Kansas requires any vessel powered by an electric, gas, or diesel motor to be registered and numbered. It does not require you to title any boat or its motor(s). The state also allows people who use boats temporarily – for up to 60 consecutive days – to use their ships without registering them as long as the boat has a Certificate of Number on board.
While some states allow you to operate your boat while waiting for the registration, especially if you have a bill of sale, Kansas does not allow this.
Kansas Boat Bill of Sale Requirements
A Kansas boat bill of sale should include the following information:
- The buyer and seller’s name, address, home phone, and work phone number.
- The boat year, make length, hull identification, and registration numbers.
- The motor year, make and horsepower.
- The trailer year, make length, vehicle identification number, and the number of axles.
- The date of sale.
- The separate purchase price for the vessel, motor(s), and trailer.
- The buyer’s and seller’s signatures and the date each signed the Kansas boat bill of sale.
Registering a Boat (After Purchasing)
While Kansas does not explicitly require a bill of sale, it makes registering a boat easier since it is proof that you purchased the boat. A bill of sale for a Kansas boat is required in certain circumstances.
Even if you live in another state, if you plan on using the boat for more than 60 consecutive days, you must register the vessel with the Kansas Department of Wildlife & Parks.
Additionally, Kansas requires you to send in a printed picture or a pencil rubbing or tracing of the hull identification number when registering the boat. The hull identification number is a 12-character number.
If a vessel was manufactured before 1973 and doesn’t have a hull identification number, the Kansas Department of Wildlife & Parks (KDWPT) will assign one. Finally, Kansas has personal property taxes – to avoid penalties for the personal property tax on your boat, be sure to list it before March 15 every year with the county appraiser.
Where to Register Your Boat in Kansas
New owners can register a boat at Go Outdoors Kansas, a regional office, a state park, or a boat registration agent. Owners can also complete an Application for Certificate of Number Kansas Boating Act Form and mail it to:
KDWPT Pratt Operations Office
ATTN: Boat Registration
512 SE 25th Ave.
Pratt, KS 67124
Documents Needed to Obtain Title and Registration
When registering a boat in Kansas, you will need the previous owner’s Certificate of Number or a bill of sale. Additionally, if you purchased the boat from a dealer, you will need to submit the STD8 form or a bill of sale showing you paid the sales tax in another state, plus a receipt.
If the sale is private or individual, the deal is tax-exempt. You will need a bill of sale showing that the transaction was from an individual.
Fees
Kansas has one fee for registering a boat: $42.50.
Exemptions
Kansas has no exemptions for boat registration, but the state does not require you to title a boat.
Does a Boat Bill of Sale Have to be Notarized in Kansas?
A Kansas boat bill of sale does not have to be notarized.
Kansas Boat Bill of Sale Sample
Below, you can download our free Kansas boat bill of sale template in PDF or Word format:
