Free Wisconsin Boat Bill of Sale
Wisconsin is one of the few states that literally hands boat buyers and sellers their paperwork: the DNR publishes a seller's checklist, a buyer's checklist, and a sample bill of sale for private boat deals. The mechanics: the DNR (not the DOT) titles every motorized boat and sailboats 16 feet and longer, the seller fills out the assignment on the back of the Certificate of Title — including the sale price and the buyer's full legal name — and the buyer files Form 9400-193 (Boat Registration and Titling Application) within 10 days of the sale and before operating on Wisconsin waters. The title fee is a modest $5, and the 5% state tax (plus 0.5% county in most places) is collected at filing.
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Wisconsin Boat Bill of Sale — What You Need to Know
Sales Tax Details
5% Wisconsin sales tax plus the 0.5% county tax in most counties — the same rates as cars — collected when the buyer files the title application. Title fee is $5.
Inspection Requirements
No safety inspection applies to boat sales in Wisconsin. The paperwork check is the HIN and a fully completed title assignment.
Wisconsin Boat Sale — Step-by-Step Checklist
- Verify the HIN on the transom against the Certificate of Title before paying.
- Complete a bill of sale with HIN, length, year, make, motor serial, sale price, date, and both signatures — the DNR's published sample is a good template.
- Seller: complete the FULL assignment on the back of the title — signature, date of sale, sale price, and the buyer's legal name and address. Don't sign until you've been paid (the DNR's own advice).
- Two owners joined by "and" on the title? Both must sign the assignment.
- Buyer files Form 9400-193 with the DNR within 10 days of sale — and before putting the boat on Wisconsin water.
- Buyer pays 5% state + 0.5% county sales tax plus the $5 title fee.
- The trailer transfers separately through WisDOT with the MV1 — a different agency and a different form.
Common Pitfalls
- Filing with the DOT — Wisconsin boats go through the DNR; the DOT handles the trailer underneath.
- An incomplete title assignment — Wisconsin's back-of-title section wants the sale price and buyer's full legal name, not just a signature; missing fields bounce the transfer.
- Missing the 10-day window — one of the shorter boat deadlines in the country, and it applies before the buyer can legally operate the boat.
- Only one signature on an "and" title — co-owned Wisconsin boats need every listed owner to sign the assignment.
Pro Tip
WI boats: DNR + 9400-193 + 5.5% tax + HIN.