Can anybody tell me why if I have a certificate of origin for a boat trailer why do I need a notarized note saying that I bought a trailer from the other guy? Or is the certificate of origin enough? This is in New Jersey. Any help will be appreciated.

Is it a new trailer or an used one? You only need a notarized bill of sale or proof of purchase. It can be written on toilet paper or printed on a fancy bill of sale with a business letter head on it. It doesn't matter as long it has your name and signature as the buyer, his name and signature as the seller, the sale price, and dated. The notarized part just makes it look like it is a legit sale, and the trailer wasn't stolen I guess. The certificate of origin is gonna give the DMV the info for the trailer I.E. the Vin, Year, make, model, and weight which will be on your registration once you get it. Unless it's a new trailer then the Certificate of Origin would be all you need with the bill of sale. Just went thru this 2 weeks ago. I bought a used  PWS trailer for my kayak from a trailer dealer. He didn't have any paperwork (the reg and CoO) because it was a trade in.  All I needed was a Notarized bill of sale and ID. Bim Bam Boom the trailer is mine.   Just a FYI, I went to the DMV in Oakland, and had no issues.

It's a Jersey thing, need it notarized. I'm in Jersey and just dealt with it for a small trailer.
Ups stores have notaries

 

I dealt with flemington

I've been reading the net on people having nightmares trying to register a used trailer with no papers here in Jersey, and even having the Certificate of origin wouldn't help. I was a little paranoid. Even the dealer I bought my used trailer from said it would be, but then again I think he was trying to sway me into buying a new trailer. It's nearly impossible if you don't have the title if the trailer weight requires it. So I did my research according to my specific trailer on the MVC web site, and even called the MVC to verify. I just make sure you have your Ts crossed and Is dotted, and have all the appropriate paper work.