Hi all. Wasn’t sure if this is an acceptable spot to post this…When purchasing a used canoe, I believe I need to bring this to the DMV:

Title, certificate of registration, and sales receipt that shows I paid sales tax. Am I supposed to get all three of these from the owner? How do I pay sales tax when it is a private purchase?

Hoping for clarification.

I've typically gotten away with just a bill of sale. I found a generic bill-of-sale form on the internet years ago, printed off a dozen and put them in my glove box. I have whipped them up by hand before too but I never remember all of the little details like HIN, date, seller's address, etc.

If you're purchasing a boat that was previously registered in MN the registration information should all be on the stickers that should have been affixed to the boat. I don't believe this is a sticking point if you don't have them. The Hull Identification Number (HIN) is the most important part, it is typically engraved or stamped into a metal plate that is affixed to the hull near the stern. Sometimes they are illegible, sometimes they go missing. The HIN will also be on the registration. If it's a home-built canoe you can make up your own HIN. The HIN needs to be on the BOS.

You pay the sales tax when you register it. I'm pretty sure. I've only ever registered canoes in MN as a non-resident and therefor not had to pay sales tax. You'd only have a receipt that says you paid the sales tax already if you bought it from a dealer.

I've never received a title from a seller. In the last decade I've purchased 3 canoes in MN, that were previously registered in MN, and then registered them in my name in MN as a WI or ND resident with just a BOS and never had any issues.

Go to the DMV and try! Not having enough information is not a crime. I had to go back 3 times for the recently upgraded drivers licenses.

Previous thread from 2015

All you should need is a bill of sale including the HIN. You will have to pay a registration fee and possibly sales tax. You can hand write one or print off any old generic one from the internet as Z4K mentioned. Make sure you have an original version of the bill of sale to take to the DMV. If you bring in a photo copy or screen shot they will ask you to bring in the original or obtain one (have had to have an outfitter mail me another).

Minnesota doesn't have titles for small boats (16ft or less) and canoes. You only pay sales tax on a new boat, not used, private party sales. The MN DNR website lists the registration requirements. There is a link to a universal registration form there that can be used for all boat/canoe licensing.

BWCAgoer?

When I sold my canoe, the buyer just had to produce a bill of sale as the previous posters reported. I think I signed it electronically for him. There shouldn’t be any sales tax on private canoe sales.

T

Wish it were just a lifetime registration like a small utility trailer; my local DMV is always at least an hour wait.

And of course, it's not always easy...I got sent away a few years back when trying to register a new-to-me canoe (a northstar). Had bill of sale w/ HIN plus a photo of the HIN...DMV said the HIN did not match their system.

Oh well - I tried to give them my money. That canoe remains unregistered.

jhb8426: "Minnesota doesn't have titles for small boats (16ft or less) and canoes. You only pay sales tax on a new boat, not used, private party sales. The MN DNR website lists the registration requirements. There is a link to a universal registration form there that can be used for all boat/canoe licensing."

I've seen others mention that 16 ft is the cutoff which makes me think they changed it at some time, and of course the change was not in our favor. MN DNR watercraft registration states "Non-motorized watercraft 10ft or less do not require registration"

The line item that state "pleasure craft less than 17 ft" implies that if its got a motor its got a fee.