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Bismarck, North Dakota

Bismarck Jet Ski Bill of Sale Requirements

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Reviewed against state DMV requirementsLast reviewed: April 20266 min readEditorial policy

Complete requirements checklist for a jet ski bill of sale in Bismarck, North Dakota (Form SFN 2872). Includes exact fees, notarization rules, and where to file at the ND DOT – Bismarck Driver License Office.

Fees, notarization rules, and filing addresses on this page are reviewed against 49 CFR Part 580 — Odometer Disclosure Requirements and the ND DOT – Bismarck Driver License Office. Source documents are cross-checked each quarter so Bismarck buyers and sellers always see the current North Dakota jet ski bill of sale standard, not stale third-party summaries.

Title Transfer Fee

$5.00

Sales Tax Rate

5.50%

Notarization

Not Required

Required Fields — Bismarck Jet Ski Bill of Sale

All of the following must appear on a valid jet ski bill of sale in Bismarck, North Dakota per Form SFN 2872:

  • Full legal name and current address of seller
  • Full legal name and current address of buyer
  • Agreed sale price (in numerals and words)
  • Date of sale
  • Jet Ski year, make, model, and body style
  • HIN (Hull Identification Number)
  • Signature of seller
  • Signature of buyer

Notarization in Bismarck: Not Required

North Dakota does not require notarization for a jet ski bill of sale. North Dakota does not require notarization. Both parties simply sign and date the completed form in the presence of each other.

North Dakota Jet Ski transfer fees and requirements

In North Dakota, the title transfer fee is $5 and registration costs Based on weight and age; $49 - $274. Jet Ski sales are subject to 5% excise tax on vehicle purchase price. North Dakota does not require notarization for private-party jet ski transfers. North Dakota does not require emission testing for private-party jet ski sales.

  • 5% motor vehicle excise tax applies
  • Title transfer at county motor vehicle office
  • No emissions testing requirement

Official North Dakota bill of sale form

The official North Dakota bill of sale form is SFN 2872 (Bill of Sale). BillOfSaleNow generates a document that meets all North Dakota requirements and can be used in place of the official form.

North Dakota sales tax on jet ski purchases

North Dakota has a 5% state sales tax rate. 5% motor vehicle excise tax statewide. Private-party jet ski sales in North Dakota are subject to sales tax. Excise tax applies to all vehicle purchases. The title transfer fee is $5.

Jet Ski market data and safety information

The most common jet ski makes in private-party sales are Yamaha, Sea-Doo (BRP), Kawasaki. Average private-party jet ski prices range from $3,000–$18,000. Jet skis average 1.2 NHTSA recalls per model across categories including Fuel System, Steering, Hull/Deck.

Safety checkpoints for buying a used jet ski

Before completing a jet ski bill of sale in North Dakota, verify these safety items:

  • Inspect hull for cracks, especially around the intake grate area
  • Check impeller and wear ring for scoring and play
  • Verify all drain plugs are present and seal properly
  • Test electronic throttle response and reverse mechanism
  • Confirm lanyard kill-switch cuts engine immediately when pulled
  • Verify required PFD storage and fire extinguisher are present
  • Test engine compartment ventilation blower (4-stroke models)
  • Inspect handlebar pads, throttle/brake levers for crash damage

Jet Ski insurance and depreciation in North Dakota

PWC insurance averages $200–$500/year. Required in many states for operation on public waterways. Jet skis depreciate 40–50% in the first 3 years. Low-hour Yamaha WaveRunners retain value best. Peak season for private jet ski sales is late spring (april–may) before summer water season, with an average of 30 days on market.

Jet Ski registration and titling

Jet Skis are classified as "Personal watercraft (state-registered)" for registration purposes. PWC are classified by engine hours rather than mileage. Average lifespan is 300–500 engine hours. Federal odometer disclosure does not apply to jet skis.

Jet Ski title transfer rules

Jet ski (personal watercraft / PWC) transfers use a Hull Identification Number (HIN), not a VIN. Most states require a watercraft title for PWC. Transfer procedures mirror boat transfers within each state. Most states title jet skis as watercraft using the HIN. Some states combine the watercraft and trailer on a single registration; others require separate titles. Verify the HIN on the hull matches the title.

Odometer disclosure for jet ski sales

Jet skis are exempt from federal odometer disclosure. Engine hours are commonly documented on the bill of sale but not legally required.

Required disclosures for jet ski sales in North Dakota

When selling a jet ski in North Dakota, the following disclosures apply:

  • Hull condition and any history of submersion or impact damage should be disclosed.
  • Supercharger or intercooler condition (on turbocharged models) is a major maintenance item and should be noted.
  • Trailer inclusion — if the PWC is sold with a trailer, the trailer requires a separate title transfer in most states.

North Dakota bill of sale statistics

BillOfSaleNow has generated 194 bill of sale documents for North Dakota transactions, with 5 generated this month alone. The most popular vehicle type is car.

Where to File — Bismarck Title Office

Office

ND DOT – Bismarck Driver License Office

Address

608 E Boulevard Ave, Bismarck, ND 58505

Phone

(701) 328-2725

Hours

Mon–Fri 8:00 AM–5:00 PM

Additional requirements in Burleigh County:

  • Title transfer at Burleigh County Recorder within 30 days
  • 5% excise tax on vehicle purchases
  • Seller must sign title
  • Odometer disclosure required

What to Bring to the ND DMV

  • 1Completed, signed jet ski bill of sale
  • 2Jet Ski title signed over by seller on the back
  • 3Valid government-issued photo ID (driver's license or passport)
  • 4Payment for title transfer fee: $5.00
  • 5Payment for sales tax (5.50% of sale price)

FAQ — Jet Ski Bill of Sale Requirements in Bismarck

What are the required fields on a jet ski bill of sale in Bismarck?
A valid jet ski bill of sale in Bismarck, North Dakota must include both parties' full legal names and addresses, sale date, agreed sale price, HIN, year, make, model, and signatures of buyer and seller.
What is the title transfer fee for a jet ski in Bismarck?
The title transfer fee in Burleigh County is $5.00. The jet ski sales tax rate is 5.50%. ND state 5% excise tax on vehicles + Bismarck city 0.5%
Is notarization required for a jet ski bill of sale in Bismarck?
No. North Dakota does not require notarization.
Where do I file a jet ski title transfer in Bismarck?
File the title transfer at the ND DOT – Bismarck Driver License Office, 608 E Boulevard Ave, Bismarck, ND 58505. Hours: Mon–Fri 8:00 AM–5:00 PM. Phone: (701) 328-2725.

Trusted by private vehicle sellers nationwide

45% faster sale

Vehicles whose listings include a history report spend ~45% less time on site before selling, and report-viewers are 5x more likely to become a lead.

Source: Experian / AutoCheck

$4,000 avg loss

NHTSA estimates 450,000+ vehicles per year are sold with rolled-back odometers — the average victim loses about $4,000 in downstream repair costs.

Source: NHTSA

17.5M private sales/yr

About 17.5 million private-party vehicle transactions happen in the U.S. each year — roughly 47% of the used market.

Source: Cox Automotive 2024

1 in 3 buyers

Roughly 1 in 3 used-car buyers say they suspect private sellers are hiding mechanical problems — documentation closes that trust gap.

Source: JW Surety Bonds (n=3,000)

$60–$85 mobile notary

Mobile notary visit minimums run $60–$85 — higher on weekends, plus per-mile travel fees. State-formatted documents skip the trip.

Source: Thumbtack / NNA