What county is Tempe in, and which office handles title transfers?
Tempe is in Maricopa County. Title transfers are handled by the AZ MVD – Tempe Office at 1840 E Apache Blvd, Tempe, AZ 85281. Hours: Mon–Fri 8:00 AM–5:00 PM. Phone: (602) 255-0072.
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Tempe, Arizona Personal Watercraft Bill of Sale
Use this bill of sale when selling a personal watercraft in Tempe, Arizona. It documents the transfer and helps you complete DMV title paperwork.
Tempe, ArizonaPersonal WatercraftPopulation rank #132
What to include
- Buyer and seller names and addresses
- Personal Watercraft VIN and vehicle details
- Sale price and date
- Signatures from both parties
Next step
Create a compliant bill of sale and download the signed PDF immediately.
Local Requirements — Maricopa County
DMV / Title Office
AZ MVD – Tempe Office
Address
1840 E Apache Blvd, Tempe, AZ 85281
Phone
(602) 255-0072
Office Hours
Mon–Fri 8:00 AM–5:00 PM
Transfer Fees & Taxes
Title Transfer Fee
$4.00
Sales Tax Rate
8.10%
Base Registration Fee
$8.00
Arizona state rate 5.6% + Maricopa County 0.7% + Tempe city rate 1.8%
Notarization: NOT REQUIRED
Arizona does not require notarization for private vehicle sales.
Tempe Transfer Checklist
- Complete AZ MVD title application within 15 days
- Vehicle emissions testing required in Maricopa County
- Use tax paid at time of title transfer
- Seller must sign the title certificate assignment
County Information — Maricopa County
County Clerk / Recorder
Maricopa County Clerk of the Superior Court
Phone
(602) 372-5375
Personal Watercraft market data and safety information
The most common personal watercraft makes in private-party sales are Yamaha, Sea-Doo (BRP), Kawasaki. Average private-party personal watercraft prices range from $3,000–$20,000. Personal watercrafts average 1.2 NHTSA recalls per model across categories including Fuel System, Steering, Hull.
Safety checkpoints for buying a used personal watercraft
Before completing a personal watercraft bill of sale in Arizona, verify these safety items:
- Inspect hull for spider cracks and stress fractures around mounting points
- Check wear ring and impeller clearance — determines acceleration and top speed
- Verify HIN (Hull Identification Number) matches registration
- Test electronic throttle and reverse operation
Personal Watercraft insurance and depreciation in Arizona
PWC insurance averages $200–$500/year. Many marinas require proof of insurance. PWC depreciate 40–50% in the first 3 years. Three-seat models retain value better than single-seat. Peak season for private personal watercraft sales is april–may before summer water season, with an average of 30 days on market.
Personal Watercraft registration and titling
Personal Watercrafts are classified as "Personal watercraft (state-registered, minimum operator age varies by state)" for registration purposes. PWC are classified by engine hours. Average recreational lifespan is 300–500 hours. Federal odometer disclosure does not apply to personal watercrafts.
Personal Watercraft sales in Tempe, Arizona
Tempe residents completing a personal watercraft bill of sale should be aware of local requirements in addition to Arizona state rules. The state sales tax rate is 5.6%, dealer sales: 5.6% + county. private sales: flat $20 vlt instead. The most popular personal watercraft makes in Arizona include Yamaha, Sea-Doo (BRP), Kawasaki.
Arizona bill of sale statistics
BillOfSaleNow has generated 2,871 bill of sale documents for Arizona transactions, with 77 generated this month alone. The most popular vehicle type is car.
Why Documentation Helps Protect Asking Price
45% faster sale
Vehicles whose listings include a history report spend ~45% less time on site before selling, and report-viewers are 5x more likely to become a lead.
Source: Experian / AutoCheck
$4,000 avg loss
NHTSA estimates 450,000+ vehicles per year are sold with rolled-back odometers — the average victim loses about $4,000 in downstream repair costs.
Source: NHTSA
17.5M private sales/yr
About 17.5 million private-party vehicle transactions happen in the U.S. each year — roughly 47% of the used market.
Source: Cox Automotive 2024
1 in 3 buyers
Roughly 1 in 3 used-car buyers say they suspect private sellers are hiding mechanical problems — documentation closes that trust gap.
Source: JW Surety Bonds (n=3,000)
Frequently asked questions
What is the sales tax rate on a personal watercraft sale in Tempe?
The combined rate is 8.10%. Arizona state rate 5.6% + Maricopa County 0.7% + Tempe city rate 1.8%.
Is notarization required for a personal watercraft bill of sale in Tempe?
No. Arizona does not require notarization for private vehicle sales.
What fees should I expect when transferring a personal watercraft title in Tempe?
Title transfer fee: $4.00. Base registration fee: $8.00. Sales tax at 8.10% is collected at the time of title transfer.