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Knoxville, Tennessee Boat Bill of Sale

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

Knoxville, TennesseeBoatPopulation rank #124

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 — Knox County

DMV / Title Office

Knox County Clerk – Title Office

Address

300 Main St, Knoxville, TN 37902

Phone

(865) 215-2385

Office Hours

Mon–Fri 8:00 AM–4:30 PM

Transfer Fees & Taxes

Title Transfer Fee

$13.50

Sales Tax Rate

9.25%

Base Registration Fee

$26.50

Tennessee state rate 7% + Knox County 2.25%

Notarization: NOT REQUIRED

Tennessee does not require notarization.

Knoxville Transfer Checklist

  • Title transfer at Knox County Clerk within 30 days
  • Sales tax at title transfer
  • Odometer disclosure required
  • Emissions testing required in Knox County

County Information — Knox County

County Clerk / Recorder

Knox County Clerk

Phone

(865) 215-2385

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 Tennessee, 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 Tennessee

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 Knoxville, Tennessee

Knoxville residents completing a boat bill of sale should be aware of local requirements in addition to Tennessee state rules. The state sales tax rate is 7%, 7% state plus local taxes (total up to 9.75%). The most popular boat makes in Tennessee include Bayliner, Sea Ray, Boston Whaler.

Tennessee bill of sale statistics

BillOfSaleNow has generated 1,712 bill of sale documents for Tennessee transactions, with 46 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 Knoxville in, and which office handles title transfers?

Knoxville is in Knox County. Title transfers are handled by the Knox County Clerk – Title Office at 300 Main St, Knoxville, TN 37902. Hours: Mon–Fri 8:00 AM–4:30 PM. Phone: (865) 215-2385.

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

The combined rate is 9.25%. Tennessee state rate 7% + Knox County 2.25%.

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

No. Tennessee does not require notarization.

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

Title transfer fee: $13.50. Base registration fee: $26.50. Sales tax at 9.25% is collected at the time of title transfer.