BillOfSaleNow

City release page

New York, New York Personal Watercraft Bill of Sale

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

New York, New YorkPersonal WatercraftPopulation rank #1

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 — New York County

DMV / Title Office

NY DMV – New York Office

Address

11 Greenwich St, New York, NY 10004

Phone

(718) 477-4820

Office Hours

Mon, Tue, Wed, Fri 8:30 AM–4:00 PM; Thu 8:30 AM–6:00 PM

Transfer Fees & Taxes

Title Transfer Fee

$50.00

Sales Tax Rate

8.875%

Base Registration Fee

$26.00

New York State 4% + New York City 4.5% + Metropolitan Commuter Transportation District 0.375%

Notarization: NOT REQUIRED

New York does not require notarization of a bill of sale.

New York Transfer Checklist

  • Complete form MV-912 (Transferee Certification) included on the title certificate
  • Buyer must pay sales tax at the DMV when titling the vehicle
  • Odometer disclosure required on the back of the title for vehicles under 10 years old
  • Both parties must sign the title; a separate bill of sale is strongly recommended

County Information — New York County

County Clerk / Recorder

New York County Clerk

Phone

(646) 386-5955

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 York, 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 York

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 New York, New York

New York residents completing a personal watercraft bill of sale should be aware of local requirements in addition to New York state rules. The state sales tax rate is 4%, 4% state plus county/city taxes (total up to 8.875% in nyc). The most popular personal watercraft makes in New York include Yamaha, Sea-Doo (BRP), Kawasaki.

New York bill of sale statistics

BillOfSaleNow has generated 6,134 bill of sale documents for New York transactions, with 165 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 New York in, and which office handles title transfers?

New York is in New York County. Title transfers are handled by the NY DMV – New York Office at 11 Greenwich St, New York, NY 10004. Hours: Mon, Tue, Wed, Fri 8:30 AM–4:00 PM; Thu 8:30 AM–6:00 PM. Phone: (718) 477-4820.

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

The combined rate is 8.875%. New York State 4% + New York City 4.5% + Metropolitan Commuter Transportation District 0.375%.

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

No. New York does not require notarization of a bill of sale.

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

Title transfer fee: $50.00. Base registration fee: $26.00. Sales tax at 8.875% is collected at the time of title transfer.