Jet Ski bill of sale
Every state registers a jet ski as a boat, and many title them too. The buyer needs a bill of sale to register it, and the seller needs one to show the watercraft changed hands. This form records the sale under your state's boat rules.
What it covers
- Seller and buyer names and addresses
- Make, model, year, and hull identification number (HIN)
- Engine details and the current registration number
- Price and date of sale, or a gift transfer at $0
- As-is terms, a title warranty, and who pays taxes and fees
- A notary block in states that require one
Finding the HIN
The hull identification number is a 12-character code molded or plated onto the back of the hull, usually on the right side near the top. It should match the registration card, and a missing or altered HIN is a reason to walk away from the sale.
Selling the trailer too
A trailer sold with the jet ski is a separate piece of property, and most states register or title it separately. Record it on its own trailer bill of sale so the buyer can register both.
The state rules applied are the same ones behind our boat bill of sale, where each state's page lists what that state requires.
Common questions
Do I need a bill of sale to sell a jet ski?
In most states, yes. The buyer usually has to show one to register the watercraft in their name, and states that title personal watercraft also require the signed title to be handed over.
Is a jet ski registered like a boat?
Yes. Personal watercraft are vessels under state boating law, so they carry the same registration numbers and decals as other boats, and the same bill of sale rules apply.
What if the registration has expired?
The sale can still go ahead. Record the last registration number on the bill of sale, and the buyer registers the jet ski new in their own name, paying any fees the state charges.