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Tennessee Boat Bill of Sale

Tennessee does not require a bill of sale, but the Tennessee Department of Revenue recommends one. Fill in the form below and download a free, one-page Tennessee boat bill of sale PDF that includes everything the Tennessee Department of Revenue looks for. Nothing you type leaves your browser.

Tennessee
Boat Bill of Sale

Seller

Buyer

Boat details

Price and terms

How to sell a boat in Tennessee

A boat bill of sale identifies the vessel by its Hull Identification Number (HIN), covers the motor and trailer if they are part of the deal, and records the price and date. Most states register boats through the wildlife or parks agency rather than the DMV, and nearly all of them accept a signed bill of sale as proof of purchase.

Seller steps

  1. Confirm you hold clear title. If a lender is on the title, get the lien release before you list it.
  2. Agree on the price and fill in the Tennessee boat bill of sale above with the buyer. Record the HIN.
  3. Both parties sign and each keeps a copy. Tennessee does not require a notary.
  4. Sign the title over to the buyer exactly as your name appears on it, and complete the odometer section on the title if the boat has one.
  5. Hand over the boat and keep your signed copy of the bill of sale for your records.

Buyer steps

  1. Bring the signed bill of sale, the signed title and your ID to the Tennessee Department of Revenue.
  2. Expect to pay sales or use tax on the price shown on the bill of sale, plus title and registration fees.
  3. Register within Tennessee's deadline, commonly 10 to 30 days from the sale date, to avoid late penalties.

Before you sign

  • The HIN is on the transom (back right corner), 12 characters.
  • List the outboard motor separately with its serial number; motors are often registered or titled on their own.
  • If a trailer is included, add its VIN; the trailer is titled through the DMV, not the boat office.
  • Note whether the sale includes electronics, life jackets or other gear.

Why a bill of sale matters for a boat

  • Boats, motors and trailers can be three separate pieces of property; one bill of sale ties them to one sale.
  • The state boat registration office needs the price for tax.
  • Many used boats have no title; the bill of sale is the ownership chain.
  • An as-is clause matters more on boats, where hidden hull or engine damage is common.

Want both parties to walk away with a signed copy and a notary page ready? The $9 ready-to-sign pack adds them.

Tennessee at a glance

Bill of sale
Not required, strongly recommended
Notary
Notarization optional
Official state form
None published; any signed bill of sale is accepted
Where the buyer registers
Tennessee Department of Revenue (www.tn.gov/revenue/title-and-registration.html)
License plates
Stay with seller

Tennessee county clerks title a used vehicle on the assigned title and odometer statement; a notarized bill of sale is required only when the seller has no title and the buyer applies for certification of ownership. Gifts and low-price sales use the Affidavit of Non-Dealer Transfers. Plates stay with the seller.

Checked October 2026 against the state's own guidance. Rules change; confirm before you file.

Other Tennessee forms

Boat Bill of Sale in other states

All states →

Tennessee boat bill of sale questions

Is a bill of sale required to sell a boat in Tennessee?+

Tennessee does not require a bill of sale, but the Tennessee Department of Revenue recommends one. Tennessee county clerks title a used vehicle on the assigned title and odometer statement; a notarized bill of sale is required only when the seller has no title and the buyer applies for certification of ownership. Gifts and low-price sales use the Affidavit of Non-Dealer Transfers. Plates stay with the seller. Tennessee has no mandatory form, so any complete, signed bill of sale like the one generated here is accepted.

Does a Tennessee boat bill of sale need to be notarized?+

Tennessee does not require notarization. Two signatures are enough. If you want extra certainty, the ready-to-sign pack includes a notary acknowledgment page you can use anyway.

Where does the buyer take the bill of sale in Tennessee?+

To the Tennessee Department of Revenue (Vehicle Services) or the county office that handles vessel registration, together with the signed title, proof of insurance where required, and payment for tax and fees.

Does a boat bill of sale need to be notarized?+

A handful of states ask for a notarized bill of sale on vessels without a title. Check the state registration page linked on each state page here, or use the notary block in the ready-to-sign pack.

Do I need a separate bill of sale for the trailer?+

You can list the trailer on the same document, but some DMVs want a separate bill of sale for the trailer because it is titled separately. Generate one on the trailer page in a minute.