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Wilmington, Delaware Boat Bill of Sale

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

Wilmington, DelawareBoatPopulation rank #517

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 — New Castle County

DMV / Title Office

Delaware DMV – Wilmington

Address

2230 Hessler Blvd, New Castle, DE 19720

Phone

(302) 434-3200

Office Hours

Mon–Fri 8:00 AM–4:30 PM

Transfer Fees & Taxes

Title Transfer Fee

$35.00

Sales Tax Rate

4.25%

Base Registration Fee

$40.00

Delaware charges a 4.25% document fee (Title Fee) on vehicle transfers — no state sales tax

Notarization: NOT REQUIRED

Delaware does not require notarization for private vehicle sales. A signed title and bill of sale are sufficient.

Wilmington Transfer Checklist

  • Delaware has no sales tax but charges a 4.25% document fee on the vehicle purchase price
  • Title must be transferred at a DE DMV office within 30 days
  • Seller must sign the title assignment
  • Vehicle inspection required at a DE inspection station

County Information — New Castle County

County Clerk / Recorder

New Castle County Recorder of Deeds

Phone

(302) 395-7700

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 Delaware, 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 Delaware

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 Wilmington, Delaware

Wilmington residents completing a boat bill of sale should be aware of local requirements in addition to Delaware state rules. The state sales tax rate is 0%, no sales tax; 4.25% document fee on vehicle price. The most popular boat makes in Delaware include Bayliner, Sea Ray, Boston Whaler.

Delaware bill of sale statistics

BillOfSaleNow has generated 314 bill of sale documents for Delaware transactions, with 9 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 Wilmington in, and which office handles title transfers?

Wilmington is in New Castle County. Title transfers are handled by the Delaware DMV – Wilmington at 2230 Hessler Blvd, New Castle, DE 19720. Hours: Mon–Fri 8:00 AM–4:30 PM. Phone: (302) 434-3200.

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

The combined rate is 4.25%. Delaware charges a 4.25% document fee (Title Fee) on vehicle transfers — no state sales tax.

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

No. Delaware does not require notarization for private vehicle sales. A signed title and bill of sale are sufficient.

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

Title transfer fee: $35.00. Base registration fee: $40.00. Sales tax at 4.25% is collected at the time of title transfer.