California vs Washington: Boat Bill of Sale Comparison (2026)
Side-by-side: California vs Washington boat sale
| Feature | California | Washington |
|---|---|---|
| Official bill of sale form | REG 135 — Bill of Sale | Generic bill of sale accepted |
| Sales / use tax rate | 7.25% sales/use tax · California procedure | 6.5% sales/use tax · Washington procedure |
| Title fee (buyer pays) | $23 | $12 |
| Title transfer deadline | 10 days from sale | 15 days from sale |
| Notarization requirement | Not required | Not required |
| Lien release process | REG 227 | TD-420-069 or Title (lien section) |
| Odometer disclosure cutoff | Required for boats newer than 2011 | Required for boats newer than 2011 |
| VIN inspection (out-of-state) | Required (out-of-state vehicles) | Required (out-of-state vehicles) |
| Titling agency | California DMV | Washington DOL |
When to choose California vs Washington
Washington charges 6.5% vs 7.25% in California, a 0.75-point spread the buyer pays at title transfer. California requires title transfer within 10 days; Washington allows 15. Tight 10-day deadlines push back-dated late fees onto buyers who delay. California publishes REG 135 as the official bill of sale form; Washington accepts a generic bill of sale that includes the federally-required odometer disclosure. For a boat sale comparison, the buyer-side cost stack is dominated by sales/use tax, title fee, and any inspection or notary trip. Sellers should match the bill of sale format to the buyer's titling state because the buyer files the title transfer, not the seller.
Cross-state transfer: California to Washington
If the boat moves from California to Washington after the sale, the buyer registers and titles in Washington — not California. The seller's bill of sale should still match California sale-side conventions (because the sale happened there), but the buyer takes that bill of sale plus the endorsed California title to Washington DOL within 15 days of arrival. Washington will assess 6.5% sales or use tax on the purchase price when the new title is issued. Washington requires a VIN inspection for vehicles arriving from out of state — WA requires a VIN inspection by a DOL inspector, law enforcement, or licensed vehicle dealer for out-of-state titles with no VIN visible on the vehicle. The federal odometer disclosure rules apply regardless of which state owns the title at sale time; boats newer than 2011 need a written odometer reading on the bill of sale or title. If a lien existed on the California title, the California lienholder must release it (REG 227) before Washington DOL will issue a clean title to the buyer.
Generate a state-specific boat bill of sale
Pick the buyer's titling state — the form ships pre-filled with the right odometer block, signature lines, and state-specific fields.
Frequently asked questions — California vs Washington
Is the boat bill of sale form different in California vs Washington?▾
California publishes REG 135 as its official bill of sale form. Washington does not require a specific form — a typed or generated bill of sale that includes buyer, seller, boat details, sale price, odometer reading, and signatures is accepted.
Which state has lower sales tax on a private-party boat sale, California or Washington?▾
Washington (6.5%) has the lower published state rate vs California (7.25%). Local county and city rates can shift this — check the buyer's home county before the sale.
What is the title transfer deadline for a boat in California vs Washington?▾
California requires the buyer to title the boat within 10 days of sale. Washington allows 15 days. Missing the deadline triggers late fees and back-dated registration penalties in both states.
Do I need to notarize the boat bill of sale in California or Washington?▾
Neither California nor Washington requires notarization of the boat bill of sale. A signed document with both parties' full names, addresses, and the date is sufficient.
If I sell a boat in California and the buyer registers it in Washington, which state's rules apply?▾
The buyer titles and registers the boat in Washington — Washington's rules govern the title transfer. The seller's bill of sale should still reflect California sale-side conventions because the sale closed there. Washington DOL will assess 6.5% sales/use tax on the purchase price when the new title is issued, regardless of where the sale occurred.