Alabama registers boats through its county license offices, and most used boats have no title, so the bill of sale and the seller's registration carry the transfer. Shelby County's license department sets out what to bring.
What the bill of sale must show
For a boat bought from an individual:
| Field | Detail |
|---|---|
| The boat | HIN, year, make and model |
| The motor | Serial number and horsepower |
| The sale | Amount paid and date of sale |
| Both parties | Name, address and signature of buyer and seller |
| Notary | The seller's signature notarized |
If anything other than money changed hands, the county wants each item listed with its value. A dealer's bill of sale comes from the licensed dealership, with the sales tax itemized.
The HIN is 12 characters and goes on the registration certificate and the application. Check it against the transom with our HIN decoder.
Proving the seller owned it
The buyer brings the seller's most recent registration certificate. Where that isn't enough, the county accepts supporting documents such as a registration or a proof of insurance in the previous owner's name.
The deadline
A used boat currently registered in Alabama must be transferred within 15 calendar days of the purchase. There's no grace period for a used boat; a new boat gets 72 hours.
Titles
Alabama has started titling boats, but only recent builds that meet all its criteria, such as boats under 18 feet with an engine of 75 hp or more. Titling is optional for boats of 26 feet or more, after a HIN inspection. Most used boats on the market are registered only, which is why the bill of sale matters so much here.
Sales tax
Sales tax is due when you first register the boat in your name, at the same local rates that apply to vehicles, in your county of residence or where the boat is kept. A marina or storage yard isn't accepted as the registration address.
Before you sign
Agree the price after a pre-purchase survey and take a notary to the signing. Our free boat bill of sale template has every field Alabama asks for, the motor's serial number and horsepower included, and a notary block.