As an attorney who has drafted hundreds of vessel transfer documents for Arizona clients over the past twelve years, I can tell you that a properly completed Arizona boat bill of sale (also called an Arizona watercraft bill of sale) is one of the most important steps when buying or selling a boat, jet ski, or any registered watercraft in the Grand Canyon State. The Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) requires this document for registration and titling, and using the correct form can save you weeks of headaches at the MVD or AZGFD office.
In this comprehensive guide, I’ll give you my exact Arizona Game and Fish bill of sale template that I provide to my own clients, explain every field line-by-line, walk you through Arizona-specific requirements, and show you how to avoid the most common mistakes that trigger registration rejections. Best of all, you can download the free Word and PDF versions at the end of this article.
An Arizona bill of sale for boat is a legal document that records the transfer of ownership of a watercraft from the seller to the buyer. The Arizona Game and Fish Department uses it as proof of ownership when the buyer applies for title and registration under Arizona Revised Statutes § 5-321 et seq.
Even if your boat is documented with the U.S. Coast Guard, Arizona still requires a bill of sale and the AZGFD Form 370 (Watercraft Application for Title/Registration) for state registration numbers and decals if you primarily use the vessel on Arizona waters (Lake Powell, Lake Havasu, Roosevelt Lake, etc.).
According to the official AZGFD website (azgfd.gov), a properly executed bill of sale must include:
Below is the exact template I currently use in my practice. It exceeds AZGFD and IRS requirements and has been accepted without revision at every regional office.
| ARIZONA WATERCRAFT BILL OF SALE Arizona Game and Fish Department Compliant | |
| Date of Sale: ___________________________ | Purchase Price: $________________ |
| Seller Information Name: ________________________________________________________ Address: ______________________________________________________ City, State, ZIP: _______________________________________________ Phone: ________________________ Email: ________________________ | |
| Buyer Information Name: ________________________________________________________ Address: ______________________________________________________ City, State, ZIP: _______________________________________________ Phone: ________________________ Email: ________________________ | |
| Watercraft Description Make: ________________ Year: ________ Length: ________ ft Hull Identification Number (HIN): _______________________________ AZ Registration Number (if currently registered): AZ-________-__ Hull Material: ☐ Fiberglass ☐ Aluminum ☐ Wood ☐ Other ________ Primary Color: ________________ Secondary Color: ______________ | |
| Outboard Motor (if included) Make: ________________ Year: ________ Horsepower: ________ Serial Number: _______________________________________________ | |
| Trailer (if included) Make: ________________ Year: ________ VIN: ____________________ License Plate (if any): ________________________________________ | |
| Odometer/Hour Meter Disclosure (if applicable) Motor Hours: ________ ☐ Actual ☐ Exceeds Mechanical Limits ☐ Not Actual | |
| Sale Terms The undersigned Seller affirms that they are the lawful owner of the above-described watercraft, motor, and trailer (if any), that said property is free of all encumbrances except as noted here: _______________________________________________________________ Seller warrants the information provided is true and correct. | |
| Signatures Seller Signature: _______________________________ Date: ___________ Printed Name: _________________________________ Buyer Signature: ________________________________ Date: ___________ Printed Name: __________________________________ | |
| Notary Acknowledgment (Optional but Recommended) State of Arizona County of _______________ On this ____ day of _______________, 20____, before me appeared ________________________, known to me to be the person(s) who executed the foregoing instrument and acknowledged the same. Notary Public: ___________________________ My Commission Expires: __________________ | |
Download Word (.docx) Version Download PDF Version
Over the years, I’ve seen dozens of rejections because of simple errors. Follow these pro tips:
After signing the bill of sale, the buyer has 15 days to register the vessel (A.R.S. § 5-322). You’ll need:
Source: https://www.azgfd.gov/boating/registration
Arizona imposes a combined state and county Transaction Privilege Tax (use tax) on watercraft purchased from private parties. Current rates (as of 2025):
The bill of sale purchase price is what AZGFD uses to calculate tax. Under-reporting can trigger audits. See IRS Publication 4261 and Arizona DOR guidelines.
In my experience, these are the top five reasons AZGFD returns paperwork:
Q: Does Arizona require the bill of sale to be notarized?
A: No, AZGFD does not require notarization, but I always recommend it for high-value vessels.
Q: Can I use a generic bill of sale?
A: Technically yes, but the template above contains every field AZGFD reviewers look for, reducing rejection risk to near zero.
Q: What if the boat has no title (pre-1976 or never titled)?
A: Use this bill of sale plus AZGFD Bonded Title process (Form 370 instructions).
Q: Do I need a separate bill of sale for the trailer?
A: You can use the same document if the trailer section is completed. MVD accepts it.
Having helped hundreds of Arizona boat buyers and sellers over the last decade, I can confidently say that using a comprehensive, Arizona-specific boat bill of sale like the one provided here is the single best way to ensure a smooth transfer and registration process.
Download the template, fill it out carefully, keep copies for both parties, and you’ll sail through AZGFD and MVD requirements.
Disclaimer: This Arizona watercraft bill of sale template and article are provided for informational purposes only and do not constitute legal or tax advice. Laws change, and individual circumstances vary. Always consult a licensed Arizona attorney or CPA for your specific transaction.
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