The Tennessee boat bill of sale form allows individuals to record the data concerning the exchange of a vessel from one person to another. Factual information specific to the buyer, seller, and watercraft is transcribed to form solidifying the existence of the transfer of property. Tennessee requires that a bill of sale be executed during a private sale in order to process the vessel for registration.

How to Register a Boat

All boats powered by motor or sail must be processed for registration within the state of Tennessee. To register in person, visit any of the county clerk offices in your area and have the following ready to furnish:

• A completed bill of sale.
• Boat Registration Application (obtainable at your nearest county clerk’s office)
• Proof that sales taxes were paid (the county clerk will validate your application with a stamp upon approval).
• Form of payment to satisfy any fees applicable to registration.

You also have the option of registering through the mail by sending your application to the county clerk location listed on the form or online by visiting the Vessel Registration website provided by the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency.

A Tennessee boat bill of sale form is used by the buyer and private seller of a boat to act as proof of the vessels’ purchase and sale. The completed form must include the date of sale, price, year, make, model, and hull identification number (HIN) of the boat, as well as the contact information and signatures of the buyer and the seller. The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) requires that all mechanically powered vessels and sailboats be registered before they can be operated in state waterways. The buyer will be required to use the bill of sale when registering their boat as it proves their ownership and is used to calculate the sales tax. Boats are not required to be titled in Tennessee.

A Tennessee bill of sale is a form that records a sale or trade of personal property between a buyer and a seller. Like a receipt, a bill of sale verifies the transfer of ownership of an item from one person to another and proves that the transfer was legal and agreed upon. You should use a bill of sale in the state of Tennessee whenever buying or selling a car (or any type of vehicle), a boat, a firearm, or an animal such as a horse.