Free Connecticut Boat Bill of Sale Form (CT DMV Form H-31 PDF)

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

Yes. The Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) requires a fully executed bill of sale (Form H-31 standard) for all private vessel transfers. It establishes legal ownership transfer, purchase price verification for Connecticut's reduced 2.99% marine sales tax, and documents itemized values for the hull, motor, and trailer.

Q: What is the sales tax rate on boat sales in Connecticut?

Under C.G.S. § 12-431, Connecticut imposes a reduced sales and use tax rate of only 2.99% on vessels, motors, and boat trailers (compared to the standard 6.35% state sales tax rate). The buyer pays this 2.99% tax directly to the CT DMV upon registering the vessel.

Q: Do boats have titles in Connecticut?

Under the Connecticut Uniform Certificate of Title for Vessels Act (C.G.S. § 15-201), all vessels manufactured with a model year of 2017 or newer, or having a valid title from another state, MUST be titled. Vessels model year 2016 or older are non-titled; for those older vessels, this signed Form H-31 Bill of Sale and the seller's previous registration certificate prove ownership.

Q: What is Connecticut DMV Form H-31 for vessels?

Form H-31 ('Bill of Sale') is the statutory legal template established by the Connecticut DMV. It details the hull identification number (HIN), make, model, year, length, registration number, outboard motor specs, trailer VIN, and buyer/seller information required to register the vessel.

Q: When does boat registration expire in Connecticut?

All Connecticut vessel registrations expire annually on April 30. Registration must be renewed before May 1 each year at the CT DMV or participating municipal town halls, including payment of the statutory $5 Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) fee.

FORM SBF-CT-BOAT Statutory Year: 2026

C.G.S. §§ 15-144, 15-149, 15-201 & 12-431

STATE OF CONNECTICUT STATUTORY BILL OF SALE

Vessel, Watercraft, Outboard Motor & Trailer Transfer Statement

Compliant with Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) Form H-31 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:

Connecticut County *:

Section B: Complete Vessel (Hull) Description

Year Built *

Make / Builder *

Model *

Length (Ft/In) *

Hull Material

Vessel Type

CT Registration # (e.g. CT 1234 AB)

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

Section C: Outboard Motor & Boat Trailer Specifications

1. Outboard Motor Specifications Propulsion System

Motor Make / Brand

Year

HP (Horsepower)

Motor Serial Number

2. Boat Trailer Specifications (trailer included)

Trailer Make

Year

Empty Wt

Trailer 17-Digit VIN / Serial #

Section D: Identification of Parties (Transferor & Transferee)

1. SELLER (Transferor Information) Physical Address Only

Full Legal Name *

Physical Address (No P.O. Box) *

City *

State

ZIP Code *

Phone Number

CT Driver License #

2. BUYER (Transferee Information) For CT DMV Vessel Registration

Full Legal Name *

Physical Address (No P.O. Box) *

City *

State

ZIP Code *

Phone Number

Driver License #

Section E: Financial Consideration & Itemized Price Breakdown (CT 2.99% Tax Basis)

Vessel Price $:

Motor Price $:

Trailer Price $:

Total Price * $:

Date of Sale *:

Paid by: Cash Cashier's Check Wire Trade

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

STATUTORY CONNECTICUT BOAT SALES TAX (C.G.S. § 12-431): Buyer acknowledges responsibility to remit Connecticut's reduced 2.99% vessel sales and use tax directly to the CT DMV upon registration. 2017+ VESSEL TITLING MANDATE (C.G.S. § 15-201): Vessels model year 2017 or newer require an endorsed Certificate of Title; vessels 2016 and older are title-exempt and transfer via this Form H-31 Bill of Sale. STATUTORY MARINE "AS-IS" DISCLAIMER (C.G.S. § 42a-2-316): This vessel, outboard motor, and trailer are sold strictly "AS-IS, WHERE-IS," WITH ALL DEFECTS, LATENT OR PATENT, without warranties of seaworthiness, merchantability, or fitness for navigation. Seller certifies under penalty of false statement (C.G.S. § 53a-157b) that Seller holds lawful, clear title free of all liens.

Section G: Authorized Signatures & Notary Public Acknowledgment

Seller (Transferor) Signature Must Match Title/Registration

Signature: ✕

Seller Printed Name

Date

Buyer (Transferee) Signature For CT DMV Vessel Registration

Signature: ✕

Buyer Printed Name

Date

STATE OF CONNECTICUT COUNTY OF:

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

Notary Public / Comm. of Superior Court

MM/DD/YYYY

My Commission Expires

★ Affix Notary Seal
/ Stamp Here CT DMV Form H-31 Standard

FORM SBF-CT-BOAT (Rev. 2026) • StateBillForms.com C.G.S. §§ 15-144, 15-149, 15-201 & 12-431 • CT DMV Form H-31 Compliant PAGE 1 OF 1

Official Process

Connecticut DMV 3-Step Vessel Registration & Titling Guide

Follow statutory Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles rules to legally transfer boat ownership, take advantage of the state's 2.99% reduced marine sales tax rate, and fulfill 2017+ titling requirements.

Execute Form SBF-CT-BOAT

Both parties complete this Form SBF-CT-BOAT Bill of Sale (CT DMV Form H-31 compliant) itemizing the hull, motor, and trailer values. If the boat is model year 2017 or newer, the seller signs over the official Certificate of Title.

The 2017 Model Year Title Rule

Under C.G.S. § 15-201, vessels model year 2017 and newer must be titled. For vessels model year 2016 and older, titles are not issued; this Bill of Sale and the seller's previous registration certificate prove ownership.

Register at CT DMV (2.99% Tax)

The buyer submits this Bill of Sale, Form B-148 (Vessel Registration Application), and title or registration to a CT DMV Hub Branch. Connecticut levies a reduced 2.99% sales tax on boats (C.G.S. § 12-431) plus the annual $5 AIS aquatic fee.

Statutory Summary

Connecticut Vessel Legal Requirements Summary

Document / Requirement	Governing Authority	Status	Statutory Purpose
CT DMV Form H-31 Bill of Sale	C.G.S. §§ 15-144 & 15-149	Essential	Legal contract proving transfer of hull, motor, and trailer; required for registration.
Certificate of Title (2017+ Vessels)	C.G.S. § 15-201	Mandatory (2017+)	Uniform Certificate of Title for Vessels Act; required for model years 2017 and newer.
Reduced 2.99% Marine Sales Tax	C.G.S. § 12-431	Statutory Benefit	Special statutory 2.99% rate applies to vessels, outboard motors, and trailers.
Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Fee	C.G.S. § 15-144(c)	Mandatory $5/yr	Mandatory annual state fee dedicated to CT DEEP aquatic environmental protection.
Annual April 30 Expiration	C.G.S. § 15-144	Annual Cycle	All Connecticut watercraft registrations expire on April 30 of each calendar year.

Frequently Asked Questions

Connecticut Boat Bill of Sale Legal FAQs

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

What is the sales tax rate on boat sales in Connecticut?

Do boats have titles in Connecticut?

What is Connecticut DMV Form H-31 for vessels?

When does boat registration expire in Connecticut?