Free West Virginia Boat Bill of Sale
West Virginia splits its boat bureaucracy in a way that misroutes buyers constantly: the DNR patrols the water and enforces boating law, but ownership lives at the DMV — every motorboat has required a DMV-issued title since July 1, 1989. The transfer paperwork is among the most formal in the country: alongside the seller-signed title and the DMV-MB-6 application, West Virginia requires a NOTARIZED bill of sale, proof of identification, proof that the 6% privilege tax was paid, and a $15 title fee. One more wrinkle sellers should mention and buyers should budget: WV boat registrations run on a fixed 3-year cycle expiring March 31 and do not transfer — the buyer starts fresh.
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West Virginia Boat Bill of Sale — What You Need to Know
Sales Tax Details
The 6% privilege tax applies to motorboat purchases, and the DMV wants documented proof of payment in the title-transfer package. Registration then runs on a 3-year cycle expiring March 31 — and it does NOT transfer with the boat.
Inspection Requirements
No safety inspection applies to boat sales. What West Virginia does insist on is paperwork formality: the bill of sale must be notarized for the DMV to accept the transfer.
West Virginia Boat Sale — Step-by-Step Checklist
- Verify the HIN on the hull against the West Virginia title before paying — any motorboat since mid-1989 should have one.
- Prepare the bill of sale with HIN, make, model, year, length, engine HP, price, date, and both parties' details — then take it to a NOTARY: West Virginia requires the notarized version.
- Seller signs the WV title over to the buyer.
- Buyer completes form DMV-MB-6 (Application for Certificate of Title for a Motor Boat).
- Buyer assembles the full DMV package: signed title, notarized bill of sale, DMV-MB-6, photo ID, proof of 6% privilege-tax payment, and the $15 title fee.
- Buyer registers the boat fresh — the seller's 3-year registration (expires March 31) does not transfer.
- Registration decals go on the hull before the boat operates on West Virginia waters; anything with 3+ HP or 70+ pounds of thrust needs them.
Common Pitfalls
- Skipping the notary — an unsworn bill of sale is the most common reason WV boat transfers bounce at the DMV counter.
- Taking the paperwork to the DNR — it enforces boating law on the water; titles and registration are DMV business.
- Assuming the registration conveys — WV boat registrations are non-transferable, so the buyer registers from scratch even mid-cycle.
- Believing the no-title rumor — every WV motorboat since July 1, 1989 is titled, and a seller who can't produce one has a problem to resolve before closing.
Pro Tip
West Virginia boats: DMV (not DNR), a title on every motorboat since 1989, a NOTARIZED bill of sale in the packet, $15 + proof of the 6% tax — and the registration never rides along.