A New Mexico boat bill of sale is a written statement that states the change in ownership and purchase price. All New Mexico boat owners must register a newly acquired vessel with the New Mexico Motor Vehicle Department. While a boat bill of sale isn’t strictly required, it’s one way to show a change of ownership when other documents aren’t available.

Table of Contents

New Mexico Boat Bill of Sale Requirements
New Mexico Boat Bill of Sale Template

New Mexico Boat Bill of Sale Requirements

New Mexico only requires a bill of sale for a boat if the vessel’s title or registration is unavailable.

If the title is missing, MVD Form 10009 can be used as a bill of sale. This form is the same as what’s used for motor vehicles but has specific sections for vessels rather than vehicles. There are also specific sections for details such as overall vessel length, vessel beam width, and vessel transom depth. You can ignore the “Vehicle Odometer Disclosure Statement,” but you still need the make, model, and year.

Because a boat bill of sale for New Mexico requires specific details about the boat, the form should be used rather than a handwritten statement reading something like “Boat Bill of Sale – New Mexico.”

Dealers can print out the form, but anyone purchasing a vessel via private party should have it printed out when they buy the boat. Private-party sellers may need to be made aware that the form could be necessary, and it’d be helpful to have it even if the seller has a title (e.g., in case you lose the title).

Registering a Boat (After Purchasing)

After purchasing a vessel, the boat must be registered with the New Mexico Motor Vehicle Department.

Where to Register

Your vessel needs to be registered in person at an NM MVD location. The department’s website has a map of locations.

Documents Needed to Obtain Title and Registration

The easiest way to register a boat is with the title, which has a space for the transference of ownership. The title already has all the necessary details about the vessel (e.g., length, beam, draw).

A New Mexico bill of sale for the boat and vehicle can work if the title is unavailable. The form is MVD Form 10009. This serves as proof of ownership.

If you need to use a bill of sale, you must also fill out MVD Form 10003, an Application for Vessel Title, and Registration.

Regardless of what you file, you’ll need one proof of identity and two proofs of New Mexico residency.

Fees

Titling a boat costs $10 if you need a title. The cost of registering a boat in New Mexico must be paid regardless of whether you have the vessel’s title. Registration cost varies according to length:

Under 16 feet: $28.50
16 – 25 feet: $36.00
26 – 39 feet: $43.50
40 – 64 feet: $51.00
Over 65 feet: $66.00