Free Arkansas Boat Bill of Sale Form (DFA & AGFC Compliant)

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

Yes. The Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration (DFA) Office of Motor Vehicles requires an official Bill of Sale for all private boat purchases to establish legal ownership, verify the purchase price for sales tax assessment, and itemize the trailer and outboard motor.

Q: Do boats have titles in Arkansas?

Yes. Under Arkansas law, all motorized boats and vessels manufactured after 1999 are required to be titled and registered through the Arkansas DFA Revenue Office. For vessels built in 1999 or earlier, titling is optional, but current registration and a notarized bill of sale are mandatory.

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

Yes. Arkansas DFA Revenue Offices require or strongly advise that private vessel bills of sale be notarized by a licensed Notary Public to verify the seller's signature and prevent fraudulent watercraft title transfers.

Q: Is insurance required for boats in Arkansas?

Yes. Under A.C.A. § 27-101-305, proof of marine liability insurance of at least $50,000 is legally required to register or operate any motorboat powered by an engine of 50 horsepower or more, as well as all personal watercraft (PWCs / jet skis).

Q: How long do you have to register a boat in Arkansas after buying it?

Under A.C.A. § 27-101-306, the buyer has exactly 30 calendar days from the purchase date to assess the boat with their County Tax Assessor, visit an Arkansas State Revenue Office, pay state and local sales tax, and receive their Certificate of Number and 3-year validation decals.

FORM SBF-AR-BOAT Statutory Year: 2026

A.C.A. § 27-101-301 et seq. • AGFC Standards

STATE OF ARKANSAS STATUTORY BILL OF SALE

Vessel, Watercraft, Outboard Motor & Trailer Transfer Statement

Compliant with Arkansas DFA Revenue Office & AGFC Standards

KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS: That the undersigned Seller, for and in consideration of the total sales 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 trailer described below, to have and to hold forever.

SECTION A: JURISDICTION & LOCATION OF SALE

State:

Arkansas County *:

SECTION B: COMPLETE VESSEL (HULL) DESCRIPTION

Year Built *

Make / Builder *

Model Name / Number *

Length (Ft & In) *

Hull Material

Vessel Type

AR Registration # *

Hull Identification Number (HIN - Exactly 12 Characters) *

SECTION C: OUTBOARD MOTOR & BOAT TRAILER SPECS

1. Outboard / Inboard Marine Motor

Motor Make / Brand

Year

Horsepower *

Motor Serial Number

2. Boat Trailer (Arkansas DFA Titled) Included in Sale

Trailer Make

Year

Empty Wt.

Trailer VIN / Serial # (17 Digits)

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

AR Driver License #

2. BUYER (Transferee Information)

Full Legal Name *

Physical Address (No P.O. Box) *

City *

State

ZIP Code *

Phone Number

Driver License #

SECTION E: FINANCIAL CONSIDERATION & ITEMIZED PRICE BREAKDOWN

Vessel Hull:

Motor:

Trailer:

TOTAL USD *:

Date of Sale *:

Payment Method: Cash Cashier's Check Wire Gift / Trade

SECTION F: MARINE "AS-IS" WARRANTY DISCLAIMER & AFFIDAVIT (A.C.A. § 4-2-316) No Implied Marine Warranties

SOLD STRICTLY AS-IS, WHERE-IS: The Buyer agrees that this vessel, outboard motor, and boat trailer are transferred in their present "AS-IS, WHERE-IS" condition, WITH ALL FAULTS AND LATENT DEFECTS, WHETHER KNOWN OR UNKNOWN. The Seller disclaims all warranties, express or implied, including any warranty of merchantability, seaworthiness, hull structural integrity, or fitness for any recreational or commercial purpose. Buyer certifies having inspected the vessel or knowingly waived marine survey. Under penalty of perjury (A.C.A. § 5-53-102), Seller certifies lawful ownership free of all maritime liens and encumbrances.

SECTION G: SIGNATURES & NOTARY JURAT

Seller (Transferor) Signature * MUST BE NOTARIZED

Signature: ✕

Seller Printed Name

Date

Buyer (Transferee) Signature For Arkansas DFA Registration

Signature: ✕

Buyer Printed Name

Date

State of Arkansas Notary Public Acknowledgment (Compliant with Arkansas DFA State Revenue Office Specifications)

STATE OF ARKANSAS COUNTY OF:

Subscribed and sworn to (or affirmed) before me this _____ day of ________________, 2026, by the Seller and/or Buyer named above, who proved to me on the basis of satisfactory government photo identification to be the person(s) who executed this instrument.

Notary Public Signature

MM/DD/YYYY

My Commission Expires

★ Affix Notary Seal
/ Stamp Here

FORM SBF-AR-BOAT (Rev. 2026) • StateBillForms.com A.C.A. § 27-101-301 et seq. • Compliant with Arkansas DFA Office of Motor Vehicles PAGE 1 OF 1

Official Process

Arkansas DFA 3-Step Vessel Registration & Titling Guide

Follow Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration (DFA) Office of Motor Vehicles statutory procedures to register and title your boat, motor, and trailer.

Execute Notarized Bill of Sale & Title

The seller signs over the original Arkansas Certificate of Title (for motorized boats built after 1999). Both parties execute this Form SBF-AR-BOAT, with the seller's signature notarized.

County Tax Assessment

Mandatory Arkansas Step: Prior to visiting the Revenue Office, the buyer must assess the boat, motor, and trailer with their local County Tax Assessor and obtain an assessment receipt.

DFA Registration Within 30 Days

Under A.C.A. § 27-101-306, visit any Arkansas State Revenue Office within 30 calendar days with this Bill of Sale, title, tax receipt, and insurance proof (for 50+ HP) to receive 3-year decals.

Statutory Summary

Arkansas Watercraft Sale Legal Requirements

Document / Requirement	Governing Authority	Status	Statutory Purpose
Certificate of Title (Boats > 1999)	A.C.A. § 27-101-301	Mandatory	Motorized boats built after 1999 must be titled through the Arkansas DFA Office of Motor Vehicles.
Notarized Bill of Sale	Arkansas DFA Regulations	Mandatory	Required by DFA Revenue Offices to verify sales price, itemize trailer/motor, and assess tax.
County Personal Property Assessment	A.C.A. § 26-26-201	Mandatory	Buyer must assess the vessel in their home county before the DFA can issue registration decals.
50+ HP Marine Liability Insurance	A.C.A. § 27-101-305	Mandatory (≥50 HP)	At least $50,000 in liability coverage is legally required for all vessels with 50+ HP and PWCs.
30-Day Registration Deadline	A.C.A. § 27-101-306	30-Day Limit	Buyer must register within 30 days of purchase; registration remains valid for 3 years.

Watercraft FAQs

Arkansas Boat Bill of Sale Legal FAQs

Is a bill of sale required to register a boat in Arkansas?

Do boats have titles in Arkansas?

Does an Arkansas boat bill of sale need to be notarized?

Is insurance required for boats in Arkansas?

How long do you have to register a boat in Arkansas after buying it?