How to Transfer a Boat Title

This article was written by Jennifer Mueller, JD. Jennifer Mueller is an in-house legal expert at wikiHow. Jennifer reviews, fact-checks, and evaluates wikiHow's legal content to ensure thoroughness and accuracy. She received her JD from Indiana University Maurer School of Law in 2006.

This article has been viewed 119,755 times.

If you want to operate a boat in American waters, it must be titled and registered in the state where you live. Part of the process of buying a boat from another individual is getting the boat title transferred from the seller's name into your name. While the process is fairly straightforward, mistakes could result in disputes over the ownership of the boat. [1] X Research source

Selling a Boat

• If you had the boat financed and there is a lien on the title, you'll also need documentation for release of that lien from the finance company.

• Even if your state does not require a bill of sale, it's still good practice to have a written document recording the transaction, in case questions or problems arise later.
• Take the bill of sale to a notary public so your signature and the buyer's signature on the bill of sale can be notarized. If the transaction is later disputed, the document will more likely hold up in court. Have 2 copies notarized so both you and the buyer have an original.

• Check with the buyer to make sure the information you have is correct. Write legibly in blue or black ink.

• If there is a space for a notary seal on the back of the title, that's an indication that the signature must be notarized. If you're unsure, you can call your state's boat licensing office to find out.
• Getting the title notarized at the same time you have the bill of sale notarized can save you some time and money.

• You may want to make a photocopy of the title before you hand it over, so you have it for your records. This might come in handy if, for example, the buyer misplaces the title before they get a chance to go to the title office.

• If there are any questions or problems with your title, you also have the opportunity to clear those problems up immediately if you're there in person.

Purchasing a Boat

• Some states require titles to be signed in the presence of a notary. If there is space for a notary seal on the back of the title, don't let the seller sign it until they're in front of a notary. Otherwise the signature will be invalid.

• An authorized representative should have a contract, power of attorney, or other document that makes it clear they are the legal, authorized representative of the title owner of the boat.
• If the representative cannot produce documentation, don't go through with the sale – it might not be legitimate. Contact the title owner of the boat if possible.

• With the seller by your side, most problems can be cleared up immediately. For example, the title may have a lien on it. The seller could produce a release of lien document to prove that they owned the boat free and clear when they sold it.

• Some states also require you to present a written bill of sale for the boat. If you're buying the boat from an individual, you may want to call your state's boat titling office in advance and find out what documents you'll need.
• Make sure all information about the boat is exactly the same as the information on the original title. This ensures a clean transfer of title.

• Some states don't assess taxes on casual boat sales (sales between two private individuals). However, you'll still have to pay a fee to have the new title issued, typically around $15 or $20.

• If you have to wait for your official title, find out if you can still register your boat with the temporary document. You won't be able to take the boat out on the water until it's registered.

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1. ↑https://tpwd.texas.gov/fishboat/boat/owner/buying_and_selling/
2. ↑https://tpwd.texas.gov/fishboat/boat/owner/buying_and_selling/
3. ↑http://www.dnr.sc.gov/boating/registration.html
4. ↑https://tpwd.texas.gov/fishboat/boat/owner/buying_and_selling/
5. ↑https://tpwd.texas.gov/fishboat/boat/owner/buying_and_selling/
6. ↑https://tpwd.texas.gov/fishboat/boat/owner/buying_and_selling/
7. ↑http://www.dnr.sc.gov/boating/Titling_and_Registration/index.html
8. ↑http://www.dnr.sc.gov/boating/Titling_and_Registration/index.html

About This Article

This article was written by Jennifer Mueller, JD. Jennifer Mueller is an in-house legal expert at wikiHow. Jennifer reviews, fact-checks, and evaluates wikiHow's legal content to ensure thoroughness and accuracy. She received her JD from Indiana University Maurer School of Law in 2006. This article has been viewed 119,755 times.

To transfer a boat title, first locate your proof of ownership for the boat and its outboard motor. Then, complete a bill of sale if this is required by your state. Regardless of whether you need a bill of sale, fill in the transfer section on the back of the boat title with details of the buyer’s name and address. Once you’ve filled in the transfer section, meet with a notary so they can confirm both you and the buyer’s signatures. After you’ve signed it, give the title to the buyer. At this point, you can go with the buyer to the title office to make sure they get their new title. For more tips from our Legal co-author, including how to transfer a boat title to your name, read on!

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