I buy a boat with just a bill of sale?

Author

Emma Jordan

Published Apr 23, 2026

Once the sale is complete, the buyer must apply for legal title with the state agency that handles boat registration. Each state will have its own requirements about forms and fees, but, in general, you will be able to use your bill of sale as proof of purchase to obtain the title from the state.

Does a bill of sale need to be notarized in California?

A bill of sale must accurately establish the chain of ownership and is: Not required to be notarized or witnessed. Not required for sales between California-licensed dealers.

Does California allow an electronic bill of sale?

Despite the aging equipment used to memorialize deals found in many automobile dealerships, including dot matrix printers with cutting edge 1980s technology, California has exempted new and used vehicle leases and sales from its version of the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act (“UETA”).

How do you get a title with a bill of sale in California?

In the state of California, it is required that you have a completed bill of sale before you register the vehicle. So you’ll need to bring a copy of your car’s bill of sale to the DMV when you go. You will also need to have your bill of sale in order to have the title of the car transferred.

Does California allow electronic bill of sale?

What is the sales tax on a boat in California?

Sales and use taxes for boat purchases in California can range from 7.5 to 10 percent, according to BoatUS. The taxes do not end once you assume ownership of your new or used boat.

What if I buy a boat without title?

Any boat can be voluntarily titled. Boat titling assures the buyer of a boat that the seller has clear ownership of a boat offered for sale. Some lenders won’t finance a boat without a title, so securing a loan to purchase a boat may be easier if the boat is titled.

How do you write a bill of sale for a boat in California?

A California Bill of Sale for a boat must include:

  1. The vessel identification number; the year, make, and model of the boat, and the CF number.
  2. It must also have the printed name of both the buyer and the seller, the date of the sale, and the price of the boat.

Does California require a notarized bill of sale?

Does a bill of sale release liability?

As a seller, a bill of sale not only acts as a receipt, but it also frees you from liability. This means that, were the buyer to claim that they never bought the car from you, you have proof so that you are not responsible for anything that happens to the vehicle after the purchase.

What does a boat Bill of sale mean?

A boat bill of sale (also called a boat purchase agreement) is a document used to detail the terms of a transaction between a private seller and buyer.

Do you have to notarize a boat Bill of sale?

Some states require the buyer and seller to sign in the presence of a notary public for the form to be valid. If your state doesn’t require boat bills of sale to be notarized, it’s still a good idea to have another adult witness the sale in case a dispute arises.

Is there a sales contract for used boats?

Congratulations! Use for sales processing of our purchase agreement for used boats. Our Boat Sales Contract is limited to one page, keeping it as simple as possible. Nevertheless, all important points of the contract are included. This purchase agreement can be used as a template for power boats, sailboats or inflatables.

Do you have to put outboard motor on Bill of sale?

Outboard motors aren’t permanent parts of the boat, so they must be listed separately on the bill of sale form, even if a trailer isn’t included in the transaction. If your boat is federally documented (registered with the U.S. Coast Guard), you need an official Coast Guard bill of sale to complete the transfer.