Transferring Boat From Another State

[livemusic]

I am buying a bass boat registered in Arkansas and I live in neighboring Louisiana. I think to have everything all well here, I will have to register the boat with the DWF for the boat numbers and register the trailer with DMV. I think I will need a bill of sale. Does anyone have any idea... my gf in LA is a notary. Could I get her to do the notary part or would I need an AR notary?

[BaitMonkey1984]

The notary can notarize your signature within the confines of the state they are authorized to administer a notary- I believe. I am a lawyer and because many of my agreements must be notarized I am also a MA notary. Therefore, I can only notarize within the confines of the state. A majority of banks will notarize your signature for free, simply bring along a valid photo ID. Or you can finalize the deal in LA so your gf can notarize for you. Just my two cents. 

[CRANKENSTIEN]

Are you buying from a dealer? If so they should be able to provide you the paperwork. I purchased a boat in Missouri and registered in illinois. The dealer gave me the proper paper work and the titles even though I financed it. I then just took it in to a place that does the registering. If that isn't an option just contact your registering body. Dmv and dnr here.

[Fishing Rhino]

What you really need is a clear/clean title of the boat, trailer, and possibly the motor as well in order for you to register it in your state.  If your state has a sales tax, you will need a bill of sale in order to determine the tax you must pay before it can be registered.

 

Sans a bill of sale, the state will make a determination as to what the taxes should be, and they will usually take the highest blue book value for the year and make of the rig.

[retiredbosn]

What you really need is a clear/clean title of the boat, trailer, and possibly the motor as well in order for you to register it in your state. If your state has a sales tax, you will need a bill of sale in order to determine the tax you must pay before it can be registered.

Not necessarily, GA for example does not title boats, outboard or trailers. SC titles the boat and outboard. You have to determine what the selling state requires as proof of ownership make sure the owner provides you the original documents. Then u have to determine what LA requires and submit both to get the boat motor and trailer transferred to u. Different states require different documentation and it can get tricky. Good luck

[Fishing Rhino]

Not necessarily, GA for example does not title boats, outboard or trailers. SC titles the boat and outboard. You have to determine what the selling state requires as proof of ownership make sure the owner provides you the original documents. Then u have to determine what LA requires and submit both to get the boat motor and trailer transferred to u. Different states require different documentation and it can get tricky. Good luck

 

It definitely varies from state to state, but I'd still want a title or some documentation that will allow me to sell the boat to someone who lives in a state that requires a title.  I don't know what all is involved in that.  Perhaps the certificate of origin will suffice in lieu of a title.

[retiredbosn]

It definitely varies from state to state, but I'd still want a title or some documentation that will allow me to sell the boat to someone who lives in a state that requires a title. I don't know what all is involved in that. Perhaps the certificate of origin will suffice in lieu of a title.

What I did was get the copy of registration from the DNR & notarized bill of sale. SC was happy with that. Georgia also doesn't title cars more than 10 years old. Awhile back I found an old 79 F150 that I wanted to restore, no title. I called SC DMV to see how to proceed, I was told I had to track down the last owner that actually titled the truck and get that person to acquire the title and sign it over to me. Although the title wasn't required by Georgia law, whoever holds the title is the owner regardless of registration, that's Georgia law. Oh yeah, if that person wanted the truck back I would have to give it to them! Needless to say I didn't purchase the truck.

[martintheduck]

Fellow Louisiana resident and boat owner checking in...

 

 

I'd recommend taking a drive to your local LDWF office and ask to speak with someone in person. They will give you all the needed paper work and it's kind of a headache to get everything perfect. I filled all the paperwork out and didn't get my #'s for like 2 months and FINALLY got a letter saying I owed them like $15.36 before they'd give me numbers. ANYHOW - Got to LWDF and they will be able to get you squared away.

 

 

You are correct --- you'll register the trailer at the DMV and register the boat/motor with LDWF 

 

 

As far as what I remember from my purchase ---- Get a bill of sale on one piece of paper that states "I bought boat XYZ for $5,000, bought motor YamahaXYZ for $2,000, bought trailer XYZ for $1,000." Get it notarized. Not sure what you'll need the bill of sale for when buying out of state. I bought in state and need a bill of sale for the DMV. Buying locally, you are only required to pay sales taxes on the trailer to the DMV. I declared the value of my trailer at $100 and paid like $10 in taxes (as per the recommendation of the guy working at the DMV). You'll also need to fill out the "sales" portion of the title to the boat. Get the title notarized too. You'll need to fill out some paper work you can get at LDWF office or online and mail them in a check for like $50.

 

I'm not 100% sure how out of state purchases go, but I do know you will be subjected to paying full taxes in Arkansas. I believe you'll need submit proof to LDWF that you paid the Arkansas taxes.

 

 

So ultimately, you'll need a notarized itemized bill of sale, a notarized title, and some kind of proof you paid taxes in Arkansas.

 

 

 

Go to LDWF in person and get all the proper paper work and have someone break down exactly what to do. Last thing you want is to miss an important detail.