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Federal Way, Washington Yacht Bill of Sale

Use this bill of sale when selling a yacht in Federal Way, Washington. It documents the transfer and helps you complete DMV title paperwork.

Federal Way, WashingtonYachtPopulation rank #330

What to include

  • Buyer and seller names and addresses
  • Yacht 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 — King County

DMV / Title Office

WA DOL – Federal Way Licensing Office

Address

33325 8th Ave S, Federal Way, WA 98003

Phone

(360) 902-3900

Office Hours

Mon–Fri 8:30 AM–4:30 PM

Transfer Fees & Taxes

Title Transfer Fee

$15.00

Sales Tax Rate

10.25%

Base Registration Fee

$43.75

Washington state rate 6.5% + King County/Federal Way local rate 3.75%

Notarization: NOT REQUIRED

Washington does not require notarization for private vehicle sales.

Federal Way Transfer Checklist

  • Buyer must have a bill of sale showing the purchase price to calculate use tax
  • Washington charges use tax on private vehicle purchases collected at DOL
  • Title must be transferred within 15 days
  • Seller should keep a copy of the bill of sale

County Information — King County

County Clerk / Recorder

King County Recorder

Phone

(206) 296-1570

Yacht market data and safety information

The most common yacht makes in private-party sales are Sea Ray, Beneteau, Boston Whaler, Grady-White, Viking. Average private-party yacht prices range from $50,000–$500,000+. Yachts average 1 NHTSA recalls per model across categories including Fuel System, Electrical, Engine.

Safety checkpoints for buying a used yacht

Before completing a yacht bill of sale in Washington, verify these safety items:

  • Require a professional marine survey before purchase — standard practice for vessels over 26 ft
  • Inspect engine hours, service records, and oil analysis reports
  • Check hull condition with moisture meter and visual inspection below waterline
  • Verify USCG documentation or state registration status

Yacht insurance and depreciation in Washington

Yacht insurance is 1–2% of hull value annually. Agreed-value policies are standard. Navigation limits and crew requirements affect premiums. Yachts depreciate 10–15% per year for the first 5 years. Well-maintained vessels from premium builders hold value best. Peak season for private yacht sales is fall/winter boat shows drive buyer interest for spring delivery, with an average of 90 days on market.

Yacht registration and titling

Yachts are classified as "USCG-documented vessel (over 5 net tons) or state-registered vessel" for registration purposes. Yachts are classified by length overall (LOA), not weight. Vessels over 65 ft may require a licensed captain. Federal odometer disclosure does not apply to yachts.

Yacht sales in Federal Way, Washington

Federal Way residents completing a yacht bill of sale should be aware of local requirements in addition to Washington state rules. The state sales tax rate is 6.5%, 6.5% state plus local taxes (total up to ~10.4%). The most popular yacht makes in Washington include Sea Ray, Beneteau, Boston Whaler.

Washington bill of sale statistics

BillOfSaleNow has generated 2,241 bill of sale documents for Washington transactions, with 60 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 Federal Way in, and which office handles title transfers?

Federal Way is in King County. Title transfers are handled by the WA DOL – Federal Way Licensing Office at 33325 8th Ave S, Federal Way, WA 98003. Hours: Mon–Fri 8:30 AM–4:30 PM. Phone: (360) 902-3900.

What is the sales tax rate on a yacht sale in Federal Way?

The combined rate is 10.25%. Washington state rate 6.5% + King County/Federal Way local rate 3.75%.

Is notarization required for a yacht bill of sale in Federal Way?

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

What fees should I expect when transferring a yacht title in Federal Way?

Title transfer fee: $15.00. Base registration fee: $43.75. Sales tax at 10.25% is collected at the time of title transfer.