Free Alabama Boat Bill of Sale Form (ALEA & Probate Compliant PDF)

Q: Is a bill of sale required to register a boat in Alabama?

Yes. A signed bill of sale is mandatory to transfer boat registration in Alabama. Because Alabama is a non-titling state for vessels, the bill of sale acts as the definitive legal proof of ownership, transfer date, and purchase price for assessing Alabama casual sales tax.

Q: How long do you have to register a newly purchased boat in Alabama?

Under Alabama Code § 33-5-16, the purchaser has strictly 15 calendar days from the date of purchase to submit an application and transfer the vessel registration with their local County Probate Judge or License Commissioner.

Q: Does an Alabama boat bill of sale need to be notarized?

While state statute allows an unnotarized bill of sale under certain conditions, Alabama County Probate Judges and License Commissioners strongly urge or require notarization—especially when the previous owner's registration certificate is unavailable or in private cash sales—to prevent fraudulent title claims.

Q: Where do you go in Alabama to register a boat and trailer?

Boat registrations and trailer tag applications are processed at the County Probate Judge's office or the County License Commissioner's office in the county where the owner resides or where the vessel is principally operated.

Q: Do boat trailers require a certificate of title in Alabama?

No. Under Alabama law, utility trailers and boat trailers are exempt from title requirements. Buyers register their boat trailer and receive a license plate tag directly at their County Probate Judge's office using this itemized Bill of Sale as proof of acquisition.

FORM SBF-AL-BOAT Statutory Year: 2026

Ala. Code § 33-5-1 et seq. • Alabama Water Safety Act

STATE OF ALABAMA STATUTORY BILL OF SALE

Vessel, Watercraft, Outboard Motor & Trailer Transfer Statement

Compliant with ALEA Marine Patrol & County Probate Standards

KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS: That the undersigned Seller, for and in consideration of the full purchase price set forth herein, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, does hereby bargain, sell, grant, transfer, and deliver unto the undersigned Buyer all legal rights, title, equity, and interest in and to the vessel, outboard motor, and boat trailer described below, to have and to hold forever.

Section A: Jurisdiction & Location of Sale

State:

Alabama County *:

Section B: Complete Vessel (Hull) Description

Year Built *

Make / Builder *

Model Name / # *

Length (Ft & In) *

Hull Material *

Vessel Type *

AL Registration # (Bow)

Hull Identification Number (HIN - Exactly 12 Chars) *:

Section C: Outboard Motor & Boat Trailer Specifications

1. Outboard Motor Specifications (If Applicable)

Motor Make / Brand

Year

Horsepower (HP)

Motor Serial Number

2. Boat Trailer Specifications (included in sale)

Trailer Make / Brand

Year

Empty Wt (Lbs)

Trailer VIN / Serial # (For County Tag)

Section D: Identification of Parties (Transferor & Transferee)

1. SELLER (Transferor Information)

Full Legal Name *

Physical Address (No P.O. Box) *

City *

State

ZIP Code *

Phone Number

AL Driver License / ID #

2. BUYER (Transferee Information)

Full Legal Name *

Physical Address (No P.O. Box) *

City *

State

ZIP Code *

Phone Number

AL Driver License / ID #

Section E: Financial Consideration & Itemized Price Breakdown

Boat Hull: $

Motor: $

Trailer: $

Total: $

Date of Sale *:

Payment: Cash Cashier's Check Wire Trade/Gift

Section F: Marine "AS-IS" Warranty Disclaimer & Title Affidavit

SOLD STRICTLY AS-IS, WHERE-IS (Ala. Code § 7-2-316): The Buyer acknowledges that this vessel, outboard motor, and boat trailer (if applicable) are sold in their current "AS-IS, WHERE-IS" condition, with all latent and patent defects. The Seller expressly disclaims all warranties, express or implied, including warranties of merchantability, seaworthiness, or fitness for any particular marine purpose. The Buyer acknowledges having had full opportunity to conduct an independent marine survey and lake water-test, or has knowingly waived said right.

SELLER'S TITLE & LIEN AFFIDAVIT (Ala. Code § 13A-10-101): Seller hereby certifies under penalty of perjury under Alabama law that the Seller is the lawful owner of said vessel and equipment, with full legal authority to sell the same, and that said property is completely free and clear of all security agreements, liens, encumbrances, and unpaid marine repair claims.

Section G: Authorized Signatures & Notary Public Jurat

Seller (Transferor) Signature Must match ALEA record

Signature: ✕

Seller Printed Name

Date

Buyer (Transferee) Signature For County Probate record

Signature: ✕

Buyer Printed Name

Date

STATE OF ALABAMA COUNTY OF:

I, the undersigned Notary Public in and for said County and State, hereby certify that the Seller and/or Buyer whose names are signed to the foregoing conveyance, and who are known to me, acknowledged before me on this day that, being informed of the contents of the conveyance, they executed the same voluntarily on the day the same bears date. Subscribed and sworn to before me this _____ day of ________________, 2026.

Notary Public Signature

MM/DD/YYYY

My Commission Expires

★ Affix Notary Seal
/ Stamp Here

FORM SBF-AL-BOAT (Rev. 2026) • StateBillForms.com Ala. Code § 33-5-1 et seq. • Compliant with ALEA Marine Patrol & County Probate PAGE 1 OF 1

Official Process

Alabama ALEA 3-Step Boat Registration Transfer Guide

Follow Alabama statutory procedures under the Alabama Water Safety Act to transfer watercraft ownership smoothly through your local County Probate Judge or License Commissioner.

Execute Form SBF-AL-BOAT

Both buyer and seller must fill out and sign this statutory Bill of Sale. Make sure the 12-character HIN, Alabama registration number, outboard motor specs, and boat trailer details are thoroughly itemized.

Meet the 15-Day Statutory Deadline

Under Alabama Code § 33-5-16, the buyer has strictly 15 calendar days from the date of purchase to submit the transfer application. Operating a vessel beyond 15 days without completing the transfer is a misdemeanor violation.

Visit County Probate Office

The buyer presents this signed Bill of Sale, the previous owner's registration card (if available), and government ID to the local County Probate Judge or License Commissioner to pay casual sales tax and obtain registration decals and trailer tags.

Statutory Summary

Alabama Boat & Watercraft Legal Requirements

Document / Mandate	Governing Authority	Status	Legal Purpose & Details
Form SBF-AL-BOAT Bill of Sale	Ala. Code § 33-5-1 et seq.	Mandatory	Primary legal instrument of ownership transfer; Alabama does not issue vessel vehicle titles.
15-Day Transfer Window	Ala. Code § 33-5-16	15 Calendar Days	Statutory time limit for buyer to file registration transfer with County Probate Judge.
Notary Public Jurat	County Probate Requirement	Highly Recommended	Prevents fraud and expedites probate verification, mandatory in many Alabama counties for private sales.
Hull Identification Number (HIN)	33 C.F.R. § 181.23	Mandatory (12 Chars)	Federally compliant 12-character hull serial number permanently affixed to the starboard transom.
Boat Trailer Registration Tag	Ala. Code § 40-12-252	No Title Needed	Trailers are exempt from titling in Alabama; tag is issued using this itemized Bill of Sale.