Updated September 15, 2023
A Massachusetts vehicle/boat bill of sale is a legal document that may be used to provide proof of purchase and change of ownership of any vehicle or boat. This form provides important information about the buyer, the seller, and the vehicle or boat. It is also required to register at a Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) Location.
Signing Requirements – The buyer and seller are required to sign the document.
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Registering a Vehicle
Vehicle owners have ten (10) days from the date of acquisition to register their vehicle. Registration lasts one or two years depending on the type of plate. Renewal is available online or by mail.
Odometer Disclosure Statement (Federal Form) – This form must be attached to the bill of sale if the vehicle is under ten (10) years old or sixteen thousand (16,000) pounds.
Where to Register
Vehicle owners can submit their registration applications at a Registration Drop Off Center or a Registry of Motor Vehicles Office.
Required Documents
- Bill of Sale;
- Odometer Disclosure Statement (Federal Form);
- Certificate of Title (titles can be replaced by applying online or by mail);
- Valid driver’s license;
- Massachusetts Motor Vehicle Power of Attorney is required if an individual other than the owner registers the vehicle on the owner’s behalf;
- Registration and Title Application;
- Registration Fees[1]; and
- Proof of Insurance with Minimum Requirements[2]:
- $20,000 per person for bodily injury;
- $40,000 per accident for bodily injury;
- $8,000 per person, per accident for personal injury protection;
- $20,000 per person for bodily injury caused by an uninsured auto;
- $40,000 per accident for bodily injury caused by an uninsured auto; and
- $5,000 for damage to someone else’s property.
Registering a Boat
A new boat owner has twenty (20) days from the date of acquisition to register the boat with the state of Massachusetts. Owners can renew their boat registrations online, by mail with the pre-addressed envelope with their renewal notice, or in person at a registration office.
Where to Register
Owners can register their boats in person at a registration office or mail the required documents to a registration office with a check or money order made payable to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Required Documents
- Bill of Sale;
- Certificate of Payment of Sales or Use Tax for Boat, Recreation or Snow Vehicle;
- Certificate of Title (for boats fourteen feet or longer);
- Manufacturer’s Statement of Origin (if purchased brand new from a dealer, store, or internet sale)
- Pencil tracing of the hull ID number;
- Registration and Titling Application; and
- Registration Fees[3].