Florida Boat Bill of Sale: What You Need

1. Agency

Titles and registrations for vessels go through the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV), filed at a county tax collector or license plate agent office.

Agency text: “Chapter 328, Florida Statutes, designates that FLHSMV is responsible for issuing vessel registrations and titles. Applications for titles and registrations must be filed at a county tax collector or license plate agent office.”

Source: https://www.flhsmv.gov/motor-vehicles-tags-titles/vessels/vessel-titling-registrations/. Last checked: 2026-10-14.

2. Bill of sale rule / state form

FLHSMV publishes form HSMV 82050, 'Notice of Sale and/or Bill of Sale for a Motor Vehicle, Mobile Home, Off-Highway Vehicle or Vessel.' When a used boat comes from a state that does not title boats, FLHSMV requires the current registration and a bill of sale that describes the vessel, including manufacturer's name, year, type, hull material, propulsion, fuel, use of vessel, HIN, and length. When applying for registration, the owner must submit an executed bill of sale (or builder's contract, MSO, or federal marine document).

Agency text: “Used vessel from a state that does not require title – Current registration from that state and a bill of sale from the current registrant. Bill of sale must include complete description of the vessel including manufacturer's name, year, type, hull material, propulsion, fuel, use of vessel, hull identification number and length.”

Source: https://www.flhsmv.gov/motor-vehicles-tags-titles/vessels/vessel-titling-registrations/. Last checked: 2026-10-14.

3. Notary / witness rule

FLHSMV's vessel page and form 82050 do not list a notary requirement for the bill of sale. Form 82050 has a 'penalties of perjury' certification block. Check with your county tax collector office if you have questions.

Source: https://www.flhsmv.gov/motor-vehicles-tags-titles/vessels/vessel-titling-registrations/. Last checked: 2026-10-14. The agency pages we read do not state a rule on this point.

4. HIN, title, and registration notes

All motorized vessels operating on Florida's public waterways must be titled and registered. A vessel not exempt from titling must be titled at the same time it is registered. A buyer has 30 days to title and register, and must keep proof of the purchase date aboard during that time. Exempt from titling: non-motor-powered vessels under 16 feet, vessels on private lakes/ponds, U.S. Government vessels, federally documented vessels, and certain other categories listed on the FLHSMV page.

Agency text: “A purchaser of a new or used vessel has 30 days to title and register that vessel. During this 30 day period, the owner must have proof of the date of purchase aboard the vessel. Operating an unregistered vessel after 30 days is a second-degree misdemeanor.”

Source: https://www.flhsmv.gov/motor-vehicles-tags-titles/vessels/vessel-titling-registrations/. Last checked: 2026-10-14.

5. Sales / use tax

In a casual sale (no dealer), sales tax is due on the vessel, inboard motor, and trailer. An outboard motor and accessories may be exempt from sales tax if they are separately itemized and priced on the bill of sale. This is why the form has separate lines for boat, motor, and trailer. Ask the county tax collector about your situation.

Agency text: “If the vessel is purchased though a casual sale (no dealer involved), sales tax is due on the vessel, inboard motor and trailer. An outboard motor and accessories maybe exempt from sales tax if they are separately itemized and priced on the bill of sale.”

Source: https://www.flhsmv.gov/motor-vehicles-tags-titles/vessels/vessel-titling-registrations/. Last checked: 2026-10-14.

6. Agency seller / buyer steps

FLHSMV vessel titling and registrations page: https://www.flhsmv.gov/motor-vehicles-tags-titles/vessels/vessel-titling-registrations/ — County tax collector and license plate agent offices: https://www.flhsmv.gov/offices/

Agency text: “Applications for titles and registrations must be filed at a county tax collector or license plate agent office.”

Source: https://www.flhsmv.gov/motor-vehicles-tags-titles/vessels/vessel-titling-registrations/. Last checked: 2026-10-14.