BillOfSaleNow

City release page

Gulfport, Mississippi Boat Bill of Sale

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

Gulfport, MississippiBoatPopulation rank #507

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 — Harrison County

DMV / Title Office

Harrison County Tax Collector – Gulfport

Address

1801 23rd Ave, Gulfport, MS 39501

Phone

(228) 865-4087

Office Hours

Mon–Fri 8:00 AM–5:00 PM

Transfer Fees & Taxes

Title Transfer Fee

$9.00

Sales Tax Rate

5.00%

Base Registration Fee

$14.00

Mississippi 5% use tax on private vehicle purchases

Notarization: NOT REQUIRED

Mississippi does not require notarization.

Gulfport Transfer Checklist

  • Title transfer at Harrison County Tax Collector within 30 days
  • 5% use tax on private purchases
  • Seller must sign title
  • Odometer disclosure required

County Information — Harrison County

County Clerk / Recorder

Harrison County Circuit Clerk

Phone

(228) 865-4033

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 Mississippi, 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 Mississippi

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 Gulfport, Mississippi

Gulfport residents completing a boat bill of sale should be aware of local requirements in addition to Mississippi state rules. The state sales tax rate is 5%, 5% reduced vehicle sales tax rate statewide. The most popular boat makes in Mississippi include Bayliner, Sea Ray, Boston Whaler.

Mississippi bill of sale statistics

BillOfSaleNow has generated 724 bill of sale documents for Mississippi transactions, with 20 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 Gulfport in, and which office handles title transfers?

Gulfport is in Harrison County. Title transfers are handled by the Harrison County Tax Collector – Gulfport at 1801 23rd Ave, Gulfport, MS 39501. Hours: Mon–Fri 8:00 AM–5:00 PM. Phone: (228) 865-4087.

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

The combined rate is 5.00%. Mississippi 5% use tax on private vehicle purchases.

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

No. Mississippi does not require notarization.

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

Title transfer fee: $9.00. Base registration fee: $14.00. Sales tax at 5.00% is collected at the time of title transfer.