How to Sell a Boat Privately in Oregon (2026)
| Titling agency | Oregon DMV |
| Transfer deadline | 30 days from sale |
| Sales / use tax | 0% (Oregon has no state sales tax on vehicle purchases) |
| Bill of sale notary | Not required |
| Lien release form | DMV Title (lien section) |
How to Sell a Boat Privately in Oregon — 8 Steps
- 1Locate the HIN — the 12-character hull identification number is stamped on the starboard (right) transom on all boats manufactured after 1972. Oregon requires this on every bill of sale.
- 2Determine registration class — boats under 26 ft register with Oregon DMV only. Boats 26 ft+ may need USCG documentation (federal title) in addition to state registration. Check vessel length and use.
- 3Clear any liens — if the boat was financed, request a payoff and lien release letter. Oregon uses DMV Title (lien section).
- 4Gather documentation — current Oregon registration card, state title (if titled), USCG documentation (if applicable), trailer title, engine serial number records.
- 5Price the vessel — check NADA Guides (boats), BUCValu, or recent Oregon dealer comps. Factor in trailer condition, engine hours, and recent service.
- 6Complete the bill of sale — HIN, vessel make/year/length, engine make/model/serial, trailer VIN (if included), sale price, sale date, both parties' full legal names and addresses.
- 7Sign the title or registration — endorse the back of the Oregon registration or title. For USCG-documented vessels, complete Form CG-1340 (notarized).
- 8Notify Oregon DMV — buyer must register within 30 days of the sale. Seller files release of ownership with Oregon DMV to remove liability for future fines.
Oregon lien release procedure
- Lienholder completes the lien release section on the back of the existing Oregon title.
- Owner submits the released title and title application at an Oregon DMV office.
- Pay the title fee and receive a clean Oregon title.
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Start My Oregon Boat Bill of Sale →Frequently Asked Questions — Oregon
Do I need a bill of sale to sell a boat in Oregon?▾
Yes. Oregon requires a written bill of sale for private boat transfers to document the hull identification number (HIN), engine details, sale price, and both parties' signatures. The buyer needs the bill of sale to register the vessel with Oregon DMV.
What is the Oregon boat title transfer deadline?▾
Oregon requires the buyer to transfer registration within 30 days of the sale date. Missing the deadline can trigger late fees and back-dated registration penalties.
Is sales tax owed on a private boat sale in Oregon?▾
Oregon charges 0% sales/use tax on private boat sales. Oregon has no state sales tax on vehicle purchases The buyer typically pays tax at the registration office when registering with Oregon DMV.
Do I need a notary for a Oregon boat bill of sale?▾
Oregon does not require notarization for a private boat bill of sale. However, USCG-documented vessels (26+ feet) require notarization on Form CG-1340 regardless of state.
How does a buyer register a boat purchased privately in Oregon?▾
The buyer takes the signed bill of sale and endorsed title (or prior registration) to Oregon DMV and pays the registration fee plus 0% sales/use tax. Transfer must be completed within 30 days of the sale date.
Source: Oregon DMV ↗ · Last verified 2026-05-07