Free Mississippi Boat Bill of Sale
In Mississippi the bill of sale does more work than in most states, because boat titles here are optional. For many used boats there is no title to sign over — the witnessed or notarized bill of sale, plus the old registration, IS the proof of ownership MDWFP accepts. The buyer then has 10 days from the purchase date to register the boat in their name. MDWFP even prints a bill-of-sale section on the back of its own registration application, so one form can cover both jobs.
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Mississippi Boat Bill of Sale — What You Need to Know
Sales Tax Details
MDWFP asks for proof of Mississippi sales tax only when the boat came from a dealer (a copy of the invoice, or a tax receipt from your county tax collector for an out-of-state dealer purchase). Its checklist for a boat bought from an individual asks for no tax receipt. If you are unsure whether tax applies to your purchase, ask the Mississippi Department of Revenue before you file.
Inspection Requirements
No inspection for a normal sale. A boat with no 12-digit HIN (or a wrong one) must be inspected by an MDWFP officer using the MDWFP Boat Inspection Form before it can be registered.
Registration
Registration for this vehicle type is handled by Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks (MDWFP) — transfers are processed at MDWFP headquarters in Jackson only — not the same agency that handles cars in Mississippi. Plan for separate filings.
Mississippi Boat Sale — Step-by-Step Checklist
- Find the 12-digit Hull Identification Number (HIN), usually on the right (starboard) side of the transom, and check it against the seller's registration card. Boats built before November 1972 may carry an older serial number instead.
- Write the bill of sale with everything MDWFP lists: the 12-digit HIN, the current MS registration number (MI-…), total length, make and model, model year, and the printed names and signatures of buyer, seller, and any co-owners.
- Have the bill of sale signed in front of one witness or a notary — MDWFP requires one or the other. A notary is the safer choice if the buyer may later want a title.
- Add the optional details MDWFP suggests: motor serial number, make, model year and horsepower, and the trailer serial number if a trailer is included.
- If the boat or motor already has a title, the seller fills out the "transfer of ownership" section on that title and hands it over with the bill of sale.
- Within 10 days, the buyer sends the Boat Registration Application, proof of the previous registration, the original title (if one exists), the bill of sale, and the fee to MDWFP Boat Registration, 1505 Eastover Drive, Jackson, MS 39211.
- Keep the detachable stub from the paper application (or the online receipt) on board — it works as temporary registration for 60 days while MDWFP processes the paperwork, which takes about four weeks.
- Register the boat trailer separately at your county tax collector's office (it needs a title only if it is over 5,000 lbs). MDWFP does not title trailers.
Common Pitfalls
- Unwitnessed bill of sale: MDWFP asks for a bill of sale signed in front of a witness or a notary. A plain signed note from the seller can be sent back, and the 10-day clock keeps running.
- Missing the 10-day window: Mississippi gives a new owner only 10 days from the purchase date to register the boat — much shorter than the 30 working days buyers get for cars.
- Expecting a new registration number: MDWFP numbers stay with the boat for life. The buyer keeps the same MI- number and displays it on both sides of the bow, so put it on the bill of sale.
- Assuming the boat must be titled: titling is optional in Mississippi, so many used boats have no title at all. Ask for the seller's registration card instead, and make sure the HIN on it matches the hull.
- Forgetting the trailer: it is a separate vehicle registered at the county tax collector (titled if over 5,000 lbs), not at MDWFP.
Pro Tip
A Mississippi boat sale usually comes down to one sheet of paper: a bill of sale with the right details and a witness or notary signature. Get the HIN and registration number right, sign in front of a witness or notary, and mail everything to MDWFP within 10 days. That is the whole job in most cases — titling is only needed if the buyer wants one.