What county is Aberdeen in, and which office handles title transfers?
Aberdeen is in Brown County. Title transfers are handled by the Brown County Treasurer at 25 Market St, Aberdeen, SD 57401. Hours: Mon–Fri 8:00 AM–5:00 PM. Phone: (605) 626-7110.
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Aberdeen, South Dakota Boat Bill of Sale
Use this bill of sale when selling a boat in Aberdeen, South Dakota. It documents the transfer and helps you complete DMV title paperwork.
Aberdeen, South DakotaBoatPopulation rank #1421
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 — Brown County
DMV / Title Office
Brown County Treasurer
Address
25 Market St, Aberdeen, SD 57401
Phone
(605) 626-7110
Office Hours
Mon–Fri 8:00 AM–5:00 PM
Transfer Fees & Taxes
Title Transfer Fee
$10.00
Sales Tax Rate
4.50%
Base Registration Fee
$36.00
SD 4% excise tax + local municipal tax
Notarization: NOT REQUIRED
South Dakota does not require notarization.
Aberdeen Transfer Checklist
- Title transfer at county treasurer within 30 days
- Excise tax at title transfer
- Seller must sign title
- Odometer disclosure required
County Information — Brown County
County Clerk / Recorder
Brown County Register of Deeds
Phone
(605) 626-7100
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 South Dakota, 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 South Dakota
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 Aberdeen, South Dakota
Aberdeen residents completing a boat bill of sale should be aware of local requirements in addition to South Dakota state rules. The state sales tax rate is 4%, 4% motor vehicle excise tax plus municipal taxes. The most popular boat makes in South Dakota include Bayliner, Sea Ray, Boston Whaler.
South Dakota bill of sale statistics
BillOfSaleNow has generated 223 bill of sale documents for South Dakota transactions, with 6 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 boat sale in Aberdeen?
The combined rate is 4.50%. SD 4% excise tax + local municipal tax.
Is notarization required for a boat bill of sale in Aberdeen?
No. South Dakota does not require notarization.
What fees should I expect when transferring a boat title in Aberdeen?
Title transfer fee: $10.00. Base registration fee: $36.00. Sales tax at 4.50% is collected at the time of title transfer.