Free Virginia Boat Bill of Sale
Virginia does title boats. Any boat with a motor on public waters needs a title and a three-year registration from the Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR), not the DMV. In a private sale, the key paper is the original title, signed over by every owner. The bill of sale backs it up, and it becomes the main proof of ownership when the boat was registered but never titled.
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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 →
Virginia Boat Bill of Sale — What You Need to Know
Primary Form
Application for Watercraft Certificate of Title and Certificate of Number (Registration)
Primary ID Field
HIN (Hull ID Number)
Sales Tax
2%
Title Required
Yes
Yes, Virginia titles boats. Any boat with a motor, even an electric trolling motor, needs a title and a registration to use public waters. Sailboats with no motor need only a title once they are longer than 18 feet.
Inspection
Not required
Sales Tax Details
Virginia charges a 2% Watercraft Sales and Use Tax, not the 4.15% motor vehicle tax. It applies to the price of the boat and motor, with no trade-in deduction, and is capped at $2,000 per sale. In a private sale the buyer pays it to DWR with the title application.
Exemption: DWR gives credit for watercraft sales tax paid in another state. If that tax was under 2%, you pay the difference.
Virginia Boat Sale — Step-by-Step Checklist
- Match the 12-character HIN on the transom to the title or registration card. Boats built in 1972 or earlier may use a serial number instead.
- If the boat has a title, every owner named on it signs the assignment of title. A bill of sale alone will not transfer a titled boat.
- If the boat was registered but never titled, get a dated bill of sale signed by every registered owner. DWR uses it as the proof of ownership for the first title.
- List the HIN, make, model year, length, price, and both names and addresses on the bill of sale. Add the make, horsepower, and serial number of any motor over 25 hp. Form BRT-001 asks for the same details.
- Ask the seller if the hull was ever damaged by a collision, fire, sinking, or grounding. Form BRT-001 asks the buyer to answer yes or no on "hull damage".
- Buyer files form BRT-001 and pays the title fee, the registration fee (based on length), and the 2% tax. As of October 1, 2026, DWR lists a $15 title fee and $37 to $55 for three years of registration.
- Seller reports the sale to DWR within 15 days, in Go Outdoors Virginia or on form BRT-010.
Common Pitfalls
- Believing Virginia does not title boats. If the boat has a title and you leave with only a bill of sale, you cannot title it in your name without extra steps.
- Mailing a copy of the title. DWR needs the original, even if you started the application online.
- Paying the wrong rate. The boat pays 2% (max $2,000) to DWR. The trailer is titled at the DMV on form VSA 17A and pays the 4.15% motor vehicle tax.
- Seller skipping the 15-day sale report. The seller can end up with a local personal property tax bill for a boat they no longer own.
Pro Tip
For Virginia boats, the title does the heavy lifting. Get the original signed by every owner, or a dated bill of sale from every registered owner if the boat was never titled. Then file form BRT-001 with DWR and move the trailer separately at the DMV.
Virginia Boat Bill of Sale — FAQs
Does Virginia title boats?
Yes. Every boat with a motor used on public waters needs a title and a registration from DWR, including a john boat or canoe with an electric trolling motor. Sailboats with no motor need only a title when longer than 18 feet. Boats used only on private waters are not titled, and boats documented with the U.S. Coast Guard cannot be.
Can you register a boat in Virginia with a bill of sale?
Yes, if the boat was registered but never titled. DWR asks for a dated bill of sale signed by every registered owner, then issues the title and registration. If the boat already has a title, you must send the original title signed over to you. For a 30-day Temporary Registration Certificate, DWR takes a bill of sale signed by the seller that lists the make, length, model year, and HIN.
How do I transfer a boat title in Virginia?
Every owner on the title signs the assignment. The buyer completes form BRT-001, or starts online at Go Outdoors Virginia, and pays the fees and tax. The original title must go by mail to DWR Boat Section, P.O. Box 9930, Henrico, VA 23228, or in person to the Henrico office. DWR says mailed applications are usually processed within two weeks.
Can you get a new boat title with just a bill of sale in Virginia?
Only if the boat was never titled. If the title is lost, the seller should get a duplicate (form BRT-011, signed by all owners) and sign it over. If the seller cannot or will not, the buyer uses the Affidavit for Transfer (form BRT-004). You send certified letters to the last owner and any lender at least 45 business days before you apply, sign a notarized affidavit, and attach the bill of sale. A boat worth over $5,000 also needs a bond for its value plus 20%.
Can I use the boat before my new registration arrives?
Yes, for 30 days after the sale if the boat has a current Virginia registration. Keep a dated copy of the bill of sale and the previous owner's registration card on board. If the old registration has expired, get a 30-day Temporary Registration Certificate online at Go Outdoors Virginia.
What is the boat sales tax in Virginia?
It is 2% of the price of the boat and motor, capped at $2,000. Any boat priced over $100,000 pays the $2,000 cap. In a private sale, you pay it to DWR with your title application.