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Santa Fe, New Mexico Personal Watercraft Bill of Sale

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

Santa Fe, New MexicoPersonal WatercraftPopulation rank #381

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 — 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

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 New Mexico, 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 New Mexico

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 Santa Fe, New Mexico

Santa Fe residents completing a personal watercraft 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 personal watercraft makes in New Mexico include Yamaha, Sea-Doo (BRP), Kawasaki.

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 personal watercraft 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 personal watercraft 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 personal watercraft 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.