Richmond, Virginia

Richmond, Virginia Personal Watercraft Bill of Sale for Family transfer — Print a Ready-to-Sign Form

Print a personal watercraft bill of sale form for your family transfer in Richmond, Virginia. Fill in the details online, then print the completed document for both parties to sign.

Print a ready-to-sign form

Print Instructions

Paper Size

US Letter (8.5 × 11 in)

Margins

0.5 in minimum all sides

Ink

Black ink, laser or inkjet

Before You Print

☐Verify the VIN matches the personal watercraft title exactly
☐Confirm buyer and seller names match government-issued IDs
☐Have both parties present at the time of signing
☐Bring a valid photo ID accepted by Virginia
☐Print at least two copies — one for each party

Both parties should sign with a ballpoint pen in blue or black ink. Initial any corrections rather than using correction fluid.

Family transfer — What You Need to Know

The vehicle is transferred between immediate family members. Many states offer reduced or waived sales and use tax for qualifying family transfers.

Seller guidance

Identify whether your state's DMV has a specific family transfer exemption form or requires a relationship affidavit. Qualifying relationships vary by state but typically include spouses, parents, children, siblings, and grandparents. Keep the bill of sale simple and clearly state the relationship.

Buyer guidance

Even if no money changes hands, you will owe use tax on fair market value in some states unless you qualify for the family exemption. Bring your relationship documentation (marriage certificate, birth certificate) to the DMV when re-registering. The title transfer process is otherwise the same as a standard sale.

Legal note (Virginia-specific)

Virginia's SUT exemption for family transfers is narrow: only gifts to a spouse, son, daughter, or parent qualify under Va. Code § 58.1-2403(7). Siblings, grandparents, grandchildren, aunts, and uncles are fully taxable at 4.15% on NADA trade-in value (minimum $75). The exemption is claimed on Form SUT-3 (Purchaser's Statement of Tax Exemption). For transfers from a deceased owner's estate where no executor has been appointed and the vehicle is not held in joint tenancy with survivorship, Form VSA 24 (Authority to Transfer Virginia Title Certification) is required unless the estate qualifies as a small estate under Virginia law. All family transfers require the buyer to apply to DMV for a new certificate of title within 30 days under Va. Code § 46.2-630.

Family transfer checklist

Confirm qualifying family relationship under your state's DMV rules
Obtain the required family transfer exemption form or affidavit
Document fair market value on the bill of sale (for tax records)
Bring relationship proof (marriage certificate, birth certificate) to the DMV
Determine if IRS Form 709 is required if value exceeds the annual gift exclusion
Confirm the relationship qualifies under Va. Code § 58.1-2403(7) — only spouse, son, daughter, or parent qualify; siblings and grandchildren do not
Complete Form SUT-3 to claim SUT exemption at the DMV
Buyer applies for new certificate of title within 30 days of transfer under Va. Code § 46.2-630
For deceased-owner transfers where no executor appointed and no survivorship rights: submit Form VSA 24 (Authority to Transfer Virginia Title Certification) — not required if estate qualifies as small estate under Virginia law

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.

Virginia Tax & Fee Summary

State Sales Tax Rate

4.15%

Title Transfer Fee

$15

Private Party Exempt

4.15% motor vehicle SUT statewide

Motor vehicle sales and use tax applies to all sales

Visit the official Virginia DMV website

Local Requirements — Richmond (Independent City)

DMV / Title Office

VA DMV – Richmond Main Office

Address

2300 W Broad St, Richmond, VA 23220

Phone

(804) 497-7100

Office Hours

Mon–Fri 8:00 AM–5:00 PM; Sat 8:00 AM–12:00 PM

https://www.dmv.virginia.gov

Transfer Fees & Taxes — Richmond

Title Transfer Fee

$15.00

Sales Tax Rate

4.15%

Base Registration Fee

$40.75

Virginia 4.15% motor vehicle SUT statewide

Notarization: NOT REQUIRED

Virginia does not require notarization.

Richmond Transfer Checklist

Title transfer at VA DMV within 30 days
4.15% motor vehicle SUT
Safety inspection required
Seller must sign title assignment

County Information — Richmond (Independent City)

County Clerk / Recorder

Richmond Circuit Court Clerk

Phone

(804) 646-6505

Website

https://www.rva.gov/circuit-court

Richmond Family transfer personal watercraft printable — when to file

Virginia requires title transfer within 30 days of the sale date on the bill of sale. For family transfer transactions specifically, file at VA DMV – Richmond Main Office (2300 W Broad St, Richmond, VA 23220) during normal hours: Mon–Fri 8:00 AM–5:00 PM; Sat 8:00 AM–12:00 PM. Miss the 30-day window and Virginia 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 Richmond bill of sale, your government-issued ID, and payment for the $15.00 title transfer fee plus 4.15% sales tax on the purchase price.

Printable reminder. Whether you keep your printable as a printed two-copy paper record, both buyer and seller should leave the signing with an identical executed copy. The buyer needs the original to present at VA DMV – Richmond Main Office; the seller keeps a duplicate to prove the date of transfer if a future liability question arises before the title fully retitles.

Frequently asked questions

What family transfer documents do I need for a personal watercraft sale in Richmond, Virginia?

For a family transfer personal watercraft transaction in Richmond, you need: Confirm qualifying family relationship under your state's DMV rules; Obtain the required family transfer exemption form or affidavit; Document fair market value on the bill of sale (for tax records); Bring relationship proof (marriage certificate, birth certificate) to the DMV; Determine if IRS Form 709 is required if value exceeds the annual gift exclusion; Confirm the relationship qualifies under Va. Code § 58.1-2403(7) — only spouse, son, daughter, or parent qualify; siblings and grandchildren do not; Complete Form SUT-3 to claim SUT exemption at the DMV; Buyer applies for new certificate of title within 30 days of transfer under Va. Code § 46.2-630; For deceased-owner transfers where no executor appointed and no survivorship rights: submit Form VSA 24 (Authority to Transfer Virginia Title Certification) — not required if estate qualifies as small estate under Virginia law.

What is the sales tax on a personal watercraft private sale in Richmond, Virginia?

The combined sales tax rate in Richmond is 4.15%. Virginia 4.15% motor vehicle SUT statewide

Do I need to notarize a personal watercraft bill of sale in Virginia?

No, notarization is not required. Virginia does not require notarization.

What are common recalls for a personal watercraft?

Common recall categories for personal watercrafts include: Fuel System, Steering, Hull, Engine, Electrical. On average, each personal watercraft model has approximately 1.2 recalls. Always check your specific vehicle at NHTSA.gov before completing a sale.