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Portland, Oregon Boat Bill of Sale

Use this bill of sale when selling a boat in Portland, Oregon. It documents the transfer and helps you complete DMV title paperwork.

Portland, OregonBoatPopulation rank #24

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 — Multnomah County

DMV / Title Office

Oregon DMV – Portland Office

Address

8710 SE Powell Blvd, Portland, OR 97266

Phone

(503) 299-9999

Office Hours

Mon–Fri 8:00 AM–5:00 PM

Transfer Fees & Taxes

Title Transfer Fee

$77.00

Sales Tax Rate

0.50%

Base Registration Fee

$122.00

Oregon has no sales tax but charges a 0.5% vehicle privilege/use tax on new vehicles. No tax on used private-party sales.

Notarization: NOT REQUIRED

Oregon does not require notarization for private vehicle sales.

Portland Transfer Checklist

  • No sales tax on used private-party vehicle sales in Oregon
  • Title transfer at an Oregon DMV office within 30 days
  • DEQ emissions test required in the Portland metro area
  • Seller must sign the title assignment

County Information — Multnomah County

County Clerk / Recorder

Multnomah County Clerk

Phone

(503) 988-3957

Private party vehicle sales in Multnomah County may be exempt from sales tax — verify with the county clerk before completing your transaction.

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 Oregon, 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 Oregon

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 Portland, Oregon

Portland residents completing a boat bill of sale should be aware of local requirements in addition to Oregon state rules. The state sales tax rate is 0%, no sales tax; 0.5% statewide transit tax on new vehicles only. The most popular boat makes in Oregon include Bayliner, Sea Ray, Boston Whaler.

Oregon bill of sale statistics

BillOfSaleNow has generated 1,038 bill of sale documents for Oregon transactions, with 28 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 Portland in, and which office handles title transfers?

Portland is in Multnomah County. Title transfers are handled by the Oregon DMV – Portland Office at 8710 SE Powell Blvd, Portland, OR 97266. Hours: Mon–Fri 8:00 AM–5:00 PM. Phone: (503) 299-9999.

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

The combined rate is 0.50%. Oregon has no sales tax but charges a 0.5% vehicle privilege/use tax on new vehicles. No tax on used private-party sales..

Is notarization required for a boat bill of sale in Portland?

No. Oregon does not require notarization for private vehicle sales.

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

Title transfer fee: $77.00. Base registration fee: $122.00. Sales tax at 0.50% is collected at the time of title transfer.