As a business and legal template writer with over 12 years of experience helping thousands of Americans complete private vehicle and vessel sales, I’ve drafted and refined hundreds of state-specific bill of sale forms. One of the most frequent requests I receive is for a boat bill of sale in Missouri that actually meets Missouri Department of Revenue (DOR) and Missouri State Highway Patrol Water Patrol Division requirements while remaining simple enough for private sellers and buyers to use without paying an attorney $200–$400.
In this comprehensive guide, I’ll give you my battle-tested, completely free Missouri boat bill of sale template (available in both PDF and Word), explain exactly when and why you need it, walk you through every field line-by-line, and show you how to register or title the boat afterward. By the end of this article you’ll have everything you need to complete a legally solid private boat sale in the Show-Me State.
A boat bill of sale in Missouri is a legal document that records the transfer of ownership of a vessel (including the hull, motor, and trailer if sold together) from the seller to the buyer. Missouri law treats boats differently from motor vehicles—while cars only need a properly assigned Certificate of Title, boats 16 feet and longer OR with a motor over 10 horsepower generally require both a title AND a signed bill of sale to complete registration and titling at a Missouri DOR license office.
The Missouri Department of Revenue explicitly states on IRS.gov-linked pages and on dor.mo.gov that a bill of sale is required when:
Source: Missouri Department of Revenue – dor.mo.gov/motor-vehicle/titling-registration and DOR Form 93 (Application for Missouri Boat/Vessel or Outboard Motor Title and Registration)
Click the buttons below to download my attorney-vetted template instantly – 100% free, no email required:
Download Missouri Boat Bill of Sale – PDF
Download Missouri Boat Bill of Sale – Word (.docx)
Here’s exactly how I fill out this form for my own clients and for my personal boat sales:
| Field | What to Enter | Tips from Experience |
|---|---|---|
| Date of Sale | MM/DD/YYYY | Use the actual date money/trade changes hands – this starts the 30-day registration clock for the buyer |
| Seller Full Name(s) | Exactly as on title | If two owners are on the title and both must sign, list both |
| Buyer Full Name(s) | Legal names | Match the name(s) that will appear on the new title application |
| Boat Description | Year, Make, Model, Length, MO Hull ID (HIN) | The 12-character HIN is critical – double-check it! |
| Outboard Motor (if included) | Year, Make, Horsepower, Serial # | Missouri titles outboards separately if over 10 HP |
| Trailer (if included) | Year, Make, VIN | Trailers are titled separately in MO |
| Purchase Price | Total $ amount | Do NOT write “gift” or $1 if real money changed hands – tax fraud is a felony |
| Signatures | Hand-signed (wet ink) | Notarization is NOT required in Missouri for boat bills of sale, but it adds protection |
Missouri does NOT require notarization for a standard private boat sale. However, in my experience, many county license offices and some lenders will ask for a notarized bill of sale when:
I always include optional notary blocks in my templates so you’re covered either way.
The buyer has 30 days from the date of sale to title and register. Here’s the exact checklist I give every client:
Take everything to your local Missouri DOR license office or mail to: Missouri Department of Revenue, PO Box 1840, Jefferson City, MO 65105.
After reviewing thousands of forms, these are the top errors that cause rejections:
Do I need a bill of sale if I have the Missouri title signed over?
Yes in most cases. The DOR still wants proof of the sales price for tax purposes.
Can I use a generic boat bill of sale in Missouri?
Technically yes, but it often gets rejected because it lacks the required fields Missouri wants to see.
Is a handwritten boat bill of sale legal in Missouri?
Absolutely – as long as it contains the mandatory information and both parties sign.
In my experience, a clear, complete Missouri boat bill of sale is the single most important document (after the title itself) in avoiding headaches, tax disputes, and liability issues. I created the free template above because I got tired of seeing good people pay attorneys hundreds of dollars for a one-page form.
Important Disclaimer: This template and article are for informational purposes only and do not constitute legal or tax advice. Laws change, and your situation may have unique factors. Always consult a licensed Missouri attorney or CPA for your specific transaction.
Download your free boat bill of sale Missouri template today and complete your sale with confidence!