Montana Boat Title Transfer: MV1A Form, Fees & Step-by-Step Process (2026)

How Montana Boat Title Transfers Work

Montana requires a Certificate of Ownership (title) for most motorboats, personal watercraft (PWC), and sailboats 12 feet or longer. Unlike many states where titles are processed through the DMV, Montana boat titles are handled through your local County Treasurer's Office using the FWP MV1A form — the "Application for Vessel Certificate of Title."

The Montana title transfer system has several distinctive features that set it apart from other states. First, Montana offers permanent registration — once your boat is registered, there are no annual renewal fees (validation decals are issued for 3-year periods and can be renewed at no cost through FWP). Second, Montana has no state sales tax, meaning you pay zero sales tax on the boat purchase itself. Third, the seller must sign the title in the presence of a county treasurer, deputy county treasurer, or notary public — informal signatures are not valid.

The title transfer fee in Montana is $12.00 (or $10.00 for the Certificate of Ownership depending on the county processing). Combined with no sales tax and permanent registration, Montana is one of the most affordable states in the nation for boat ownership. For a full breakdown of all registration costs, see the Montana Boat Registration page.

Who Needs a Montana Boat Title?

Montana law requires a Certificate of Ownership (title) for the following vessel types:

If you add a motor — even a small electric trolling motor — to any exempt vessel, it immediately requires both a title and registration. For details on non-motorized vessel rules, see our guide on Montana kayak registration rules.

Montana Boat Title Transfer: Step-by-Step Process

The following diagram shows the complete Montana boat title transfer process from purchase to receiving your new title:

Step 1: Seller Signs the Certificate of Ownership

The seller must sign the back of the existing Montana Certificate of Ownership (title) in the presence of a county treasurer, deputy county treasurer, or notary public. This is a critical requirement — a title signed without proper witnessing is invalid for transfer purposes.

The seller's signature section on the back of the title includes fields for the purchase price, date of sale, and odometer reading (if applicable). Do not use white-out or cross-outs anywhere on the title document. Any alterations will cause the County Treasurer to reject the application, requiring you to obtain a duplicate title before the transfer can proceed.

If the boat is coming from out of state and the seller holds an out-of-state title, that title is acceptable for establishing ownership in Montana. The seller should still sign the title and provide a Bill of Sale.

Step 2: Buyer Completes the MV1A Application

The buyer downloads and completes FWP form MV1A — Application for Vessel Certificate of Title. This form is available from any County Treasurer's Office or from the Montana FWP website. The MV1A requires:

Vessel Information: Make, model, year, overall length, hull material, propulsion type, fuel type, and Hull Identification Number (HIN). The HIN is a 12-character alphanumeric code typically stamped on the starboard side of the transom.

Owner Information: Full legal name, mailing address, Montana physical address (if different), phone number, and date of birth. If the boat will be owned by an LLC or trust, the entity name and registered agent information are required.

Previous Ownership: Information about the prior owner, including name, address, and the previous registration state and number.

If the vessel does not have a HIN — common with homemade boats or very old vessels — you must arrange a HIN inspection by a Montana law enforcement officer or a Department of Justice representative. You can visit an FWP office to get a HIN assigned before submitting the MV1A.

Step 3: Submit Everything to the County Treasurer

Bring the completed MV1A form, the signed previous title (or MCO for new boats), the Bill of Sale, and your valid photo ID to your local County Treasurer's Office. If your government-issued ID does not reflect your current Montana address, you will also need proof of residency (utility bill, lease, etc.).

The County Treasurer receives and processes all title applications in person. Online title transfers are not available in Montana — you must submit in person or by mail. However, subsequent validation decal renewals can be done online through the FWP website.

If a financial institution holds the original title (for example, if there is a remaining loan on an out-of-state boat), you will need to complete an MV63 — Request for Foreign Title Transfer form and have the lien holder send the title directly to the County Treasurer's Office.

Step 4: Pay Title and Registration Fees

At the County Treasurer's Office, you pay the title fee and, if the boat is not already registered in Montana, the one-time permanent registration fee. Here is the complete fee breakdown:

The registration fee is only charged once — when the new owner first registers the boat. For used boats already registered in Montana, the new owner pays only the $12.00 title transfer fee (no additional registration fee is charged). Use our Boat Registration Fee Calculator to estimate your total costs.

Step 5: Receive Your New Montana Title

After the County Treasurer processes your application, the state of Montana will mail you a new Certificate of Ownership within 4 to 6 weeks. You will also receive permanent registration decals and a validation sticker.

During the processing period, you can operate the boat if the County Treasurer issues you a temporary registration permit. This permit must be kept on board the vessel at all times while operating. The temporary permit is valid until your permanent documents arrive.

Montana registration numbers follow the format MT 1234 AB and must be displayed on both sides of the bow in block letters at least 3 inches high, in a color that contrasts with the hull. The validation decal must be placed within 6 inches of the registration number.

The 40-Day Rule: Don't Miss This Deadline

Montana law requires the new owner to apply for a change of Certificate of Ownership (title) and registration within 40 days of the purchase or transfer date. This is not merely a suggestion — operating an untitled vessel beyond the 40-day window is a violation of Montana boating law.

If you plan to use the boat during the 40-day application period, you must obtain a temporary registration permit from the County Treasurer before launching. This permit allows legal operation while your paperwork is being processed.

The 40-day clock starts from the date of sale as documented on the Bill of Sale. If you are purchasing from out of state and need time to transport the vessel to Montana, the clock still starts from the sale date — so plan accordingly and submit your paperwork as early as possible.

Buying from a Dealer vs. Private Seller

The title transfer process differs depending on whether you buy from a licensed dealer or a private individual:

Dealer Purchase: Licensed Montana boat dealers handle most of the paperwork on your behalf. The dealer will submit the MV1A application, the Manufacturer's Certificate of Origin (MCO) or properly assigned title, and collect the title and registration fees. You will receive your title and registration documents by mail. The dealer may also process the AIS Prevention Pass if required.

Private Sale: In a private transaction, the seller and buyer are jointly responsible for completing the transfer. The seller signs the title in the presence of a notary or county official and provides the buyer with a signed Bill of Sale. The buyer then takes all documents to the County Treasurer's Office, completes the MV1A, and pays fees. It is critical that both parties carefully verify the Hull Identification Number matches between the title, Bill of Sale, and physical vessel.

Out-of-State Purchase: If you buy a boat from another state and bring it to Montana, the out-of-state title serves as proof of ownership. You submit the out-of-state title along with your MV1A application and Bill of Sale to the County Treasurer. Montana will issue a Montana title and cancel the out-of-state document. Remember: Montana charges no sales tax on the purchase, which is one reason many out-of-state buyers register boats in Montana.

Montana vs. Neighboring States: Title Transfer Comparison

Montana shares borders with Idaho, Wyoming, North Dakota, and South Dakota. Here is how boat title transfers compare across these states:

Montana is unique among its neighbors: it is the only state in the region that both issues boat titles and charges zero sales tax. Idaho, Wyoming, North Dakota, and South Dakota all use registration-only systems with no formal title documents, but they all charge sales tax. For full details on each neighbor's process, visit our state pages for Idaho, Wyoming, North Dakota, and South Dakota boat registration.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Based on common issues reported by County Treasurer offices across Montana, these are the most frequent mistakes during the title transfer process:

1. Alterations on the title document: Any white-out, cross-outs, or erasures on the Certificate of Ownership will cause the application to be rejected. If the seller makes an error while signing the title, they must request a duplicate title before the transfer can proceed.

2. Missing notarization on seller's signature: The seller must sign in the presence of a county treasurer, deputy county treasurer, or notary public. A title signed at the kitchen table without a witness is not valid for transfer. This is the single most common reason for rejected applications.

3. Exceeding the 40-day deadline: New owners must apply for the title transfer within 40 days of purchase. Operating an untitled vessel after this window is a legal violation. If you are transporting the boat from out of state, plan to submit paperwork early.

4. Missing HIN on homemade or older boats: If the vessel lacks a Hull Identification Number, you must get one assigned before the title application can proceed. Contact your local FWP office to arrange a HIN inspection and assignment.

5. Not getting a temporary permit: If you want to use the boat before your title arrives (4-6 weeks), you need a temporary registration permit from the County Treasurer. Operating without this permit during the processing period is a violation.

6. Forgetting the AIS Prevention Pass: Non-resident buyers must purchase a Vessel AIS Prevention Pass ($30 motorized, $10 non-motorized) before launching in Montana waters. This is separate from the title and registration process but legally required.