Idaho requires an Idaho boat bill of sale when someone sells a vessel in the state. If the boat has a title, you must also give the title to the buyer – Idaho does not require a title on boats manufactured before 2000.
Idaho also charges a 6% sales tax on the purchase price of a boat. Even if the vessel was purchased out of state, you must pay the sales tax unless you can prove that you paid at least 6% to another state.
There are some exceptions to the tax requirement.
Idaho Boat Bill of Sale Requirements
When buying a boat in Idaho, you need a bill of sale. If a seller creates an Idaho boat bill of sale, they need to put several pieces of information in the document, including:
- Date of the sale
- Location of the sale
- The buyer’s and seller’s names and addresses
- A description of the boat
- A description of the trailer, if applicable
- A description of the motor(s), if applicable
- The amount paid for the boat, trailer, and motor(s); these amounts need to be separated
- A notation regarding whether taxes were included in the price
- Any conditions the buyer and seller agree to, including whether the boat is sold “as is” or has a warranty
- The buyer’s and seller’s signatures
Registering a Boat
The easiest way to register a boat in Idaho is to do it online. Any ship, regardless of size, must be registered if it has a motor (including a trolling motor). When you add a trolling motor to an otherwise non-motorized vessel, such as a kayak or canoe, this boat must also be registered because a trolling motor makes the boat motorized.
Where to Register Your Boat in Idaho
In addition to registering your boat online, you can register it at one of these vendors. The list includes over 200 vendors in 100 Idaho, Oregon, Montana, Washington, Utah, and Wyoming communities.
Documents Needed to Obtain Title and Registration
Most registration applicants must provide a bill of sale from the seller. However, if you have an Idaho title and the seller entered the price, you do not need a bill of sale. You also need a transfer form for the title.
Fees
Idaho has several different fees for registering a vessel:
- Vessels 12 feet or less: $30
- Vessels over 12 feet: $30 plus $2 for each foot over 12
- A vendor fee of $1.50 for each vessel
All boat registrations expire on December 31. Additionally, Idaho adds a $10 surcharge for the Idaho Invasive Species Sticker. This fee is included in the renewal fees and does not require a separate sticker.
Exemptions
Idaho does not require a bill of sale if you have an Idaho title with the sale price listed.
Titles are not required for boats manufactured before 2000.
Additional exceptions from titling include:
- Rowboats
- Drift boats
- Kayaks
- Barges
- Canoes
- Inflatables
- Sailboards
- Rafts
- Tenders
- Seaplanes
- Documented vessels
- Outboard motorboats no longer than 12 feet
- Foreign and U.S. government vessels
Does a Boat Bill of Sale Have to be Notarized in Idaho?
The Idaho boat bill of sale does not have to be notarized.
Idaho Boat Bill of Sale Sample
Below, you can download our free Idaho boat bill of sale template in PDF or Word format:
