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Sterling Heights, Michigan Yacht Bill of Sale

Use this bill of sale when selling a yacht in Sterling Heights, Michigan. It documents the transfer and helps you complete DMV title paperwork.

Sterling Heights, MichiganYachtPopulation rank #212

What to include

  • Buyer and seller names and addresses
  • Yacht 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 — Macomb County

DMV / Title Office

MI Secretary of State – Sterling Heights Office

Address

33575 Schoenherr Rd, Sterling Heights, MI 48312

Phone

(888) 767-6424

Office Hours

Mon–Fri 9:00 AM–5:00 PM

Transfer Fees & Taxes

Title Transfer Fee

$15.00

Sales Tax Rate

6.00%

Base Registration Fee

$20.00

Michigan statewide rate 6%

Notarization: NOT REQUIRED

Michigan does not require notarization.

Sterling Heights Transfer Checklist

  • Title transfer at SOS within 15 days
  • 6% use tax at title transfer
  • Seller must sign title and provide odometer disclosure
  • Both parties should retain a bill of sale copy

County Information — Macomb County

County Clerk / Recorder

Macomb County Clerk

Phone

(586) 469-5120

Yacht market data and safety information

The most common yacht makes in private-party sales are Sea Ray, Beneteau, Boston Whaler, Grady-White, Viking. Average private-party yacht prices range from $50,000–$500,000+. Yachts average 1 NHTSA recalls per model across categories including Fuel System, Electrical, Engine.

Safety checkpoints for buying a used yacht

Before completing a yacht bill of sale in Michigan, verify these safety items:

  • Require a professional marine survey before purchase — standard practice for vessels over 26 ft
  • Inspect engine hours, service records, and oil analysis reports
  • Check hull condition with moisture meter and visual inspection below waterline
  • Verify USCG documentation or state registration status

Yacht insurance and depreciation in Michigan

Yacht insurance is 1–2% of hull value annually. Agreed-value policies are standard. Navigation limits and crew requirements affect premiums. Yachts depreciate 10–15% per year for the first 5 years. Well-maintained vessels from premium builders hold value best. Peak season for private yacht sales is fall/winter boat shows drive buyer interest for spring delivery, with an average of 90 days on market.

Yacht registration and titling

Yachts are classified as "USCG-documented vessel (over 5 net tons) or state-registered vessel" for registration purposes. Yachts are classified by length overall (LOA), not weight. Vessels over 65 ft may require a licensed captain. Federal odometer disclosure does not apply to yachts.

Yacht sales in Sterling Heights, Michigan

Sterling Heights residents completing a yacht bill of sale should be aware of local requirements in addition to Michigan state rules. The state sales tax rate is 6%, flat 6% use tax statewide. The most popular yacht makes in Michigan include Sea Ray, Beneteau, Boston Whaler.

Michigan bill of sale statistics

BillOfSaleNow has generated 2,419 bill of sale documents for Michigan transactions, with 65 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 Sterling Heights in, and which office handles title transfers?

Sterling Heights is in Macomb County. Title transfers are handled by the MI Secretary of State – Sterling Heights Office at 33575 Schoenherr Rd, Sterling Heights, MI 48312. Hours: Mon–Fri 9:00 AM–5:00 PM. Phone: (888) 767-6424.

What is the sales tax rate on a yacht sale in Sterling Heights?

The combined rate is 6.00%. Michigan statewide rate 6%.

Is notarization required for a yacht bill of sale in Sterling Heights?

No. Michigan does not require notarization.

What fees should I expect when transferring a yacht title in Sterling Heights?

Title transfer fee: $15.00. Base registration fee: $20.00. Sales tax at 6.00% is collected at the time of title transfer.