Free New Hampshire Boat Bill of Sale
New Hampshire boat sales share the same no-tax advantage as car sales — zero state sales tax and no Use Tax at title or registration transfer. Motorized vessels 16 feet or longer, or those with a 25 HP or greater motor, must be titled through the NH DMV using Form TDMV 19A — the same form used for cars and motorcycles. The Hull Identification Number (HIN) is the primary identifier for all New Hampshire boat transactions. Registration is handled through NH Marine Patrol (Department of Safety), separate from the titling process at the DMV.
Free PDF includes a small watermark at the bottom. Go Pro to remove it. Already subscribed? Sign in.
New Hampshire Boat Bill of Sale — What You Need to Know
Sales Tax Details
New Hampshire has no state sales tax and no Use Tax on private boat sales. No tax is collected at the NH DMV or Marine Patrol when completing a boat title or registration transfer. This zero-tax advantage extends to vessels — buyers from neighboring high-tax states often register boats in New Hampshire.
Inspection Requirements
New Hampshire does not require a state safety inspection for private boat sales. Federal USCG safety equipment requirements apply when operating on New Hampshire waters.
Registration
Registration for this vehicle type is handled by New Hampshire Marine Patrol, Department of Safety — not the same agency that handles cars in New Hampshire. Plan for separate filings.
New Hampshire Boat Sale — Step-by-Step Checklist
- Locate the HIN on the boat — it is a 12-character code permanently affixed to the starboard side of the transom within 2 inches of the top. Confirm it matches the existing title exactly.
- Prepare a bill of sale with the HIN, year, make, model, length, engine horsepower, sale price, sale date, and full names and addresses of both buyer and seller.
- Confirm whether the vessel requires a New Hampshire title: motorized vessels 16 feet or longer or 25 HP or more must be titled; smaller vessels require registration only.
- Seller signs the existing NH boat title over to the buyer. Provide any lien-release documentation if a lienholder is listed on the title.
- Buyer files Form TDMV 19A at any NH DMV location within 20 days of sale for titled vessels.
- Buyer registers the boat with NH Marine Patrol — boat registration and titling are separate steps in New Hampshire.
- No sales tax or Use Tax is due in New Hampshire on private boat sales — the buyer pays only title and registration fees.
- If an outboard motor is sold separately with its own title, transfer the motor title independently. If a trailer is included, it transfers through the County DMV office like any other trailer.
Common Pitfalls
- Confusing DMV titling with Marine Patrol registration: in New Hampshire, motorized boat titles are processed through the NH DMV (TDMV 19A), while boat registration decals and numbers are issued by NH Marine Patrol. Buyers need to complete both steps — titling at the DMV and registration with Marine Patrol.
- HIN errors on the bill of sale: the 12-character HIN must be transcribed exactly. A transposed character between the bill of sale, title, and physical transom marking will cause the DMV to reject the title application. Verify the HIN character by character before signing.
- Overlooking the 25 HP threshold: a small 14-foot aluminum boat with a 30 HP outboard motor requires a New Hampshire title even though the hull is under 16 feet. The title requirement in NH is met by either the 16-foot length OR the 25 HP motor threshold — both trigger the titling requirement independently.
- Not separating trailer title transfer: boat trailers are not handled by Marine Patrol. A trailer included in a boat sale must be separately titled and registered through the NH DMV like any other trailer, with its own VIN-based paperwork.
Pro Tip
New Hampshire boat sales combine the state's well-known zero-tax advantage with a slightly more complex two-agency process: title at the DMV, registration at Marine Patrol. The HIN must be accurate on every document, the motor horsepower determines whether a title is required for smaller boats, and any trailer included in the deal is a separate transaction. Get those three details right and a New Hampshire boat sale is one of the most cost-effective vessel transfers in New England.