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Santa Fe, New Mexico Boat Bill of Sale

Use this bill of sale when selling a boat in Santa Fe, New Mexico. It documents the transfer and helps you complete DMV title paperwork.

Santa Fe, New MexicoBoatPopulation rank #381

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 — Santa Fe County

DMV / Title Office

NM MVD – Santa Fe Office

Address

2542 Camino Edward Ortiz, Santa Fe, NM 87507

Phone

(888) 683-4636

Office Hours

Mon–Fri 8:00 AM–4:30 PM

Transfer Fees & Taxes

Title Transfer Fee

$8.00

Sales Tax Rate

8.4375%

Base Registration Fee

$27.00

New Mexico GRT state 5.125% + Santa Fe County/city 3.3125%

Notarization: NOT REQUIRED

New Mexico does not require notarization for private vehicle sales.

Santa Fe Transfer Checklist

  • Title transfer at an NM MVD office within 30 days
  • New Mexico GRT applies to vehicle purchases
  • Seller must sign the title assignment
  • Emissions testing may be required in Bernalillo County

County Information — Santa Fe County

County Clerk / Recorder

Santa Fe County Clerk

Phone

(505) 986-6280

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 New Mexico, 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 New Mexico

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 Santa Fe, New Mexico

Santa Fe residents completing a boat bill of sale should be aware of local requirements in addition to New Mexico state rules. The state sales tax rate is 4%, 4% motor vehicle excise tax (not standard grt). The most popular boat makes in New Mexico include Bayliner, Sea Ray, Boston Whaler.

New Mexico bill of sale statistics

BillOfSaleNow has generated 524 bill of sale documents for New Mexico transactions, with 14 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 Santa Fe in, and which office handles title transfers?

Santa Fe is in Santa Fe County. Title transfers are handled by the NM MVD – Santa Fe Office at 2542 Camino Edward Ortiz, Santa Fe, NM 87507. Hours: Mon–Fri 8:00 AM–4:30 PM. Phone: (888) 683-4636.

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

The combined rate is 8.4375%. New Mexico GRT state 5.125% + Santa Fe County/city 3.3125%.

Is notarization required for a boat bill of sale in Santa Fe?

No. New Mexico does not require notarization for private vehicle sales.

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

Title transfer fee: $8.00. Base registration fee: $27.00. Sales tax at 8.4375% is collected at the time of title transfer.