WAtercraft Transfers

IN STATE TRANSFERS

In order to transfer a watercraft within the state of Arizona, the seller must provide the buyer with a properly completed Bill of Sale. A current registration card is helpful in establishing the Hull Identification Number (HIN), but not required.

The Bill of Sale must have the Sellers Name and Signature, The HIN#, Sale Date, Sale Price, and Buyers Name(s).

An AZGFD Watercraft Application must be completed and submitted with the documents listed above.

OUT OF STATE TRANSFERS

Out of state rules regarding watercraft transfers vary.

Some states are titling states, meaning that any watercraft coming from their jurisdiction will have an accompanying title. This title must be present (and notarized, if applicable), in order to transfer the watercraft into Arizona.

Other states are registration only states. In order to transfer a watercraft from a registration only state into Arizona, the registration must be present along with a properly completed Bill of Sale.

As with in state transfers, an AZGFD Watercraft Application must be completed and submitted with the documents listed above.

IMPORTANT: Does your out of state watercraft have a lien on it?

Arizona does not title boats! If you are coming in from another state and wish to register a boat in Arizona that currently has a lien on it, there is an addition form that must be filled out. 

Watercraft Lienholder Notification [PDF]

This form is used by Game and Fish to record the lien on your watercraft’s Arizona record. The lienholder will and must be notified of the attempted registration.

ARE YOU A RESIDENT?

You are eligible to register your watercraft as an Arizona resident, if you are:

  1. A member of the armed forces of the United States on active duty and stationed in this state for a period of 30 days immediately before the date of application for a watercraft decal.

  2. A member of the armed forces of the United States on active duty and stationed in another state or another country and who lists this state as that member’s home of record at the time of an application for a watercraft decal.

  3. Domiciled in this state for at least six consecutive months immediately before the date of the application for a watercraft decal and do not claim residency for any purpose in any other state or country. 

If the residency of the applicant is in question, AZ Game and Fish will consider whether or not the applicant:

  1. Claims residency for any purpose in any other state or jurisdiction.

  2. Has been issued an Arizona driver’s license or an Arizona commercial driver’s license. (The possession of an Arizona ID card is not considered evidence of residency).

  3. Is employed full-time in Arizona.

  4. Files federal and/or state income taxes as an Arizona resident.

  5. Is registered to vote in Arizona.

  6. Is enrolled in, or has minor children enrolled in an Arizona public school without payment of non-resident tuition.

Please Note:
One can spend a large portion of every year in Arizona and not be a true Arizona resident. Ownership of property in Arizona does not entitle the owner to claim residency and has little bearing on determination of domicile. If you obtain resident rates for hunting, fishing, tags or any other special licenses or tuition in another state, you cannot apply for resident rates in Arizona. Likewise, if you exercise resident privileges for the purposes of boat registration or hunting or fishing in Arizona, you cannot do so in another state. It is unlawful to claim two states as your place of domicile at the same time.