New Mexico Boat Bill of Sale Form
A New Mexico boat bill of sale form records the sale of a boat between a seller and buyer. It captures all the necessary details regarding the transaction, such as the purchase price, the boat’s specifications, and both parties’ signatures.
Completing the form is necessary in order to successfully register the boat with the state.
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How to Register a Boat in New Mexico
All motorboats in New Mexico require registration. Boats longer than ten (10) feet also need a title. Residents must make an appointment through the Motor Vehicle Division (MVD) of the Taxation and Revenue Department to take care of these matters.
The state requires a boat inspection and decontamination for 1) watercraft coming into New Mexico from another state and 2) vessels re-entering New Mexico. This examination checks for aquatic invasive species (AIS) to prevent spreading in local waterways.
Step 1 – Exemptions
Motorized boats in New Mexico do not need registration if they are:
- Owned and documented by the U.S. Coast Guard;
- Registered and/or titled in another state or country and operated in New Mexico waterways for less than ninety (90) consecutive days; and/or
- U.S. Government- or State-owned.
Step 2 – Title
Owners of boats over ten (10) feet long need to obtain a title. However, owners of vessels under ten (10) feet long can title it if they pay the required fees and excise tax.
Individuals can apply for a title by completing and submitting an Application for Vessel Title and Registration (Form MVD-10003). The state must receive the documentation within thirty (30) days of the sale to avoid penalties.
Step 3 – Registration
Per state law, vessels propelled by machinery or sail must have valid tags. The registration card, or certificate of number, must always be on the boat, along with a validation decal.
Owners must provide a completed Application for Vessel Title and Registration (Form MVD-10003) and pay the required fees, which depend on the vessel’s length. Once registered, the tags last for three (3) years.
Step 4 – Numbers + Decal
Once the owner receives their certificate of number and decal, they must display the information on the vessel. Individuals cannot legally operate their boats otherwise.
Residents must paint or affix the number on both sides of the boat’s front end (bow). It must have block letters no less than three (3) inches in height. Other boaters must be able to see the display from at least one hundred (100) feet away.
The current registration decal also belongs within six (6) inches of the number on the port (left) side. Each renewal year, the owner must remove the previous sticker and replace it with the new one.
Step 5 – Renew
New Mexico boat registrations expire on December 31st of the third year. Individuals can submit the paperwork online, by phone, or by making an appointment at an MVD office.