Free Maine Boat Bill of Sale Form (MDIFW 2026 PDF)

Q: Does Maine issue titles for boats?

No. Maine is a non-titling state for watercraft under 12 M.R.S. § 13056. The State of Maine does not issue certificates of title for boats or vessels regardless of length or age. Consequently, a properly executed, signed Bill of Sale serves as the primary legal proof of ownership and transfer for registration with the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife (MDIFW).

Q: What is the Maine Watercraft Excise Tax and where is it paid?

Under 36 M.R.S. § 1504, the watercraft excise tax is an annual local property tax assessed on all watercraft operating in Maine waters. It is paid directly to your municipal Town Office or City Hall prior to obtaining state registration decals. The tax is determined using statutory schedules based on overall vessel length and outboard motor horsepower.

Q: Does a Maine boat bill of sale need to be notarized?

While notarization is not strictly required by state statute for routine watercraft registrations when accompanied by the previous registration card, having Section G notarized is strongly recommended by Town Clerks and MDIFW agents whenever a vessel changes hands without recent registration records, in estate transfers, or for out-of-state acquisitions.

Q: Where do you register a boat trailer in Maine?

Boat trailers are not registered through the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife (MDIFW). In Maine, boat trailers are motor vehicle equipment governed by the Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV). Trailers are registered separately at your municipal Town Office or BMV branch after paying motor vehicle excise tax under 36 M.R.S. § 1482.

Q: What is the Maine Lake and River Protection Sticker (Milfoil Sticker)?

The Maine Lake and River Protection Sticker (commonly called the 'Milfoil Sticker') is a mandatory validation decal required under 12 M.R.S. § 13058 on all motorized watercraft operating on inland waters. For Maine-registered boats, it is integrated into the annual registration decal. Unregistered or out-of-state boats operating on Maine inland waters must purchase and display the standalone sticker annually to fund invasive aquatic plant prevention.

FORM SBF-ME-BOAT Statutory Year: 2026

12 M.R.S. § 13056 & 36 M.R.S. § 1504 (Excise Tax)

STATE OF MAINE STATUTORY BILL OF SALE

Vessel, Watercraft, Outboard Motor & Trailer Transfer Statement

Compliant with Maine Inland Fisheries & Wildlife (MDIFW) & Municipal 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 formally 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 & Municipal Filing Location

State:

Maine County *:

Town/City Office:

Section B: Complete Vessel (Hull) Description

Year Built *

Make / Builder *

Model Name / #

Length (Ft & In) *

Maine Reg #

Hull Material *

Vessel Type *

Hull Identification Number (HIN - Exactly 12 Characters) *

Section C: Outboard Motor & Boat Trailer Specifications

Motor Make

Year

HP *

Motor Serial #

Trailer Make

Year

Trailer VIN / Serial #

Weight

Trailer Included in Sale: YES (Trailer included in total transaction price below) NO (Vessel / Motor only) *Trailers registered through BMV / Town Office under 29-A M.R.S.

Section D: Identification of Parties (Transferor & Transferee)

1. SELLER (Transferor Information) Physical domicile address

Full Legal Name *

Physical Address (No P.O. Box) *

Town / City *

State

ZIP Code *

Phone Number

ME Driver License #

2. BUYER (Transferee Information) Must match MDIFW registration

Full Legal Name *

Physical Address (No P.O. Box) *

Town / City *

State

ZIP Code *

Phone Number

Driver License #

Section E: Financial Consideration & Statutory Itemized Price Breakdown

Hull Price $:

Motor Price $:

Trailer Price $:

TOTAL $ *:

Sale Date *:

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

SOLD STRICTLY "AS-IS, WHERE-IS" (11 M.R.S. § 2-316): Buyer acknowledges purchasing this watercraft, motor, and trailer in its present "AS-IS" condition, WITH ALL FAULTS AND DEFECTS, WHETHER KNOWN OR UNKNOWN. Seller disclaims all warranties, express or implied, including warranties of merchantability, seaworthiness, engine compression, structural integrity of transom/hull/stringers, electrical systems, and marine gear. Buyer certifies having inspected vessel or waived marine survey.

I, the Seller, certify under penalty of false swearing under Maine law (17-A M.R.S. § 452) that I am lawful owner with full right to transfer said vessel/motor/trailer, free of liens. Buyer acknowledges acceptance and receipt of vessel.

Section G: Signatures & State of Maine Notary Public Acknowledgment

Seller (Transferor) Signature Must match MDIFW record

Signature: ✕

Printed Name

Date

Buyer (Transferee) Signature Must match MDIFW registration

Signature: ✕

Printed Name

Date

STATE OF MAINE, COUNTY OF:

Before me, the undersigned notary, personally appeared the parties named above, known or proven through government photo ID to be the persons subscribed hereto, and acknowledged executing same.

Notary Public Signature

MM/DD/YYYY

My Commission Expires

★ Affix Notary Seal / Stamp Here

FORM SBF-ME-BOAT (Rev. 2026) • StateBillForms.com Maine 12 M.R.S. § 13056 & 36 M.R.S. § 1504 • Keep for MDIFW & Excise Records PAGE 1 OF 1

Official Process

Maine MDIFW 3-Step Boat Registration & Municipal Excise Guide

Follow Maine statutory requirements to complete private boat sales, pay municipal watercraft excise taxes, and register with Inland Fisheries & Wildlife.

Execute Form SBF-ME-BOAT

Because Maine is a non-titling boat state under 12 M.R.S. § 13056, this signed and itemized Bill of Sale serves as your primary legal proof of ownership. Seller should provide their previous Maine registration card.

Pay Municipal Watercraft Excise Tax

Under 36 M.R.S. § 1504, the buyer first visits their local municipal Town Office or City Hall to pay watercraft excise tax based on length and horsepower, obtaining an official excise tax receipt.

MDIFW Registration & Decals

Present the excise receipt and this Bill of Sale to your Town Clerk or MDIFW licensing agent. Pay 5.5% Maine Sales Tax, receive your registration card, validation stickers, and mandatory Milfoil sticker. (Trailer registered separately via BMV).

Statutory Summary

Maine Boat Sale Legal Requirements

Document / Requirement	Governing Statute	Legal Status	Statutory Purpose
Certificate of Title	12 M.R.S. § 13056	Non-Titling State	Maine does NOT issue boat titles; ownership is transferred strictly via Bill of Sale.
Form SBF-ME-BOAT Bill of Sale	12 M.R.S. § 13056	Mandatory	Primary legal document required by MDIFW and municipal clerks to prove transfer.
Municipal Watercraft Excise Tax	36 M.R.S. § 1504	Mandatory	Annual local tax paid to town clerk before state registration decals can be issued.
Lake & River Protection Sticker	12 M.R.S. § 13058	Mandatory (Inland)	Milfoil prevention decal required on all motorized watercraft operating on inland waters.
Boat Trailer Registration	29-A M.R.S. § 451	Separate (BMV)	Trailers are motor vehicle equipment registered via BMV or Town Office, not MDIFW.

FAQs

Maine Boat Bill of Sale Legal FAQs

Does Maine issue titles for boats?

What is the Maine Watercraft Excise Tax and where is it paid?

Does a Maine boat bill of sale need to be notarized?

Where do you register a boat trailer in Maine?

What is the Maine Lake and River Protection Sticker (Milfoil Sticker)?