Boats and watercraft
Boats may be titled, registered or documented, depending on size and use. A documented vessel may involve a federal record, while a smaller boat uses state paperwork. The hull identification number is the key identifier. Compare the number on the paper to the plate on the hull before signing.
A bill of sale for a boat often lists the engine, any trailer included and the condition. If the vessel carries a lien, a release is needed first.
Trailers
Trailers can be titled, or in some places only registered. Check whether your trailer has a title at all before agreeing to a sale. If it does, the title follows the same rules as a car: owner names, lien information and assignment signatures.
A frequent problem is a trailer sold with a boat, where the paperwork covers the boat but not the trailer. Ask whether each has its own title.
Motorcycles and small vehicles
Motorcycles, scooters and off-road vehicles generally use the title process of the vehicle agency. Mopeds and ATVs sometimes have lighter rules. Look at the engine size and intended road use, then look at the agency's instruction page.
Have the vehicle identification number checked against the frame, not just the paper.
What the notary contributes
The notary verifies identity, observes signatures, and notarizes forms that ask for it. Typical examples are a bill of sale, an affidavit of ownership, a lost title statement or a power of attorney for an out-of-state owner. The notary does not inspect the craft and cannot confirm the odometer or hours.
If the seller lives far away, a power of attorney may let a local person sign. That document can itself be notarized.
Preparing for the meeting
Bring original title or registration, identification, the lien release if applicable, and the agency's forms. Both parties should have a copy of the bill of sale. Let the notary see the full document before anyone signs.
Never let someone sign only the last page; the notary needs to see the full paper if the notarial certificate attaches to it.
Checklist for a trailer and boat sold together
Start by asking for both titles. Then compare the vehicle identification number on the trailer frame with the paper. Check the hull number on the boat against its title or registration. Confirm that the same owner's name appears on both.
Next, write one bill of sale that lists each item separately, with serial numbers and the price assigned to each, or a clear single price. If the boat has a motor with its own serial number, list it. Both parties sign, and the notary may be asked to notarize.
Finally, plan the registrations. Boats and trailers may be registered in different offices or at different times. Ask each agency about deadlines and whether the buyer can use the boat before registration is complete. Do not assume the rules match those for cars. Sellers should also remove their registration decals if the agency instructs that.
Common questions
Do I need a notary to register a boat?
It depends on the agency and the type of vessel. Check with the registering office.
Can the notary sign as a witness to the sale itself?
A notary can act as a witness to signatures, but cannot vouch for the item or the deal.
Is an out-of-state title acceptable?
Often yes, but the agency may ask for extra documents. Confirm before the sale.
More notary guides
- Notary Visits to Jails and Prisons: How They Work
- Apostille vs Notarization: What Each One Proves
- Do You Need a Notary for a Lease Agreement?
This guide is general information, not legal advice. Fees and procedures change; check with the office involved or an attorney for your situation.