A North Carolina boat bill of sale is the notarized document that transfers ownership of a vessel from seller to buyer, and for most boats it is what the buyer submits, along with a VL-1 application, to title and register the boat with the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC). If the bill of sale is missing information or is not notarized, the NCWRC will reject the application.1NC Wildlife. Registration and Titling
What the Bill of Sale Must Contain
The NCWRC publishes a “Bill of Sale for a Vessel” template, but a handwritten document works as long as it carries the same information.2NC Wildlife. Bill of Sale for a Vessel At a minimum, include:
- Full legal names of the buyer and seller. If two people co-own the boat, both sellers sign.
- The calendar date of the sale.
- The purchase price. This figure sets the sales tax the buyer owes.
- The Hull Identification Number (HIN), a 12-character alphanumeric code stamped on the right rear transom. Older or non-standard vessels may have a longer HIN.3NC Wildlife. Vessel Registration and Title Application
- Vessel details: manufacturer, make, model, year, and length.
- The current NC registration number, if the boat already has one.
If the boat has a motor over 25 horsepower, the VL-1 application also asks for the motor’s make, manufacturer, horsepower, and serial number.4NC Wildlife. Vessel Registration and Title Application – Section 6 Even below that threshold, writing the motor details onto the bill of sale is a good idea. It settles later questions about what equipment was actually part of the sale.
The Seller’s Signature Must Be Notarized
North Carolina requires the seller’s signature on the bill of sale to be notarized. An unnotarized document will get your title and registration application rejected.1NC Wildlife. Registration and Titling The notary verifies who the seller is and witnesses the signature, which protects the buyer from a later fraud claim.
Notary fees in North Carolina are capped at $10 per notarial act, so the step is cheap. Both parties should bring valid government-issued photo ID to the appointment. The simplest approach is to sign at the notary together on the day of sale. If the seller cannot appear in person, arranging the transfer becomes more complicated and may require a power of attorney.
When a Bill of Sale Is Your Proof of Ownership
Whether the bill of sale is the main ownership document depends on whether the boat already has a North Carolina title.
If the boat is already NC-titled, the seller signs the existing title over to you, and that signed title is your proof of ownership. You still submit the VL-1, but the title assignment usually replaces the need for a separate bill of sale.5NC Wildlife. Vessel Registration and Title Application – Section 2
If the boat has never been titled, common with older vessels, boats under 14 feet, and boats coming from states that do not issue titles, then the notarized bill of sale is the primary proof of ownership.1NC Wildlife. Registration and Titling Other documents the NCWRC will accept in place of a bill of sale include an out-of-state title, an out-of-state registration, a manufacturer’s statement of origin for a new boat, or estate paperwork if you inherited the vessel.
Two mistakes come up over and over. A buyer shows up with a notarized bill of sale for a boat that already has an NC title but does not bring the signed title itself. Or a buyer takes an untitled boat without getting the bill of sale notarized. Either version means a rejected application and a second trip.
Which Boats Actually Need This Paperwork
Not every boat on the water needs a title, and a few need nothing at all.
A title and registration are required for any motorized vessel, any sailboat 14 feet or longer, and every personal watercraft regardless of size.6North Carolina General Assembly. North Carolina Code Chapter 75A – Boating and Water Safety – Section 75A-34 A motorized boat under 14 feet that is not a PWC still needs to be registered, but titling is optional.
Some vessels are exempt from registration entirely: sailboats 14 feet or under on the load waterline, boats propelled only by paddling, poling, rowing, or drifting, and government-owned vessels.7North Carolina General Assembly. North Carolina Code Chapter 75A – Boating and Water Safety – Section 75A-7 If you are buying an unmotorized canoe or kayak, you do not need a bill of sale for state registration, though keeping one for your own records is still worthwhile.
Submitting the Bill of Sale With Your Application
Every new or transfer registration and title request goes through a single form, the VL-1 Vessel Registration & Title Application.1NC Wildlife. Registration and Titling Both the VL-1 and the bill of sale template are available on the NCWRC website, or at any local wildlife service agent office.
Once your VL-1 is filled out and your bill of sale is notarized, you can submit the packet three ways:
- Online through GoOutdoorsNorthCarolina.com, the state’s licensing portal.1NC Wildlife. Registration and Titling
- In person at a local wildlife service agent, where staff can review the documents on the spot.
- By mail to the NCWRC at 1709 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-1700.8NC Wildlife. Contact Us
The NCWRC estimates four to six weeks of processing time for mailed applications.3NC Wildlife. Vessel Registration and Title Application In person is faster if you need to be on the water soon.
Fees
Registration runs for either one year or three years. Common fee combinations from the VL-1 schedule:3NC Wildlife. Vessel Registration and Title Application
- New or transfer, under 26 feet: $71 for one year, $131 for three.
- New or transfer, 26 feet or longer: $91 for one year, $191 for three.
- Registration only, under 14 feet, no title: $36 for one year, $96 for three.
Sales Tax
North Carolina charges a 3% sales and use tax on the purchase price of a boat, capped at $1,500 per vessel.9North Carolina General Assembly. North Carolina Code 105-164.4 – Tax Imposed on Retailers The cap kicks in at a $50,000 purchase price. The taxable sales price includes accessories attached at delivery, labor to install parts, freight, and other preparation costs.10NC Department of Revenue. Boats and Related Items When you buy from a private seller who does not collect the tax at sale, you still owe it. The NCWRC collects it when you apply for registration and title.
The Trailer Is Separate
The boat and its trailer are two separate pieces of property under North Carolina law, handled by two different agencies. The vessel goes through the NCWRC. The trailer goes through the NC Division of Motor Vehicles, the same as any other towed vehicle.11NCDOT. Other Vehicle Types to Title and Register
If you are buying a boat and trailer together, either break out the trailer price on the bill of sale or write a second bill of sale for the trailer, and get the trailer’s VIN or serial number from its manufacturer’s plate. Without that, you will have problems at both agencies.