A Wisconsin boat bill of sale facilitates the boat buying and selling process, as it transfers ownership of the vessel from one party to another.

Wisconsin has several requirements for your boat bill of sale. If you know these, the process will go smoothly, and you’ll avoid a lot of extra work trying to find paperwork after completing the initial process. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the procedure so you can better understand how it works, and then we’ll help you create your Wisconsin boat bill of sale.

Table of Contents

Wisconsin Boat Bill of Sale Requirements
Wisconsin Boat Bill of Sale Template

Wisconsin Boat Bill of Sale Requirements

When you need a bill of sale for a boat in Wisconsin, you’ll have to ensure it includes the buyer’s and seller’s information, a description of the boat (including make, model, hull ID number, and similar details), the title and registration numbers, the purchase price, the date and location of the sale, and both the buyer’s and seller’s signatures. Though private boat sales don’t usually have a warranty, it should be documented on the Wisconsin boat bill of sale if a warranty is included.

Registering a Boat (After Purchasing)

When buying or selling a boat, it’s critical to understand the registration process, as it helps ensure everyone has what they need to transfer the boat’s ownership from one party to the other.

Where to Register

Wisconsin law requires boat buyers to register their boat at their local Department of Natural Resources office within ten days of purchase. Once registered, renewals can be managed online, at the office, or by mail.

Documents Needed to Obtain Title and Registration

To gain a title and registration for your boat, you’ll need to complete Form 9400-193 (Boat Registration and Titling Application), with the original certificate of title signed by the seller, a lien release (if the boat was financed), payment of all sales taxes and registration fees as found on Form 9400-193, and your Wisconsin bill of sale for the boat.

Fees

Sales tax on your boat is calculated on the second page of Form 9400-193, and several other fees will be assessed based on your situation. These fees are also based on the length of your boat and the type of registration you’re seeking, but the cost is typically less than $100 for boats under 40 feet in length.

Exemptions

From registering:
Vessels exempt from registration include non-motorized boats that are not sailboats, non-motorized sailboats under 12 feet in length, boats registered in another state or country and used less than 60 days a year in Wisconsin, ships’ lifeboats, and boats being operated by a public agency, the military, or other government body.

From titling:
There are no exceptions to titling in Wisconsin on boats 16 feet or longer, even if the boat is not operated in the state’s waters. The owner must hold a title.