Updated September 05, 2023
An Indiana boat bill of sale transfers ownership rights of a certain boat/vessel between a private seller and buyer. In the document, both parties will set forth the terms of the purchase and sale agreement by including details such as the vessel’s condition at the time of sale and the agreed-upon purchase price. New owners will be required to present a bill of sale to the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) in order to prove ownership when registering and titling the vessel under their name.
Signing Requirements – The buyer(s) and seller(s) must each sign the document.
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Registering a Boat
All motorized boats/vessels operating on Indiana waterways must be registered with the Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) unless otherwise exempt.[1] New owners must register and title their recently acquired vessels within forty-five (45) days of purchase. New Indiana residents transferring a vessel from another state must register said vessel within sixty (60) days of establishing residency.
Registrations expire once a year in accordance with the Indiana Expiration Registration Schedule, which sets dates based on the registrants’ last name. Owners may update their registration online upon receiving a renewal notice from the BMV through its myBMV Portal.
Where to Register
All documentation must be presented in-person at a nearby Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) location.
Required Documents
- Bill of Sale or Watercraft Ownership Affidavit (State Form 55100);
- Application for Certificate of Watercraft Title (State Form 38529);
- If taxes were paid, use Certificate of Gross Retail or Use Tax Paid on the Purchase of a Motor Vehicle or Watercraft (Form 48842);
- If tax exempt, use Certificate of Gross Retail or Use Tax Exemption for the Purchase of a Motor Vehicle or Watercraft (Form 48841);
- Application for Special Identification Number – Vehicle or Watercraft and Checklist (if the vessel is missing a hull identification number);
- Valid Indiana Driver’s License or Real ID Documentation;[2] and
- Registration Fees (rates vary based on the vessel’s length).[3]