Just Sold Your Boat? Here’s What to Do Next
Selling a boat involves state-specific registration transfer in addition to the bill of sale. Some boats also require U.S. Coast Guard documentation. These steps ensure your liability ends on the sale date.
Post-Sale Checklist
Complete these steps after the handover.
- 1
Keep your signed boat bill of sale
This is proof you sold the vessel. If the buyer is involved in an incident before they complete registration, you’ll need the bill of sale to prove the boat was sold on the sale date. Keep it for at least 5 years.
- 2
Notify your state’s boat registration authority
Most states require the transfer to be reported within 30 days of the sale. Contact your state’s fish and wildlife agency or DMV equivalent to complete the seller notification.
- 3
Cancel or transfer your boat insurance
Contact your insurer and cancel or transfer coverage effective from the sale date. Don’t continue paying premiums on a vessel you no longer own.
- 4
File a USCG abstract of title if applicable
If the boat is U.S. Coast Guard documented (26+ feet or used in commerce), file an abstract of title transfer with the USCG National Vessel Documentation Center. This is separate from state registration and required to clear the federal title record.
- 5
Confirm the buyer completes state registration
The buyer is responsible for registering the vessel in their name. Once they do, you’ll no longer appear in state records as the owner. Follow up if you continue receiving registration renewal notices.
Boat-Specific Notes
Boats use a Hull Identification Number (HIN) instead of a VIN. Make sure the HIN on the bill of sale matches the HIN stamped on the transom. For personal watercraft (jet skis), the same rules apply — confirm the HIN on the hull before signing and keep your bill of sale as proof.
Leave a review if you used BillOfSaleNow
If the sale is done and the bill of sale is signed, this is the moment to leave a review. It helps other sellers find a tool that protects them.