Bill of Sale Templates

Use our bill of sale forms to record the sale of any item and protect both buyer and seller.

bill of sale form

Updated August 21, 2024
Written by Sara Hostelley | Reviewed by Brooke Davis

A bill of sale is a document that details a sales transaction or transfer of ownership between two parties. Similar to receipts, it records the sale or transfer of valuable assets like cars and protects the buyer and seller from future legal disputes over the item’s condition or ownership.

Either party (buyer or seller) can write a bill of sale, but it’s typically prepared by the seller. Once signed, both parties should keep copies to prove the transaction’s completion.

Legal Considerations

By State

By Type (31)

General (Personal Property) Bill of Sale form

General (Personal Property)

<a href=Motor Vehicle Bill of Sale Form" width="200" height="260" />

Motor Vehicle

boat bill of sale form

Boat

Trailer Bill of Sale form

Trailer

Firearm (Gun) Bill of Sale Form

Firearm

Equipment Bill of Sale screenshot

Equipment

motorcycle bill of sale form

Motorcycle

aircraft bill of sale form

Aircraft

As-is bill of sale screenshot

As-Is

ATV Bill of Sale Sample

ATV

bicycle bill of sale

Bicycle

Business Bill of Sale screenshot

Business

cat bill of sale

Cat

Dog Bill of Sale Screenshot

Dog

dirt bike bill of sale

Dirt Bike

Even Trade Bill of Sale screenshot

Even Trade

furniture bill of sale sample

Furniture

gifted car bill of sale template

Gifted Car

Golf Cart Bill of Sale Template

Golf Cart

horse bill of sale template

Horse

jet ski bill of sale form

Jet Ski

Livestock Bill of Sale screenshot

Livestock

mobile home bill of sale

Mobile Home

scooter bill of sale template

Scooter

Notarized Bill of Sale screenshot

Notarized

rv bill of sale form

RV

semi truck bill of sale

Semi-Truck

tractor bill of sale form

Tractor

utv bill of sale template

UTV

lawnmower bill of sale form

Lawn Mower

snowmobile bill of sale template

Snowmobile

How to Buy and Sell a Vehicle

Buyers and sellers can follow these steps to buy and sell vehicles privately.

Step 1 – Obtain Vehicle Information

graphic depicting where to find a vin on a used vehicle

The buyer should get the motor vehicle’s vehicle identification number (VIN) from the seller to determine the car’s ownership and accident history. This 17-character number is unique to every car and can be found on the automobile’s title or registration.

They can also see whether someone has ever tampered with the car’s odometer or if the vehicle has a significant malfunction or defect that makes it unsafe to drive.

Conducting your due diligence when buying a used car can help you get the best deal possible.

Step 2 – Gather Vehicle Documents

gather vehicle sale documents

The seller must provide various documents to complete the sale and transfer ownership to the buyer. These documents include the following:

Step 3 – Discuss the Price and Terms

discuss the price and terms of the vehicle sale

Once the buyer and seller agree to the sale, negotiate the price, payment terms, and vehicle condition. A bill of sale must include details about the parties, vehicle, and transaction. If a warranty is included, it should clearly define the coverage. If not, the vehicle is sold “as-is,” so inspect it thoroughly before signing.

Step 4 – Complete the Sale

1 person handing in a set of car keys in preparation for selling a vehicle

The parties can now complete the sale at an in-person meeting. The buyer will bring the funds, and the seller will bring the vehicle. The seller will sign the title to the buyer, and both parties will sign the bill of sale.

If your state requires notarization for vehicle bills of sale, you must have a notary observe both parties’ signatures.

Step 5 – Register the Vehicle

1 person at a DMV office registering a purchased vehicle

After finalizing it, the new owner will register the vehicle within a specific time and pay any associated sales tax.

Registering the vehicle involves going to a local motor vehicle department office and presenting the relevant fees and the following documents:

IMPORTANT: Certificate of Title

In terms of vehicle sales, a seller must complete a certificate of title to establish the buyer as the new legal owner in the eyes of the government.

DMV Offices in Each State

State Location Bill of Sale Required?
Alabama Vehicle Licensing Offices Yes
Alaska Division of Motor Vehicles No
Arizona Motor Vehicle Division No
Arkansas Department of Revenue Office Yes
California Department of Motor Vehicles No
Colorado Division of Motor Vehicles No
Connecticut Dept. of Motor Vehicles Yes
Delaware Dept. of Motor Vehicles No
Florida Motor Vehicle Service Centers No
Georgia County Tag Office Yes
Hawaii Department of Transportation, Highways Division Yes
Idaho Idaho Transportation Department No
Illinois Facility Locations Yes
Indiana Indiana Branch Locations No
Iowa Iowa Motor Vehicle Division Yes
Kansas Kansas Department of Revenue Yes
Kentucky Drive.KY.Gov No
Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles No
Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles Yes
Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration Yes
Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles Yes
Michigan DMV Office Finder Yes
Minnesota Driver and Vehicle Services No
Mississippi Tax Collector’s Office Yes
Missouri License Office Locations Yes
Montana Motor Vehicle Division Yes
Nebraska Department of Motor Vehicles Yes
Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles Yes
New Hampshire Division of Motor Vehicles Yes
New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission No
New Mexico Motor Vehicle Division Yes
New York Department of Motor Vehicles Yes
North Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles No
North Dakota Motor Vehicle Site Locations No
Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles Yes
Oklahoma Department of Public Safety Yes
Oregon Department of Motor Vehicles No
Pennsylvania Department of Motor Vehicles No
Rhode Island Department of Motor Vehicles Yes
South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles No
South Dakota Motor Vehicles Division Yes
Tennessee Driver Services No
Texas Department of Motor Vehicles Yes
Utah Department of Motor Vehicles Yes
Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles Yes
Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles No
Washington Department of Licensing Yes
West Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles Yes
Wisconsin Department of Motor Vehicles No
Wyoming County Treasurer’s Office Yes
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