How to write a bill of sale for a boat.
Learn how to sell your boat properly by creating a bill of sale and using Adobe Acrobat to add signatures online.
Wondering how to write a bill of sale for a boat but not sure how to get started? Selling your boat isn’t as simple as just shaking someone’s hand and depositing a check. Write a bill of sale for your boat to make the exchange official and protect yourself from potential legal issues.
What’s a boat bill of sale?
A bill of sale is a legal document to show the transfer of an item from seller to buyer. It’s like a receipt you get from a store but with much more legal power. It’s typically used for larger purchases like cars, machinery, appliances, and boats.
Since a bill of sale shows the transfer of ownership, the buyer can use it as proof of ownership. The buyer can use the bill of sale to transfer the boat’s title, update the registration, and add insurance.
How to write a bill of sale for a boat in 3 steps.
A bill of sale for a boat might feel like an intimidating document to create since it’s legally binding and important for legal protection. Fortunately, you can follow a few simple steps to get started and get this necessary paperwork sorted as quickly as possible.
When learning how to write a bill of sale for a boat, you’ll also find that the process shares similarities with how to write a bill of sale for a trailer, ensuring comprehensive documentation for your transactions if you’re selling additional equipment.
1. Understand what a boat bill of sale looks like.
Before you get started, you’ll want to have a good idea of what you’re setting out to make. A boat bill of sale typically looks like a basic form with plenty of blank spaces for legal information. It’s usually straightforward and purely practical, consisting of just one page.
2. What to include in a bill of sale for a boat.
When you write a bill of sale for a boat, it’s important to be specific. Use as much detail as possible so both you and the buyer are clear about the agreement before signing on the dotted line. You’ll want to include at least the following information:
- The names, ID information (if required), and contact details for both the buyer and the seller
- The boat’s information, including VIN, make, model, year, and registration number
- The price of the boat
- Conditions of the sale, including any warranties or “as is” status
- Preferred payment method
To make sure you don’t forget anything, it’s a good idea to download a bill of sale template from the internet. Just make sure the bill of sale you choose suits boats and is compatible with your state’s laws.
3. How to format and write a bill of sale for a boat.
If you keep your form simple, you shouldn’t have any trouble fitting all of the necessary information on one page. Besides stating that you’re selling the boat, there’s no reason to add extra explanations or paragraphs.
Your one-page form should be titled “Boat Bill of Sale.” Put spaces for the most key information (names of sellers and buyers, date of purchase) toward the top and then go into more detail (boat information and more) further down on the page.
You can create your bill of sale for a boat in any software that works for you and then convert it to PDF. Once you have a boat bill of sale PDF, you can be sure that your formatting will remain consistent and printable. You can even send your form to your buyer’s phone for a signature, and your form will be just as easy to read and navigate. PDFs are also easy to secure and the most popular choice for official documentation like a bill of sale.
Sign a boat bill of sale PDF online.
Like all legal documents, a bill of sale is only official with the appropriate signatures. To simplify the process, use an online signature with software like Adobe Acrobat so both parties can sign without needing to meet in person.
Explore more about what Acrobat can do to make signing your bill of sale a breeze
