In North Carolina, a boat bill of sale is required to register a new vehicle when a title isn’t available. A specific bill of sale form is unnecessary, but certain information must be shared when buying or selling a vessel. The requirements are listed below, or you can use a pre-formatted North Carolina boat bill of sale.
North Carolina Boat Bill of Sale Requirements
North Carolina doesn’t have a single form to be used as a boat bill of sale. North Carolina residents should present specific information on any form they use or bill of sale they manually write up. The required information includes the following:
- Basic buyer and seller information (names and signatures)
- Transaction details (date and price)
- General boat details (year, make, and model)
- Specific boat details (registration number and hull identification number)
- Title number (if applicable and an NC number)
- Notarization (a notary will have the necessary template)
The first buyer must provide their full name. Sellers and additional buyers are encouraged to use their full names but only have to provide their first names. A full signature is required of all parties involved.
Registering a Boat (After Purchasing)
After purchase, you can register a boat using either the title or bill of sale for boats. Registration is through the NC Wildlife Commission.
Where to Register
In North Carolina, newly purchased boats must be registered in person with the Wildlife Commission. You can find a local Wildlife Service Agent by county.
Documents Needed to Obtain Title and Registration
If you already have a title for the boat, the title has a space to transfer ownership. This alone can be used to register the vessel under your name. Submit this with Form VL-1 (NC Vessel Registration & Title Application).
If you don’t have a title for the vessel, you can submit Form VL-1 along with the bill of sale. A North Carolina boat bill of sale must meet all the above requirements.
Fees
North Carolina allows boat owners to register annually or every three years. The registration fees are as follows:
- Vessels under 14 feet long: $35/year or $95/3 years
- Vessels 15–25 feet long: $70/year or $130/3 years
- Vessels over 25 feet long: $90/year or $190/3 years
- USCG Documented Vessel under 26 feet long: $35
- USCG Documented Vessel over 26 feet long: $55
A missing title adds $20 to any of these prices, except for boats under 14 feet that don’t need a title.
Exemptions
Boats under 14 feet in length don’t need a title in North Carolina. However, they still must be registered.
North Carolina Boat Bill of Sale Template
Below, you can download a North Carolina boat bill of sale in PDF or Word format:
Does a Boat Bill of Sale Have to be Notarized in North Carolina?
Yes, a North Carolina bill of sale for a boat must be notarized.
