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Spokane, Washington Boat Bill of Sale

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

Spokane, WashingtonBoatPopulation rank #96

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 — Spokane County

DMV / Title Office

WA DOL – Spokane Driver Licensing Office

Address

1208 N Howard St, Spokane, WA 99201

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

8.90%

Base Registration Fee

$43.75

Washington state 6.5% + Spokane County/City 2.4%

Notarization: NOT REQUIRED

Washington does not require notarization.

Spokane Transfer Checklist

  • Bill of sale required for use tax calculation
  • Use tax at DOL
  • Title transfer within 15 days
  • Seller keeps bill of sale copy

County Information — Spokane County

County Clerk / Recorder

Spokane County Auditor

Phone

(509) 477-2320

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 Washington, 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 Washington

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 Spokane, Washington

Spokane residents completing a boat 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 boat makes in Washington include Bayliner, Sea Ray, 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 Spokane in, and which office handles title transfers?

Spokane is in Spokane County. Title transfers are handled by the WA DOL – Spokane Driver Licensing Office at 1208 N Howard St, Spokane, WA 99201. Hours: Mon–Fri 8:30 AM–4:30 PM. Phone: (360) 902-3900.

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

The combined rate is 8.90%. Washington state 6.5% + Spokane County/City 2.4%.

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

No. Washington does not require notarization.

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

Title transfer fee: $15.00. Base registration fee: $43.75. Sales tax at 8.90% is collected at the time of title transfer.