Washington Boat Bill of Sale: What You Need

1. Agency

The Washington State Department of Licensing (DOL) handles boat title and registration. Transactions are done in person at a vehicle and boat licensing office, or by mail to DOL in Olympia.

Agency text: “To title and register your boat in Washington: ... Submit your paperwork in person at a vehicle and boat licensing office or by mail.”

Source: https://dol.wa.gov/vehicles-and-boats/boats/register-boat. Last checked: 2026-10-14.

2. Bill of sale rule / state form

Washington does not have a state-published bill of sale form for private boat sales. The seller must file a Vessel Report of Sale (online or by mail to DOL) within 5 days of the sale. The buyer completes a Vessel Title Application, submits it with the out-of-state title and proof of sales tax payment. There is no fee to file the seller's report.

Agency text: “By law, you must tell us within 5 days if your boat has changed ownership, including if it has been: Sold privately, Given as a gift to another person, Traded (either privately or to a dealership), Donated to charity, Turned over to an insurance company, Disposed of. ... There is no fee to report the sale of a boat. You can report the sale of a boat online or by mail.”

Source: https://dol.wa.gov/vehicles-and-boats/boats/report-sale-boat. Last checked: 2026-10-14.

3. Notary / witness rule

The DOL pages read for this site do not state a notary or witness requirement for the Vessel Report of Sale or the Vessel Title Application. Check with your vehicle and boat licensing office if you have questions.

Source: https://dol.wa.gov/vehicles-and-boats/boats/report-sale-boat. Last checked: 2026-10-14. The agency pages we read do not state a rule on this point.

4. HIN, title, and registration notes

Washington titles and registers most boats. The buyer has 60 days to register after moving to Washington, and 15 days after buying a boat in another state. The Vessel Report of Sale requires the hull identification number (HIN), make, model, year, vessel registration number, and the buyer's name and address. Boats exempt from registration include strictly human-powered vessels (canoes, kayaks), boats held for sale by a licensed dealer, and boats under 16 feet with a motor of 10 horsepower or less used only on non-federal waters. Boats over 35 feet long and over 40 years old require proof of marine insurance when title is transferred for the first time.

Agency text: “You have 60 days to register your boat after you move to Washington. You have 15 days to register your boat in Washington if you buy it in another state. ... When you file the report, make sure you have: Date of the sale or transfer, Name and address of the person to whom the boat was sold or transferred, The vessel registration and certificate number, The hull identification number (HIN), The make, model, and year.”

Source: https://dol.wa.gov/vehicles-and-boats/boats/register-boat. Last checked: 2026-10-14.

5. Sales / use tax

When you buy a boat from a private party in Washington and have not paid sales tax on it, you must pay use tax when you transfer the title. Use tax equals the 0.3% motor vehicle sales and use tax plus the sales tax rate at the buyer's address. The local portion varies by location. If you paid sales tax at purchase, bring proof to the licensing office.

Agency text: “Use tax is a tax on items used in Washington when the buyer hasn't paid sales tax. When you purchase a vehicle or vessel from a private party, you're required by law to pay use tax when you transfer the title into your name. The use tax is the sum of the 0.3% motor vehicle sales and use tax and the sales tax rate at the buyer's address.”

Source: https://dol.wa.gov/vehicles-and-boats/vehicles/taxes-and-fees/use-tax. Last checked: 2026-10-14.

6. Agency seller / buyer steps

Seller steps: https://dol.wa.gov/vehicles-and-boats/boats/report-sale-boat (file Vessel Report of Sale online or by mail within 5 days). Buyer steps: https://dol.wa.gov/vehicles-and-boats/boats/register-boat (complete Vessel Title Application, bring to a vehicle and boat licensing office or mail to DOL). Find a licensing office: https://dol.wa.gov/appointments-and-locations/vehicle-licensing-offices

Agency text: “Filing a report of sale will protect you from civil and criminal liability. The buyer will still need to transfer ownership into their name.”

Source: https://dol.wa.gov/vehicles-and-boats/boats/report-sale-boat. Last checked: 2026-10-14.