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Hattiesburg, Mississippi Personal Watercraft Bill of Sale

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

Hattiesburg, MississippiPersonal WatercraftPopulation rank #839

What to include

  • Buyer and seller names and addresses
  • Personal Watercraft 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 — Forrest County

DMV / Title Office

Forrest County Tax Collector

Address

630 Main St, Hattiesburg, MS 39401

Phone

(601) 545-6053

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.

Hattiesburg Transfer Checklist

  • Title transfer at Forrest County Tax Collector within 30 days
  • 5% use tax applies
  • Seller must sign title assignment
  • Odometer disclosure required for vehicles under 10 years old

County Information — Forrest County

County Clerk / Recorder

Forrest County Circuit Clerk

Phone

(601) 545-6014

Personal Watercraft market data and safety information

The most common personal watercraft makes in private-party sales are Yamaha, Sea-Doo (BRP), Kawasaki. Average private-party personal watercraft prices range from $3,000–$20,000. Personal watercrafts average 1.2 NHTSA recalls per model across categories including Fuel System, Steering, Hull.

Safety checkpoints for buying a used personal watercraft

Before completing a personal watercraft bill of sale in Mississippi, verify these safety items:

  • Inspect hull for spider cracks and stress fractures around mounting points
  • Check wear ring and impeller clearance — determines acceleration and top speed
  • Verify HIN (Hull Identification Number) matches registration
  • Test electronic throttle and reverse operation

Personal Watercraft insurance and depreciation in Mississippi

PWC insurance averages $200–$500/year. Many marinas require proof of insurance. PWC depreciate 40–50% in the first 3 years. Three-seat models retain value better than single-seat. Peak season for private personal watercraft sales is april–may before summer water season, with an average of 30 days on market.

Personal Watercraft registration and titling

Personal Watercrafts are classified as "Personal watercraft (state-registered, minimum operator age varies by state)" for registration purposes. PWC are classified by engine hours. Average recreational lifespan is 300–500 hours. Federal odometer disclosure does not apply to personal watercrafts.

Personal Watercraft sales in Hattiesburg, Mississippi

Hattiesburg residents completing a personal watercraft 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 personal watercraft makes in Mississippi include Yamaha, Sea-Doo (BRP), Kawasaki.

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 Hattiesburg in, and which office handles title transfers?

Hattiesburg is in Forrest County. Title transfers are handled by the Forrest County Tax Collector at 630 Main St, Hattiesburg, MS 39401. Hours: Mon–Fri 8:00 AM–5:00 PM. Phone: (601) 545-6053.

What is the sales tax rate on a personal watercraft sale in Hattiesburg?

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

Is notarization required for a personal watercraft bill of sale in Hattiesburg?

No. Mississippi does not require notarization.

What fees should I expect when transferring a personal watercraft title in Hattiesburg?

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