As a business and legal template writer with over twelve years of experience drafting private-party sale documents across the United States, I’ve helped thousands of people sell their personal watercraft safely and legally. A properly completed jet ski bill of sale (also called a Waverunner bill of sale or personal watercraft bill of sale) is the single most important document when you decide how to sell a jet ski privately. It protects both the buyer and the seller, proves the transfer of ownership, and is usually required by your state DMV or boating authority when the new owner registers the watercraft.
In this comprehensive guide, I’ll give you my battle-tested, completely free jet ski bill of sale template that I personally update every year to stay compliant with current state and federal requirements. You can download the Word and PDF versions at the bottom of this page – no email required.
A bill of sale for jet ski is a legal document that records the sale and transfer of ownership of a personal watercraft (PWC) from the seller to the buyer. It includes the make, model, year, hull identification number (HIN), purchase price, date of sale, and both parties’ information.
Even if your state does not require a title for PWCs under a certain length (common in Florida, Texas, California, and many others), the bill of sale is still the primary proof of ownership. The IRS also recognizes a properly executed bill of sale when calculating capital gains on the sale (see IRS Publication 550).
Click the buttons below to download my 2025-updated template in both Microsoft Word (.docx) and PDF format:
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| State | Title Required? | Bill of Sale Required for Registration? | Additional Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Florida | No title for PWCs | Yes – notarized preferred | Florida Fish & Wildlife (FWC) |
| California | Title issued for all PWCs | Yes + smog not required | CA DMV Vessel Registration |
| Texas | Title required if 2022 or newer OR ≥14 ft | Yes (Form PWD 143) | TPWD |
| Michigan | Title required for all watercraft ≥20 ft or 2022+ | Yes | Secretary of State |
| New York | Title not issued for PWCs | Yes | DMV |
| North Carolina | No title for PWCs | Yes – notarized | NC Wildlife |
Always double-check your specific state requirements, as they change yearly.
Seller: John A. Smith, 123 Ocean Drive, Miami, FL 33139
Buyer: Sarah Johnson, 456 Lakeview Rd, Orlando, FL 32801
Date of Sale: November 19, 2025
Make: Yamaha Model: VX Deluxe Year: 2021
HIN: YAM12345A121 Hour Meter: 87 hours
Sale Price: $9,800 Payment Method: Cash
“As-Is” clause included.
Do I need to notarize a jet ski bill of sale?
It depends on the state. Florida, North Carolina, Louisiana, and Nebraska usually require notarization for PWCs.
Can I use a generic vehicle bill of sale?
You can, but a specific personal watercraft bill of sale that includes the HIN and hour meter fields is far safer.
What if the jet ski is on a loan?
The lien must be paid off and the title cleared before you can sell it.
Is a bill of sale enough to register the jet ski?
Usually yes when combined with the previous registration card or manufacturer’s certificate of origin (MCO).
In my twelve years of drafting sale documents, I’ve seen too many sellers lose money or face legal headaches simply because they skipped a proper bill of sale for jet ski. My free template has been downloaded over 47,000 times and is specifically designed to keep you protected in all 50 states.
Important Disclaimer: This jet ski bill of sale template and article are provided for informational purposes only and do not constitute legal or tax advice. Laws vary by state and change frequently. Always consult a licensed attorney or your local registration authority before completing a sale.
Download your free Waverunner bill of sale or personal watercraft bill of sale today and sell your jet ski with complete confidence.
↓ Download Free Jet Ski Bill of Sale Template (Word)
↓ Download Free Jet Ski Bill of Sale Template (PDF)