If you are buying or selling a boat in West Virginia, you can use our simple template to transfer ownership of the vessel from one person to the other. Boats purchased from a dealership don’t need a bill of sale.
West Virginia Boat Bill of Sale Requirements
In West Virginia, a bill of sale is required for all private transactions and must include the following:
- The year, make and manufacturer, body type, model, color, title number, and the Hull Identification Number (HIN) of the boat being sold
- The printed name and address of the buyer and seller
- The sale price and the date of sale
- The signatures of the buyer and seller
- The signature of a notary public
Language Requirements
You can write and sign a bill of sale in any language you want in West Virginia, but the state only provides official documents and forms in English. Applicants can contact the Division of Education, Training, and Access to Justice to request the services of a state-provided translator if needed.
Number of Copies
You will need three copies of your boat bill of sale – two for the buyer and seller and another to give to the Department of Motor Vehicles when registering the boat with its new owner.
Registering a Boat (After Purchasing)
You’ll need to register a boat you purchase within 30 days of the day you buy it with the DMV. If you don’t, you could put yourself at risk of incurring late fees.
Where to Register
You can register a boat you purchased with your local DMV office. You can find a list of regional offices on the official West Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles website here. Or, you can mail your forms to:
WV DMV
P.O. Box 17710
Charleston, WV 25317
Documents Needed to Obtain Title and Registration
To register, you’ll need to submit the following documentation:
- The original boat title
- Identification and proof of residence for the new owner
- Proof of insurance
- A notarized bill of sale
- A copy of both the buyer’s and seller’s driver’s license
Fees
Registration in West Virginia follows a three-year cycle. The fees for boat registration are as follows:
- Class Y1A – Watercraft less than 16 feet long – $30 for the first year, $20 for the second year, and $10 for the third
- Class Y11 – Watercraft between 16 feet to 25 feet long – $45 for the first year, $30 for the second, and $15 for the third
- Class Y12 – Watercraft between 26 and 39 feet long – $60 for the first year, $40 for the second, and $20 for the third
- Class Y13 – Watercraft 40 feet and longer – $75 for the first year, $50 for the second, and $25 for the third
Exemptions
All sailboats and boats with motors have to be registered. Only national or state-owned boats are exempt.
Even though there are no exemptions from registration, owners of boats with less than 3 HP and 70 LBS of thrust will not have to pay a registration fee:
- Class Y2A – Watercraft less than 16 feet long
- Class Y21 – Watercraft between 16 to 25 feet long
- Class Y22 – Watercraft between 26 to 39 feet long
- Class Y23 – Watercraft 40 feet and longer
Does a Boat Bill of Sale Have to be Notarized in West Virginia?
A West Virginia boat bill of sale must be notarized to be considered legally binding. The new owner cannot apply for a title or register their watercraft with the state without signing the bill of sale by a qualified notary public.
West Virginia Boat Bill of Sale Sample
Below, you can download our free West Virginia boat bill of sale template in PDF or Word format:
