Washington Boat Bill of Sale
Washington does not require a bill of sale, but the Washington State Department of Licensing recommends one. Fill in the form below and download a free, one-page Washington boat bill of sale PDF that includes everything the Washington State Department of Licensing looks for, matching the fields on Form TD-420-065. Nothing you type leaves your browser.
Seller
Buyer
Boat details
Price and terms
How to sell a boat in Washington
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
- Confirm you hold clear title. If a lender is on the title, get the lien release before you list it.
- Agree on the price and fill in the Washington boat bill of sale above with the buyer. Record the HIN.
- Both parties sign and each keeps a copy. Washington does not require a notary.
- 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.
- Hand over the boat and keep your signed copy of the bill of sale for your records.
Buyer steps
- Bring the signed bill of sale (or Washington's Form TD-420-065), the signed title and your ID to the Washington State Department of Licensing.
- Expect to pay sales or use tax on the price shown on the bill of sale, plus title and registration fees.
- Register within Washington'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.
Washington at a glance
- Bill of sale
- Not required, strongly recommended
- Notary
- Notarization optional
- Official state form
- Form TD-420-065
- Where the buyer registers
- Washington State Department of Licensing (dol.wa.gov)
- License plates
- Stay with vehicle
Washington's Vehicle/Vessel Bill of Sale (420-065) records the sale but does not transfer the title or act as the Report of Sale; the seller files a Vehicle Report of Sale (420-062) separately, online or by mail.
Checked October 2026 against the state's own guidance. Rules change; confirm before you file.
Other Washington forms
- Washington Vehicle Bill of Sale
- Washington Motorcycle Bill of Sale
- Washington Trailer Bill of Sale
- Washington Firearm Bill of Sale
- Washington Mobile Home Bill of Sale
- Washington RV Bill of Sale
- Washington ATV / UTV Bill of Sale
- Washington Dirt Bike Bill of Sale
- Washington Golf Cart Bill of Sale
- Washington Jet Ski Bill of Sale
- Washington Snowmobile Bill of Sale
- Washington Scooter / Moped Bill of Sale
- Washington Equipment Bill of Sale
- Washington Tractor Bill of Sale
- Washington Horse Bill of Sale
- Washington Dog Bill of Sale
- Washington Livestock Bill of Sale
- Washington General Bill of Sale
- Washington Business Bill of Sale
Boat Bill of Sale in other states
Washington boat bill of sale questions
Is a bill of sale required to sell a boat in Washington?+
Washington does not require a bill of sale, but the Washington State Department of Licensing recommends one. Washington's Vehicle/Vessel Bill of Sale (420-065) records the sale but does not transfer the title or act as the Report of Sale; the seller files a Vehicle Report of Sale (420-062) separately, online or by mail. Washington publishes Form TD-420-065 for this; the PDF from this page carries the same information and is accepted alongside it.
Does a Washington boat bill of sale need to be notarized?+
Washington 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 Washington?+
To the Washington State Department of Licensing 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.