Free Ohio Boat Bill of Sale
Ohio watercraft title through the Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Parks and Watercraft — NOT the BMV or County Clerk. Unique: Ohio also titles outboard motors separately (10 HP and above get their own title), so selling a 15HP motor with a boat is actually two title transfers.
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Boats are sold with undisclosed liens far more often than cars. Our guide covers running a title search, decoding the HIN, separating boat and trailer titles, and what a Coast Guard document means for the transfer process. Read: Boat Bill of Sale: Complete Guide →
Ohio Boat Bill of Sale — What You Need to Know
Primary ID Field
HIN (Hull ID Number)
Sales Tax
5.75%
Title Required
Yes
Ohio titles watercraft 14ft or longer and all outboard motors 10 HP or greater, through ODNR. Smaller non-powered craft need registration only.
Inspection
Not required
Sales Tax Details
Same 5.75% state + county permissive tax as cars. Paid to ODNR at title.
Inspection Requirements
No state safety or emissions inspection. USCG federal rules apply to operation.
Ohio Boat Sale — Step-by-Step Checklist
- Verify HIN on transom matches title.
- Verify outboard motor serial AND title separately if motor is 10HP+.
- Complete bill of sale with HIN, length, year/make, motor serial, sale price.
- Trailer is separate — trailer goes through County Clerk + BMV like a car.
- Seller signs ODNR watercraft title over; separately signs motor title if applicable.
- Buyer completes ODNR Watercraft Registration and Title Application.
- Buyer pays 5.75% + county tax to ODNR on total sale price.
- Boat titles DO NOT need notarization (unlike Ohio cars).
Common Pitfalls
- Forgetting to separately title the outboard motor — Ohio titles motors 10HP+ as standalone property.
- Using a notary for boat titles — not required (only car titles need notarization in Ohio).
- Going to BMV or County Clerk for boats — ODNR Parks and Watercraft handles all boat titling.
- Missing separate trailer title through the County Clerk.
Pro Tip
Ohio boats: ODNR Watercraft, not BMV. No notarization. Remember the separate outboard motor title for 10HP+ motors, and the trailer goes separately through the County Clerk.
Ohio Boat Bill of Sale — FAQs
Does Ohio title outboard motors separately from the boat?
Yes — Ohio is one of few states that titles outboard motors 10 HP or greater as separate titled property. A 20HP outboard sold with a boat is actually two title transfers. The motor title accompanies the motor regardless of which boat it's on.
Do Ohio boat titles need notarization?
No. Unlike Ohio's car title notarization rule, watercraft titles do NOT require notarization. Seller and buyer sign the title and file with ODNR — no notary involved.
What watercraft need titles in Ohio?
Ohio titles watercraft 14ft or longer (sailboats and powered vessels) plus all outboard motors 10 HP or greater. Smaller non-powered vessels (kayaks, canoes under 14ft) need only a registration decal, not a title.
Other Ohio Templates
🚘Vehicle Bill of Sale🚗Car Bill of Sale🚙Used Car Bill of Sale🏍️Motorcycle Bill of Sale🚛Trailer Bill of Sale🐴Horse Bill of Sale🏎️ATV Bill of Sale🔫Gun / Firearm Bill of Sale🏕️RV Bill of Sale📄General Bill of Sale🖨️Free Printable Bill of Sale📏Odometer Disclosure Bill of Sale⚠️As-Is Bill of Sale🎁Gift Bill of Sale