Updated September 12, 2023
A Tennessee boat bill of sale is a document that provides a record of the transfer of ownership of a boat in the State of Tennessee. The bill of sale will provide identifying information for the seller and the buyer, a description of the vessel, and the terms of the change of ownership and identification of the watercraft. This document is required to register a boat and can be helpful for tax purposes.
Signing Requirements – Both the buyer and the seller must sign the bill of sale, but it does not need to be notarized.
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Registering a Boat
All motorized boats and sailboats which are principally used in Tennessee must be registered with the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA). (Boats propelled by paddles or oars do not have to be registered.) After purchasing a boat, or bringing a boat that was previously registered in another state to Tennessee, the buyer has 60 days to register, during which a “temporary registration” will be in effect. Registration may be obtained in one-, two- or three-year increments. Renewals may be completed online or at sporting goods stores that provide TWRA hunting and fishing licenses.
Where to Register
Registration documents must be submitted at the office of the County Clerk in the county of residence of the boat’s buyer.
Required Documents
- An Application for Boat Certificate of Number. This form is not available online, but may be obtained through a County Clerk office, or from a dealership if the boat was purchased from a Tennessee dealer
- A bill of sale
- If the vessel was purchased from an owner who had previously registered the boat in another state, proof of previous registration is needed. (A signed title form may be useful for this requirement, but boats are not titled in Tennessee)
- Proof of payment of registration fees. The amount will depend on the period of registration and the length of the vessel, as per this fee schedule