In all but seven states, a Canoe is not required to carry registration unless it uses mechanical propulsion. Those states that do require Canoe registration are Alaska, Arizona, Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Ohio, Oklahoma, and Pennsylvania. If the transaction occurs in one of these seven states, a proper title will need to be signed over by the seller to the buyer acknowledging the sale. In addition, both parties will need to sign a Ohio Canoe Bill of Sale to document the parties, sales price, Hull Identification Number, and signatures of the buyer and seller.
What if the Title isn’t Available?
More often than not, a title does not exist for a Canoe because it is not required by most state law (with the exception of the state’s listed above). If the owner does not have a title, don’t fret because the transaction can still occur with the use of a Ohio Canoe Bill of Sale. If you don’t need to title or register your Canoe, then the bill of sale will act as your proof of ownership.
If purchasing a Canoe that isn’t titled or registered, call your local police station to have the Hull Identification Number run to be sure it isn’t reported as stolen.
What Makes a Bill of Sale?
When deciding on which Canoe Bill of Sale it is critical to look for certain criteria in the document itself, to be sure it is valid and binding. This includes:
Clear Buyer and Seller Information – If contested, a court will generally look to the title and the bill of sale for determining ownership. If the seller or buyers information is not clear, a judge may have difficultly interpreting who owns the Canoe. It is also crucial when registering the vehicle. Registering the vehicle will require both the title be signed and also a bill of sale documenting the purchase agreement.
The Offer – There must be a clear offer made by the seller which the buyer is accepting. Ambiguity will only make it more difficult when determining whether a contract is valid. You want a Canoe Bill of Sale that clearly spells out the year, make, condition and description of the vehicle.
An Exchange of Funds – In exchange for the Canoe, money is typically given to the seller. An effective bill of sale will include a clear itemization of the sale price using both numeric and written dollar amounts.
Competent Parties – Both parties entering in the agreement must be of sound mind and body. Typically this prevents child or persons with mental handicaps from entering in a contract that they may not understand. It can also be sometimes extended (based on your jurisdiction) to persons under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Persons under duress may also not be consider competent.
Can’t Break The Law – Generally, a valid contract can’t break the law. An agreement to split the funds from a bank robbery would be void as it violates public policy.
Ohio Canoe Bill of Sale Template
Below is our generic Canoe Bill of Sale Template that can be used for any county in Ohio.
Common Asked Questions/FAQ
What if the seller doesn’t have the title?
In the event that the boat was titled and the original title is not available, you can still purchase the Canoe with a bill of sale. The seller can apply for a replacement title with the Registration office and sign over to you. If no title existed, then the Bill of Sale will act as proof of ownership to get the registration transferred to your name.
Can we e-sign the bill of sale?
It depends on your state. We suggest you check your local state laws regarding the validity of electronic signatures.
What to do with the bill of sale?
Whether you are the buyer or seller it is always a good idea to save a copy for your records. If you have a scanner, make a digital copy of the document. If not, take a picture of the document and email it to yourself.
Does the bill of sale need to be notarized?
It depends on your state. We suggest you check your local state laws regarding notarizing signatures on a contract. As a general rule of thumb, it doesn’t hurt to get the bill of sale notarized even if it doesn’t need to be by law.