An Oregon boat bill of sale is a written record of a boat sale. It names the parties, describes the vessel, and states the price, the payment method and the date. Each side keeps a copy as proof of the sale. It is separate from the certificate of title, the state document that records who owns the boat.
Last Updated: October 2026. This guide is reviewed and updated regularly to reflect current Oregon law. If you notice an error or outdated information, please contact us.
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Any watercraft with any type of motor must be titled and registered with the Oregon State Marine Board. A title is required in order to register.[1]
If a boat has an Oregon certificate of title, the owner transfers it by signing an assignment on the back, with warranty of title. The buyer then takes the signed title to the State Marine Board.
The seller signs the assignment on the back of the certificate, with warranty of title. The seller also lists all unsatisfied security interests shown on the face and gets the signed consent of the holder shown there.[2.2]
Apart from the exception in subsection (2) of the statute, the buyer signs in the application space provided on the certificate and lists any new security interests in order of priority.[2.2]
Within 10 days after the transfer, the buyer presents the certificate and the required fee to the Board. The Board then issues a new certificate of number or registration and a new title to the buyer.[2.2]
Within 30 days after the transfer, the owner of a boat with a valid Oregon identifying number must notify the Board of the transfer.[2.1]
Bill of Sale for an Out-of-State Boat in Oregon
If you bring a boat into Oregon from a state that does not title boats, the Oregon State Marine Board says to obtain three things before you apply for a title or registration.[1]
The prior owner's registration card
A bill of sale
A completed application for boat title or registration
Sign two identical copies of the bill of sale, one for the buyer and one for the seller. The buyer can then show the sale when applying.
What to Include in a Boat Bill of Sale
Oregon has no statute that sets what a boat bill of sale must contain. A complete one still names both parties, identifies the vessel, and records the price, the payment method and the date. The FormsPal template covers each of these details.
The name, address, phone number and email of the seller and of the buyer
The vessel's make, title number, year, color and Hull Identification Number (HIN)
Any trailer or motors sold with the boat, each with its own value
The purchase date and the total price
Whether the price is paid all at once, as a deposit with a later balance, or as a gift
The payment method: cash, check, cashier's check or money order
Whether taxes are included in the price
The template also states that the boat is sold "as is", with no express or implied warranties. In the same part, the seller confirms that he or she owns the boat and that it has no liens or encumbrances.
Download a Free Oregon Boat Bill of Sale Form
Download the free PDF, or answer a few questions and fill out the form online. The PDF has three pages for the sale and a fourth page for the notary. To fill in the downloaded PDF on screen, use our online PDF editor.
Create a free high quality Oregon Boat Bill of Sale online now!
How to Write an Oregon Boat Bill of Sale
These 14 steps follow the order of the form, from the date at the top of page 1 to the notary's seal on page 4. Fill out the PDF or the online form in the same order, and skip any box that does not apply, such as the trailer or a second motor.
The screenshots under each step show the FormsPal Oregon boat bill of sale template filled with sample entries in blue, so you can see where each answer goes. The names, addresses, dates and amounts are examples only.
Date of the bill of sale. Fill in the date of the sale in the DATE box at the top of page 1.Step 1: sample entries, not a real document.
Seller's information. In part 1, fill in the seller's name, street address, city, state and zip code, phone number and email address.Step 2: sample entries, not a real document.
Buyer's information. In part 2, fill in the buyer's name, street address, city, state and zip code, phone number and email address.Step 3: sample entries, not a real document.
Name the seller and buyer in the agreement. In part 3, write the seller's name on the first line and the buyer's name on the second. The sentence then reads as an agreement to sell and to purchase.Step 4: sample entries, not a real document.
Describe the boat. Check the Boat box. Then enter the make, title number, year, color and Hull Identification Number (HIN).Step 5: sample entries, not a real document.
Boat hours and value. On page 2, enter the boat's hours on the Odometer line and its value in U.S. dollars.Step 6: sample entries, not a real document.
Add the trailer and motors. Check Trailer if one is included, then enter its make, license plate number, color, VIN, year and value. Check a Motor box for each motor sold and enter its make, horsepower, serial number and value. Leave unused boxes blank.Step 7: sample entries, not a real document.
Purchase date and total price. In part 4, enter the purchase date and the total purchase price in U.S. dollars.Step 8: sample entries, not a real document.
Choose when the price is paid. Check one option: all at once on the purchase date, a deposit with the balance paid later, or a gift with no payment. For a deposit, enter the deposit amount, the deposit date and the date the balance is due.Step 9: sample entries, not a real document.
Choose the payment method. Select one method: Cash, Check, Cashier's check or Money Order. For a check, add the check number.Step 10: sample entries, not a real document.
Taxes. On page 3, check whether all applicable taxes are included in the purchase price or are not included.Step 11: sample entries, not a real document.
Read part 5, then sign and date. Part 5 on page 3 holds the seller's ownership confirmation and the "as is" terms, so read it before signing. In part 6, the seller and the buyer each sign, print their names and date their lines. The form also has two witness lines, each with a signature, a printed name and a date.Step 12: sample entries, not a real document.
Notary acknowledgment. Page 4 holds the notary acknowledgment. The notary or other officer fills in the county, the date, their name and title, and the name of the person who appeared.Step 13: sample entries, not a real document.
Notary signature and seal. The notary or other officer signs on the signature line and adds the seal.Step 14: sample entries, not a real document.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Do I Transfer Ownership of a Boat in Oregon?
The owner signs the assignment on the back of the certificate of title and gives it to the buyer. The buyer signs it too and presents it to the State Marine Board within 10 days after the transfer.[2.2]
Does the Seller Have to Tell the State Marine Board About the Sale?
Yes, if the boat has a valid Oregon identifying number. The owner must notify the Board within 30 days after the transfer.[2.1]
Do I Need a Bill of Sale for a Boat From a State That Does Not Title Boats?
Yes. For an out-of-state boat from a state that does not title boats, the Board's checklist says to obtain a bill of sale.[1]
Mara has been practicing estate planning and trust law in California since 2003, taking pride in helping clients of all backgrounds and asset profiles form a complete and customized estate plan. Her specialties are: estate planning, wills and trusts, trust and probate administration.
