Missouri boat — quick answer
Missouri gives a boat buyer 60 days to title, not the 30 days people remember from buying a car, and the penalty structure after that is its own. The outboard motor is titled too, on the same application as the hull, so a bill of sale naming only the boat leaves the engine undocumented.
How boat sales actually work in Missouri
- Deadline
- 60 days from the date of purchase
- Late penalty
- $10 on the 61st day, a further $10 every 30 days, capped at $30
- Titling agency
- Missouri Department of Revenue
- Application
- Form 93 — Application for Missouri Boat/Vessel or Outboard Motor Title and Registration
- Outboard motor
- Titled as well as the hull, under the same application
- Bill of sale
- A descriptive bill of sale forms part of the required submission
- Temporary operation
- A one-time temporary certificate of number may be issued for up to 30 days
Transferring a boat in Missouri, step by step
- Describe the hull and the outboard motor separately on the bill of sale, with the serial number of each. Form 93 covers both, and the buyer needs both documented.
- Submit the application to the Department of Revenue within 60 days of purchase, with the descriptive bill of sale.
- If the boat needs to be used before the title comes through, ask about the one-time temporary certificate of number, which runs for up to 30 days.
- Where the 60 days cannot be met, expect the penalty to start on day 61 and to keep climbing every 30 days to the $30 cap.
What private buyers get wrong here
- The 60-day window is the fact most often got wrong here, because the 30-day figure from motor vehicles is what sticks in the memory.
- A bill of sale that names only the boat leaves the motor unproven, and on a used outboard that is usually the more portable and more disputed half of the purchase.
- The penalty is modest but it is automatic, and it starts from the purchase date rather than from any notice.
Verified 2026-09-24 against Missouri DOR — Boat/Vessel/Outboard Motor Titling and Registration and Missouri DOR — Form 93, Application for Boat/Vessel or Outboard Motor Title and Registration . Rules change — confirm before you sign.
Is a boat bill of sale required in Missouri?
Missouri gives a boat buyer 60 days to title, not the 30 days people remember from buying a car, and the penalty structure after that is its own. The outboard motor is titled too, on the same application as the hull, so a bill of sale naming only the boat leaves the engine undocumented.
Does a Missouri boat bill of sale need to be notarized?
Check the instructions for the specific title and bill-of-sale form. A requirement to notarize a title assignment does not automatically mean the separate bill of sale needs notarization. If notarization is required, wait to sign until the notary instructs you.
What to include on a Missouri boat bill of sale
- Buyer and seller names and addresses
- Year, make, model, and length
- Hull Identification Number (HIN) — 12 characters
- Motor details (make, horsepower, serial number)
- Whether a trailer is included
- Price, date, and signatures
Official sources
- Missouri DOR — Boat/Vessel/Outboard Motor Titling and Registration
- Missouri DOR — Form 93, Application for Boat/Vessel or Outboard Motor Title and Registration
Requirements change and can vary by county. Confirm with the Missouri DOR before you sign. Not legal advice.
Missouri Boat Bill of Sale — FAQ
Is a boat bill of sale required in Missouri?
Missouri gives a boat buyer 60 days to title, not the 30 days people remember from buying a car, and the penalty structure after that is its own. The outboard motor is titled too, on the same application as the hull, so a bill of sale naming only the boat leaves the engine undocumented.
Does a Missouri boat bill of sale need to be notarized?
Check the signing requirements for the specific title and bill-of-sale form. Notarization of a title assignment and notarization of a bill of sale are separate questions; a car rule does not establish the rule for this item.
What is a HIN on a boat bill of sale?
The Hull Identification Number is a 12-character code unique to the boat, similar to a VIN on a car. It is required to register the vessel and should be copied exactly.
Do I need a separate bill of sale for the boat trailer and motor?
The motor is usually described on the boat bill of sale. A trailer often has its own VIN and may need its own bill of sale and registration — use our trailer bill of sale for that.
Is a bill of sale proof of ownership?
Generally no. For titled property like a car or boat, the title is what proves ownership. A bill of sale proves that a sale happened and records the price, date, and terms — it supports the title transfer but does not replace it. For untitled property (furniture, equipment, electronics), the signed bill of sale is usually the main proof of ownership.