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Lawrence, Kansas Boat Bill of Sale

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

Lawrence, KansasBoatPopulation rank #343

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 — Douglas County

DMV / Title Office

Douglas County Tag Office – Lawrence

Address

301 Massachusetts St, Lawrence, KS 66044

Phone

(785) 660-9000

Office Hours

Mon–Fri 8:00 AM–5:00 PM

Transfer Fees & Taxes

Title Transfer Fee

$10.00

Sales Tax Rate

9.30%

Base Registration Fee

$42.50

Kansas state rate 6.5% + Douglas County 1.25% + Lawrence city 1.55%

Notarization: NOT REQUIRED

Kansas does not require notarization for private vehicle sales. A signed title is sufficient.

Lawrence Transfer Checklist

  • Title transfer at the Douglas County Tag Office within 60 days
  • Kansas sales tax collected at title transfer
  • Seller must sign title assignment
  • Personal property tax must be paid before registration

County Information — Douglas County

County Clerk / Recorder

Douglas County Clerk

Phone

(785) 832-5167

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 Kansas, 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 Kansas

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 Lawrence, Kansas

Lawrence residents completing a boat bill of sale should be aware of local requirements in addition to Kansas state rules. The state sales tax rate is 6.5%, 6.5% state plus local taxes (total can exceed 10%). The most popular boat makes in Kansas include Bayliner, Sea Ray, Boston Whaler.

Kansas bill of sale statistics

BillOfSaleNow has generated 712 bill of sale documents for Kansas transactions, with 19 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 Lawrence in, and which office handles title transfers?

Lawrence is in Douglas County. Title transfers are handled by the Douglas County Tag Office – Lawrence at 301 Massachusetts St, Lawrence, KS 66044. Hours: Mon–Fri 8:00 AM–5:00 PM. Phone: (785) 660-9000.

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

The combined rate is 9.30%. Kansas state rate 6.5% + Douglas County 1.25% + Lawrence city 1.55%.

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

No. Kansas does not require notarization for private vehicle sales. A signed title is sufficient.

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

Title transfer fee: $10.00. Base registration fee: $42.50. Sales tax at 9.30% is collected at the time of title transfer.