Montana Boat, RV & Powersports Guide

Private-party title transfer, registration, lien search, sales tax, and USCG documentation rules for Montana.

Title Required

❌ No

Registration only

Bill of Sale

✅ Required

For all transfers

Sales Tax

None

On boat purchases

State Agency

Official Site ↗

Title & Registration in Montana

Montana does not issue titles for recreational boats. Instead, vessels are registered with the state. The registration certificate and bill of sale serve as proof of ownership.

Montana has no sales tax and does not issue boat titles. Register with Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks within 30 days.

Lien Search in Montana

Before completing any private-party purchase, run a lien search to confirm the vessel has no outstanding loans or encumbrances.

Montana Official Lien Search ↗

For USCG-documented vessels, also search the National Vessel Documentation Center (NVDC).

Bill of Sale Requirements

Montana requires a bill of sale to transfer title. Your bill of sale should include:

Hull Identification Number (HIN) or VIN
Make, model, and year of the vessel
Full legal names and addresses of buyer and seller
Purchase price and date of sale
Odometer reading (motorhomes/RVs)
Signatures of both parties
Notarization if required by Montana

Sales Tax on Boats & Powersports in Montana

Montana has no state sales tax on boat or powersports purchases. This makes it a popular state for large vessel transactions.

USCG Documentation in Montana

Montana is landlocked. USCG documentation does not apply. All motorized vessels require state registration.

USCG-documented vessels carry a Certificate of Documentation (COD) issued by the National Vessel Documentation Center. This is recognized internationally and is preferred by lenders for boats over 26 ft. Even with USCG documentation, Montana may still require state registration for operation on in-state waters.

Apply for USCG Documentation →