What county is Minot in, and which office handles title transfers?
Minot is in Ward County. Title transfers are handled by the ND DOT – Minot Office at 315 3rd St SE, Minot, ND 58701. Hours: Mon–Fri 8:00 AM–5:00 PM. Phone: (701) 328-2725.
City release page
Minot, North Dakota Personal Watercraft Bill of Sale
Use this bill of sale when selling a personal watercraft in Minot, North Dakota. It documents the transfer and helps you complete DMV title paperwork.
Minot, North DakotaPersonal WatercraftPopulation rank #854
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 — Ward County
DMV / Title Office
ND DOT – Minot Office
Address
315 3rd St SE, Minot, ND 58701
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
7.00%
Base Registration Fee
$49.00
ND state 5% excise tax + Ward County/Minot city 2.0%
Notarization: NOT REQUIRED
North Dakota does not require notarization.
Minot Transfer Checklist
- Title transfer at Ward County Recorder within 30 days
- 5% excise tax
- Seller must sign title
- Odometer disclosure required
County Information — Ward County
County Clerk / Recorder
Ward County Recorder
Phone
(701) 857-6420
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 Minot, North Dakota
Minot 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 is the sales tax rate on a personal watercraft sale in Minot?
The combined rate is 7.00%. ND state 5% excise tax + Ward County/Minot city 2.0%.
Is notarization required for a personal watercraft bill of sale in Minot?
No. North Dakota does not require notarization.
What fees should I expect when transferring a personal watercraft title in Minot?
Title transfer fee: $5.00. Base registration fee: $49.00. Sales tax at 7.00% is collected at the time of title transfer.