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Bismarck, North Dakota Personal Watercraft Bill of Sale

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

Bismarck, North DakotaPersonal WatercraftPopulation rank #477

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 — Burleigh County

DMV / Title Office

ND DOT – Bismarck Driver License Office

Address

608 E Boulevard Ave, Bismarck, ND 58505

Phone

(701) 328-2725

Office Hours

Mon–Fri 8:00 AM–5:00 PM

Transfer Fees & Taxes

Title Transfer Fee

$5.00

Sales Tax Rate

5.50%

Base Registration Fee

$49.00

ND state 5% excise tax on vehicles + Bismarck city 0.5%

Notarization: NOT REQUIRED

North Dakota does not require notarization.

Bismarck Transfer Checklist

  • Title transfer at Burleigh County Recorder within 30 days
  • 5% excise tax on vehicle purchases
  • Seller must sign title
  • Odometer disclosure required

County Information — Burleigh County

County Clerk / Recorder

Burleigh County Recorder

Phone

(701) 222-6690

Website

https://www.burleighco.com/recorder

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 North Dakota, 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 North Dakota

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 Bismarck, North Dakota

Bismarck residents completing a personal watercraft bill of sale should be aware of local requirements in addition to North Dakota state rules. The state sales tax rate is 5%, 5% motor vehicle excise tax statewide. The most popular personal watercraft makes in North Dakota include Yamaha, Sea-Doo (BRP), Kawasaki.

North Dakota bill of sale statistics

BillOfSaleNow has generated 194 bill of sale documents for North Dakota transactions, with 5 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 Bismarck in, and which office handles title transfers?

Bismarck is in Burleigh County. Title transfers are handled by the ND DOT – Bismarck Driver License Office at 608 E Boulevard Ave, Bismarck, ND 58505. Hours: Mon–Fri 8:00 AM–5:00 PM. Phone: (701) 328-2725.

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

The combined rate is 5.50%. ND state 5% excise tax on vehicles + Bismarck city 0.5%.

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

No. North Dakota does not require notarization.

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

Title transfer fee: $5.00. Base registration fee: $49.00. Sales tax at 5.50% is collected at the time of title transfer.

Trusted by private vehicle sellers nationwide

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)

$60–$85 mobile notary

Mobile notary visit minimums run $60–$85 — higher on weekends, plus per-mile travel fees. State-formatted documents skip the trip.

Source: Thumbtack / NNA