Missouri Boat Bill of Sale: What You Need
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Missouri at a glance
| Question | Answer | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Agency | Boat, vessel, and outboard motor titles and registrations in Missouri are handled by the Missouri Department of Revenue (DOR), Motor Vehicle Bureau. | dor.mo.gov |
| Bill of sale rule / state form | Missouri DOR publishes Form 1957 (Bill of Sale) and Form 93 (Application for Missouri Boat/Vessel or Outboard Motor Title and Registration). | dor.mo.gov |
| Notary / witness rule | Not stated on the agency pages we read | dor.mo.gov |
| HIN, title, and registration notes | All motorized boats or vessels and any sailboats longer than 12 feet must be titled and registered. | dor.mo.gov |
| Sales / use tax | Missouri collects state sales tax of 4.225 percent plus local sales tax on the purchase price, less any trade-in allowance. | dor.mo.gov |
| Agency seller / buyer steps | Missouri DOR boat/vessel/outboard motor titling and registration page: https://dor.mo.gov/motorv/watercrafttitles.php — Form 93 (Application for Missouri Boat/Vessel or Outboard Motor Title and Registration): https://… | dor.mo.gov |
1. Agency
Boat, vessel, and outboard motor titles and registrations in Missouri are handled by the Missouri Department of Revenue (DOR), Motor Vehicle Bureau. Transactions are completed at any Missouri license office.
Agency text: “To title and register a boat, vessel, or outboard motor in the state of Missouri, the owner must submit the following items at any Missouri license office”
Source: https://dor.mo.gov/motorv/watercrafttitles.php. Last checked: 2026-10-14.
2. Bill of sale rule / state form
Missouri DOR publishes Form 1957 (Bill of Sale) and Form 93 (Application for Missouri Boat/Vessel or Outboard Motor Title and Registration). To title and register, you must submit one of the following ownership documents: the Manufacturer's Statement of Origin (MSO), a properly assigned Certificate of Title, a descriptive bill of sale, or a Form 93 certified by a licensed Missouri boat dealer. A Bill of Sale (Form 1957) or a Notice of Sale (Form 5049) are also accepted when obtaining a temporary permit. Missouri also accepts a 'descriptive bill of sale' as a general term for a bill of sale that describes the watercraft.
Agency text: “The Manufacturer's Statement of Origin (MSO), properly assigned Certificate of Title, descriptive bill of sale, or an Application for Missouri Watercraft or Outboard Motor Title and Registration (Form 93) certified by a licensed Missouri boat dealer”
Source: https://dor.mo.gov/motorv/watercrafttitles.php. Last checked: 2026-10-14.
3. Notary / witness rule
The Missouri DOR watercraft titling page does not list a notary requirement for the bill of sale itself. However, a notarized lien release is required if the title has a lien listed. Check with your Missouri license office if you have questions.
Agency text: “A notarized lien release, if applicable.”
Source: https://dor.mo.gov/motorv/watercrafttitles.php. 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 boats or vessels and any sailboats longer than 12 feet must be titled and registered. Outboard motors (except trolling motors and electric outboard motors) must also be titled and registered separately. You have 60 days from the date of purchase to title; a penalty of $10 applies on the 61st day, increasing $10 every 30 days up to a maximum of $30. Registrations expire June 30 and must be renewed every three years. Boats not required to be titled or registered include: those owned by out-of-state residents stored or operated in Missouri for less than 60 consecutive days, boats propelled solely by paddle or oars, sailboats or sailboards 12 feet or less, and U.S. government vessels.
Agency text: “All motorized boats or vessels and any sailboats longer than 12 feet must be titled and registered. You have 60 days from the date of purchase to title your newly purchased boat, vessel, or outboard motor. If you do not title the boat, vessel, or outboard motor there is a title penalty of $10 on the 61st day after purchase. The penalty increases another $10 for every 30 days you are late with a maximum penalty of $30.”
Source: https://dor.mo.gov/motorv/watercrafttitles.php. Last checked: 2026-10-14.
5. Sales / use tax
Missouri collects state sales tax of 4.225 percent plus local sales tax on the purchase price, less any trade-in allowance. The local rate is the rate where you live, not where you bought the boat. Outboard motors are taxed at the same rates.
Agency text: “State sales tax of 4.225 percent, plus your local sales tax on the purchase price, less trade-in allowance, if any. Local sales tax is the rate where you live, not where you bought the boat, vessel, or outboard motor.”
Source: https://dor.mo.gov/motorv/watercrafttitles.php. Last checked: 2026-10-14.
6. Agency seller / buyer steps
Missouri DOR boat/vessel/outboard motor titling and registration page: https://dor.mo.gov/motorv/watercrafttitles.php — Form 93 (Application for Missouri Boat/Vessel or Outboard Motor Title and Registration): https://dor.mo.gov/forms/93.pdf — Form 1957 (Bill of Sale): https://dor.mo.gov/forms/1957.pdf — Find a Missouri license office: https://dor.mo.gov/motorv/licoffice.php
Agency text: “To title and register a boat, vessel, or outboard motor in the state of Missouri, the owner must submit the following items at any Missouri license office”
Source: https://dor.mo.gov/motorv/watercrafttitles.php. Last checked: 2026-10-14.
The state’s own form
Missouri publishes Form 1957 (Bill of Sale) / Form 93 (Application for Missouri Boat/Vessel or Outboard Motor Title and Registration). Open it on the agency site. If the agency asks for its own form, use that form. Our PDF records the same facts (HIN, motor serial, trailer VIN, prices, names, date, signatures) and is useful as the bill of sale between the parties, but we do not claim the agency will accept it in place of its form.
Example: a filled Missouri boat bill of sale
Names, numbers and the HIN below are made up.
BOAT BILL OF SALE
Sources
Last checked: 2026-10-14. This state replaced ohio in the first 12 because that agency's page could not be verified. Laws and forms change. Check the agency page before you sign or file. Not legal advice.