Michigan Boat (Vessel) Bill of Sale Form

To initiate the registration and title process, gather the following paperwork to transport to your closest Michigan Secretary of State facility:

• Bill of Sale, including the year, make, HIN, buyer’s name/address, and seller’s name/address.
• License or ID.
• Manufacturer’s Certificate of Origin (MCO), if the boat is new.
• Payment for registration/title fees and sales tax, if applicable.
• Previous registration, with the seller’s signature, if the boat was previously registered.
• Self-certification procedure, if ownership documents are unavailable and the watercraft is valued at $2,500 or less.
• Surety bond, if ownership documents are unavailable and the watercraft is valued at more than $2,500.
• U.S. Coast Guard Certificate of Documentation, if federally documented.
• Watercraft title, if the boat is required to be titled.

Michigan allows watercraft registered in another state to be used temporarily in Michigan for up to 60 days. For titled watercraft, the title application must generally be submitted within 30 days after transfer.

Source: Michigan Secretary of State (Recreational Vehicles and Watercraft; Watercraft Decal)