The Arkansas boat bill of sale form creates a detailed account of the essential components constituting the sale of a vessel and the individuals involved in the transaction. The form generally entails an agreement on a determined purchase price, along with the buyer, seller, and watercraft specifics. A bill of sale also provides sufficient proof of ownership as well as securing liability once the vessel has been transferred to another individual.

How to Register a Boat

Once a boat has been purchased, the buyer then has 30 days to register in the state of Arkansas to avoid fines. All boats that are propelled by a motor or sail must be registered within the state and must keep an Arkansas Certificate of Number (registration) on the boat when it is in use. If a vessel is legitimately registered in another state and the boat is to be used on Arkansas water for a term of 90 days or less, it is exempt from registration.

Arkansas requires additional verification of the authenticity of the identification number associated with the hull of the boat. When registering your watercraft, you will want to come prepared with proof of hull ID by either taking a photograph with the hull ID visible on the vessel or produce a physical rubbing with a pencil on paper of the legible ID.

You will then want to visit your local State Revenue Office location with the following necessary documentation:

• A bill of sale or a current registration from the previous owner. (Make sure that if the trailer to your boat is not included on the bill of sale that you have a separate bill of sale to ensure proof of ownership.)
• Evidence of a boat assessment performed by an authorized Arkansas County Assessor.
• Proof that your property taxes have been paid either with the official stamp visible on your boat assessment paperwork or you can furnish a credible receipt from your local county tax assessor.
• Active liability insurance on any propelled personal watercraft of 50 horsepower or more. Proper insurance is considered at least $50,000 in coverage in the state of Arkansas (AR Code § 27-101-207).
• Payment for all state fees and taxes.

 How to Write

Step 1 – Download in Adobe PDF.

Step 2 – Enter the amount for which the boat was purchased.

Step 3 – Buyer/Seller Information – Submit the prompted information associated with the seller and buyer of the watercraft:

• Name
• Address
• City
• State
• Zip Code

Step 4 – Description of Vessel – Complete the portion of the form corresponding to the necessary information about the boat involved in the sale:

• Make
• Year
• Hull ID Number
• Registration Number
• Title Number
• Motor Model
• Year (of Motor)
• Odometer Reading (in hours)

Step 5 – Description of Trailer – Make sure to document the information on the trailer for the boat as well (if there is a trailer included in the exchange):

• Make
• Model
• Year
• Serial Number

Step 6 – Include notation in the next part of the form only if the vessel is still under a loan or if there are any claims to ownership other than the seller.

Step 7 – Have both buyer and seller sign the document along with a date of signature.

Step 8 – There are spaces provided for a notary to oversee the endorsements and attest to the agreement. There are also included sections for witness identification, and signatures should you choose to involve these parties to further the legitimization of the contract.