BillOfSaleNow

City release page

Sacramento, California Boat Bill of Sale

Use this bill of sale when selling a boat in Sacramento, California. It documents the transfer and helps you complete DMV title paperwork.

Sacramento, CaliforniaBoatPopulation rank #31

What to include

  • Buyer and seller names and addresses
  • Boat 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 — Sacramento County

DMV / Title Office

DMV Sacramento – Broadway Office

Address

4700 Broadway, Sacramento, CA 95820

Phone

(800) 777-0133

Office Hours

Mon–Fri 8:00 AM–5:00 PM (Thu until 6:00 PM)

Transfer Fees & Taxes

Title Transfer Fee

$23.00

Sales Tax Rate

8.75%

Base Registration Fee

$46.00

California state base 7.25% + Sacramento County/city district taxes 1.5%

Notarization: NOT REQUIRED

California does not require notarization for vehicle transfers.

Sacramento Transfer Checklist

  • Submit Notice of Transfer and Release of Liability (REG 138) within 5 days
  • Buyer must transfer title within 10 days to avoid penalties
  • Smog certificate required for vehicles more than 4 model years old
  • Both parties should keep a copy of the bill of sale

County Information — Sacramento County

County Clerk / Recorder

Sacramento County Clerk-Recorder

Phone

(916) 874-5522

Boat market data and safety information

The most common boat makes in private-party sales are Bayliner, Sea Ray, Boston Whaler, Tracker, Yamaha. Average private-party boat prices range from $5,000–$75,000. Boats average 1.8 NHTSA recalls per model across categories including Fuel System, Electrical, Steering.

Safety checkpoints for buying a used boat

Before completing a boat bill of sale in California, verify these safety items:

  • Verify Hull Identification Number (HIN) matches registration documents
  • Check for delamination, blistering, or water intrusion in fiberglass hulls
  • Inspect transom for softness or rot — the most expensive structural repair
  • Test all bilge pumps, navigation lights, and required safety equipment

Boat insurance and depreciation in California

Boat insurance averages $200–$500/year for boats under 26 ft. Agreed-value policies are preferred over actual-cash-value. Boats depreciate 30–40% in the first 5 years. Aluminum fishing boats hold value better than fiberglass sport boats. Peak season for private boat sales is early spring (march–may) ahead of boating season, with an average of 45 days on market.

Boat registration and titling

Boats are classified as "Watercraft (state-registered) or USCG-documented vessel" for registration purposes. Boats are measured by length, not weight, for registration. Trailers have separate weight-based registration. Federal odometer disclosure does not apply to boats.

Boat sales in Sacramento, California

Sacramento residents completing a boat bill of sale should be aware of local requirements in addition to California state rules. The state sales tax rate is 7.25%, 7.25% base; county/city adds 0.25–3.25% (total up to 10.75%). The most popular boat makes in California include Bayliner, Sea Ray, Boston Whaler.

California bill of sale statistics

BillOfSaleNow has generated 14,217 bill of sale documents for California transactions, with 382 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 county is Sacramento in, and which office handles title transfers?

Sacramento is in Sacramento County. Title transfers are handled by the DMV Sacramento – Broadway Office at 4700 Broadway, Sacramento, CA 95820. Hours: Mon–Fri 8:00 AM–5:00 PM (Thu until 6:00 PM). Phone: (800) 777-0133.

What is the sales tax rate on a boat sale in Sacramento?

The combined rate is 8.75%. California state base 7.25% + Sacramento County/city district taxes 1.5%.

Is notarization required for a boat bill of sale in Sacramento?

No. California does not require notarization for vehicle transfers.

What fees should I expect when transferring a boat title in Sacramento?

Title transfer fee: $23.00. Base registration fee: $46.00. Sales tax at 8.75% is collected at the time of title transfer.