Out-of-state sale — What You Need to Know
The buyer and seller are in different states, or the vehicle is currently registered in a different state than where the buyer will register it. This can trigger additional inspections and title-reissuing requirements.
Seller guidance
You must title/register the transfer in the state whose rules govern the sale (typically the state where the transaction occurs). Provide the buyer with your state's standard bill of sale and a clean, signed title. Some states require you to obtain a VIN inspection before releasing a title to an out-of-state buyer.
Buyer guidance
You will need to re-title the vehicle in your home state after purchase. Bring the signed out-of-state title, the bill of sale, and any required inspection certificates to your local DMV. Many states require a state-certified VIN verification and an odometer disclosure statement to process an out-of-state title.
Legal note (Utah-specific)
UT requires a VIN verification for all out-of-state vehicles. The out-of-state title is surrendered at the DMV. UT charges 6.85% use tax on the purchase price if not paid.
Out-of-state sale checklist
- Confirm the original title is signed and notarized if required by the seller's state
- Obtain a state VIN verification form if required in the buyer's state
- Complete odometer disclosure on the title or a separate form (49 CFR Part 580)
- Gather emissions or safety inspection certificates if required in the buyer's state
- File for title transfer in the buyer's home state within the permitted timeframe
- Get VIN verification at UT DMV
- Surrender out-of-state title at UT DMV
- Pay 6.85% use tax if not paid in state of purchase
- Transfer title within 30 days
Personal Watercraft Safety & Recall Information
Data sourced from NHTSA safety ratings and recall databases
Average Safety Rating
0 / 5
Avg. Price Range
$3,000–$20,000
Odometer Disclosure
Not required
Safety checkpoints for personal watercraft buyers
- Inspect hull for spider cracks and stress fractures around mounting points
- Check wear ring and impeller clearance — determines acceleration and top speed
- Verify HIN (Hull Identification Number) matches registration
- Test electronic throttle and reverse operation
- Confirm lanyard kill-switch cuts power immediately when pulled
- Verify required fire extinguisher is present and current
- Test engine compartment ventilation blower (4-stroke models)
- Inspect tow eye, ski-tow ring, and grab handle attachment
Common recall categories
Fuel SystemSteeringHullEngineElectrical
On average, each personal watercraft model has approximately 1.2 recalls. Always check your specific vehicle at NHTSA.gov/recalls before completing a sale.
Washington Out-of-state sale personal watercraft pdf — when to file
Utah requires title transfer within 30 days of the sale date on the bill of sale. For out-of-state sale transactions specifically, file at DMV – Washington (Visit https://dmv.utah.gov for the nearest Washington, UT office) during normal hours: Mon–Fri 8:00 AM–5:00 PM. Miss the 30-day window and Utah typically charges a late-transfer penalty plus accrued use tax, and the seller can remain on the title for civil liability until the buyer completes retitling. Bring the signed title, the completed Washington bill of sale, your government-issued ID, and payment for the $6.00 title transfer fee plus 7.60% sales tax on the purchase price.
PDF reminder. Whether you keep your pdf as a signed digital PDF, both buyer and seller should leave the signing with an identical executed copy. The buyer needs the original to present at DMV – Washington; the seller keeps a duplicate to prove the date of transfer if a future liability question arises before the title fully retitles.