Is a bill of sale required to sell a boat in California?

While California law allows ownership transfer via an endorsed California Certificate of Ownership (Certificate of Title), executing a statutory Bill of Sale (Form SBF-CA-BOAT or CA DMV Form REG 135) is strongly advised and frequently required. It provides mandatory legal proof of purchase price for California Use Tax assessment, itemizes the outboard motor and trailer values, establishes the exact minute of transfer for seller liability release, and serves as primary evidence if title assignment spaces are full.

How do I transfer a boat title with the California DMV?

To transfer a California vessel title: (1) The seller signs and endorses the Certificate of Ownership (Pink Slip) and provides this bill of sale; (2) The seller files a Notice of Transfer and Release of Liability (Form REG 138 or online NRL) within 5 calendar days under CVC § 9980; (3) Within 10 calendar days, the buyer visits a CA DMV field office or submits Form REG 135, pays the vessel transfer fee, trailer PTI fee, and California Use Tax based on the county of registration.

How is California Use Tax calculated when buying a boat?

Under California Revenue and Taxation Code § 6201, California Use Tax applies to private party vessel transfers at the statewide base rate of 7.25% plus applicable local district sales and use taxes (totaling 7.25% to 10.75% depending on the buyer's county and city). Itemizing the purchase price into vessel hull, outboard motor, and boat trailer on Form SBF-CA-BOAT ensures accurate tax assessment and prevents overpayment.

How long does a seller have to report a boat sold in California?

Under California Vehicle Code § 9980, the seller must submit a Notice of Transfer and Release of Liability (Form REG 138 or online NRL at dmv.ca.gov) within 5 CALENDAR DAYS of delivering the vessel. Filing this statutory notice terminates the seller's civil liability for subsequent harbor mooring infractions, abandoned vessel towing and impound costs, waterway citations, and personal injury accidents.

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

The California DMV does not mandate notary acknowledgment for standard vessel transfers if the title is properly endorsed. However, having Section G notarized is strongly advised for high-value marine transactions, vessels without existing CF registration cards, out-of-state boat purchases, or when executing private financing agreements to protect both parties from fraud.

Free California Boat Bill of Sale Form (DMV REG 135 PDF)

FORM SBF-CA-BOAT Statutory Year: 2026

California Vehicle Code §§ 9852 & 9980 • Harbors & Navigation Code § 650

STATE OF CALIFORNIA STATUTORY BILL OF SALE

Vessel & Watercraft Bill of Sale • Marine Transfer Statement

Compliant with California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) & DBW Vessel Transfer Standards

KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS: That the undersigned Seller, for and in consideration of the total purchase price set forth herein, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, does hereby bargain, sell, assign, transfer, and deliver unto the undersigned Buyer all legal rights, title, equity, and interest in and to the vessel, outboard motor, and boat trailer described below, to have and to hold forever.

Section A: Jurisdiction & Location of Sale State of California

State:

California County *:

Section B: Complete Vessel (Hull) Description California DMV Vessel Record

Year Built *

Make / Builder *

Model Name / Number *

Length (Ft & In) *

Hull Material

Vessel Type

California CF Reg. # *

Hull ID Number (HIN - Exactly 12 Characters) *

Section C: Outboard Motor & Boat Trailer Specifications California Use Tax & PTI Registration Breakdown

Outboard Motor Make

Motor Year

Horsepower (HP)

Motor Serial Number

Trailer Included

Trailer Make

Trailer Year

Trailer VIN / Serial # (17 Digits)

Section D: Identification of Parties (Transferor & Transferee) Must Match California DMV Vessel Title Records

1. SELLER (Transferor Information) Physical Address Only (No P.O. Box)

Full Legal Name *

Physical Address (No P.O. Box) *

City *

State

ZIP Code *

Phone Number

CA Driver License #

2. BUYER (Transferee Information) For CA DMV Registration & Use Tax

Full Legal Name *

Physical Address (No P.O. Box) *

City *

State

ZIP Code *

Phone Number

Driver License #

Section E: Financial Consideration & Price Breakdown Basis for California Use Tax (Cal. Rev. & Tax. Code § 6201)

Vessel Price:

Motor Price:

Trailer Price:

TOTAL PRICE *:

Date of Sale *:

Payment Method: Cash Cashier's Ck Personal Ck Wire Gift/Trade

Section F: Marine "AS-IS" Warranty Disclaimer & Notice of Release Cal. Com. Code § 2316 • CVC § 9980 Liability Release

STATUTORY AS-IS DISCLAIMER (CAL. COM. CODE § 2316): The vessel, outboard motor, and boat trailer are sold strictly "AS-IS, WHERE-IS" WITH ALL FAULTS. Seller disclaims all warranties, express or implied, including merchantability, fitness for a particular marine purpose, or seaworthiness. Seller assumes no post-sale repair or structural liability. Buyer acknowledges having inspected or voluntarily waived the right to inspect.

SELLER NOTICE (CVC § 9980): Seller must file a Notice of Release of Liability (Form REG 138 / online NRL at dmv.ca.gov) within 5 CALENDAR DAYS to cancel mooring, towing, and civil liabilities. BUYER NOTICE (CVC § 9901): Buyer must apply for title transfer with CA DMV within 10 CALENDAR DAYS, present title and Bill of Sale, and pay California Use Tax (7.25%–10.75%) and Quagga Mussel fees.

Section G: Signatures & State of California Notary Public Acknowledgment California DMV Vessel Title Compliance

Seller (Transferor) Signature Must match California title

Signature: ✕

Seller Printed Name

Date

Buyer (Transferee) Signature For CA DMV Form REG 135

Signature: ✕

Buyer Printed Name

Date

STATE OF CALIFORNIA COUNTY OF: (Recommended for private marine records)

A notary public or other officer completing this certificate verifies only the identity of the individual who signed the document to which this certificate is attached, and not the truthfulness, accuracy, or validity of that document.

Subscribed and sworn to before me on this _____ day of ____________, 2026, by ____________________________, proved to me on satisfactory evidence to be person(s) who appeared before me.

Notary Public Signature

MM/DD/YYYY

My Commission Expires

★ Affix Notary Seal
/ Stamp Here

FORM SBF-CA-BOAT (Rev. 2026) • StateBillForms.com California Vehicle Code §§ 9852, 9901 & 9980 • Harbors & Navigation Code § 650 PAGE 1 OF 1

Official Marine Procedure

California DMV 3-Step Private Vessel Title Transfer Guide

Follow California statutory requirements under the California Vehicle Code (CVC) and Harbors and Navigation Code to legally transfer boat ownership, protect the seller from mooring liabilities, and register the trailer.

Endorse Certificate of Ownership (Pink Slip)

The seller signs and endorses the original California Certificate of Ownership (Pink Slip), inserting the exact purchase price and date of sale. Both parties execute Form SBF-CA-BOAT to establish itemized valuations for the vessel hull, outboard motor, and boat trailer.

Seller Files Notice of Transfer (within 5 Days)

Under CVC § 9980, the seller must submit a Notice of Transfer and Release of Liability (Form REG 138 or online NRL at dmv.ca.gov) within 5 CALENDAR DAYS of sale. This releases the seller from harbor mooring citations, abandoned vessel fees, and civil liability.

Buyer Registers & Pays Use Tax (within 10 Days)

Within 10 CALENDAR DAYS of delivery (CVC § 9901), the buyer visits a CA DMV field office with the endorsed title and Bill of Sale, pays the California Use Tax (ranging from 7.25% to 10.75%), vessel transfer fees, and trailer Permanent Trailer Identification (PTI) fees.

Statutory Summary

California Vessel Legal & Titling Summary

Statutory standards, deadlines, and agency rules governing private boat and marine transactions under the California Vehicle Code and California Revenue & Taxation Code.

Requirement / Element	California Statutory Standard	Legal Authority
Governing Agencies	California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) & Division of Boating and Waterways (DBW)	CVC § 9850 et seq. • Harbors & Nav. Code § 650
Official Bill of Sale Form	CA DMV Form REG 135 / Statutory Form SBF-CA-BOAT	CVC § 1652 • CVC § 9852
Seller Notice of Release Deadline	5 calendar days: Seller must submit Notice of Transfer and Release of Liability (REG 138 / online NRL)	CVC § 9980
Buyer Transfer & Registration Deadline	10 calendar days: Buyer must apply for certificate of ownership and registration transfer with CA DMV	CVC § 9901
California Use Tax Assessment	7.25% statewide base tax + local district taxes (total 7.25%–10.75%) assessed on purchase price	Cal. Rev. & Tax. Code § 6201
Hull Identification Number (HIN)	Standard 12-character format compliant with U.S. Coast Guard marine regulations	33 CFR § 181.25 • CVC § 9871
Quagga & Zebra Mussel Fee	Biennial fee required for motorized recreational vessels operating on California freshwater waterways	Harbors & Nav. Code § 675
Boat Trailer Titling & PTI	Trailers registered under California Permanent Trailer Identification (PTI) program or issued title	CVC § 5014.1
Marine "AS-IS" Warranty Disclaimer	Statutory exclusion of implied warranties of merchantability, fitness, and seaworthiness	Cal. Com. Code § 2316

Frequently Asked Questions

California Boat Bill of Sale & Title FAQs

Authoritative answers to the most common questions regarding private boat transactions, CA DMV vessel regulations, and California Use Tax calculations.