West Virginia Boat, RV & Powersports Guide

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

Title Required

❌ No

Registration only

Bill of Sale

✅ Required

For all transfers

Sales Tax

6.00%

On boat purchases

State Agency

Official Site ↗

Title & Registration in West Virginia

West Virginia 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.

West Virginia does not title boats. Register with WV DNR within 30 days and pay 6% use tax.

Lien Search in West Virginia

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

West Virginia Official Lien Search ↗

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

Bill of Sale Requirements

West Virginia 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 West Virginia

Sales Tax on Boats & Powersports in West Virginia

West Virginia charges 6.00% sales tax on boat and powersports purchases. Sales tax is typically collected when you register the vessel with the state. Some counties add additional local taxes. Check with your local West Virginia agency for the full rate.

USCG Documentation in West Virginia

USCG documentation may apply for vessels on the Ohio River used commercially.

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, West Virginia may still require state registration for operation on in-state waters.

Apply for USCG Documentation →