A standard Bill of Sale form provides protection to both the buyer and seller in the event of any future legal disputes surrounding the condition or ownership of the item. In many states, a completed vehicle bill of sale is mandatory for registering a motor vehicle with the DMV. Must include the Odometer Disclosure Statement Form.
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Type of Sale
What is a Bill-of-Sale Form?
Can I use a Bill of Sale for selling services?
Can you get a Title with a Bill of Sale?
Title Transfer Requirements?
Does a Bill of Sale Grant a Title?
Who signs a Bill of Sale?
Does Location Matter?
What to Include in a Bill-of-Sale Form?
- The buyer’s name + address
- The seller’s name + address
- The vehicle/car description (make, model, year, + body style)
- The car’s vehicle identification number (VIN)
- The sale date
- Transaction details (purchase: price, trade, and/or gift)
- The warranty information (sold “as-is”)
- The Odometer Disclosure Statement
- The Federal Law, 49 U.S. Code § 32705, requires a bill of sale to include a verifying statement about the vehicle’s mileage. Vehicles greater than ten years old and over 16,000 pounds are exempt.
Law Alert ⚖️
In some states, bill of sale forms require a notary and/or witness when signing the form.
How to Fill out a Bill of Sale
Heading
The Parties
Please provide the complete legal names and addresses of both the seller and the buyer.
Description of Items
Transaction Information
Taxes
All taxes for both the buyer and the seller.
Buyer and Seller Conditions/As-Is Clause
Authorization
Odometer Disclosure (vehicles)
Date of Delivery
Signatures
Additional Clauses
Notary (if required)
Legal Jurisdiction
Key Terms and Definitions
- As-Is – The term “as-is” in a bill of sale indicates that the item is being purchased without any warranty.
- Buyer – The buyer, also known as the purchaser, is the individual who pays money to obtain an item.
- Gift – the act of giving an item to the recipient without expecting anything in return is known as a gift.
- Notary Public – a public officer who can witness the signatures of the buyer and seller.
- Payment – the money that is exchanged between a buyer and a seller as a part of a transaction. It is the amount that the buyer pays to purchase an item or receive a service from the seller.
- Seller – the seller refers to the individual or party offering an item for purchase in a transaction.
- Trade-In – A trade-in is a type of transaction where the buyer offers an item to the seller in exchange for another item of equal value or discounted price.
- The Pizza Addition – When buying and selling games, check links.
- Vehicle Identification Number – A vehicle’s 17-character code, consisting of letters and numbers, that is its “serial number.” The VIN must be included in a vehicle bill of sale to be valid.
- Certificate of Title – A certificate of title is an official document provided by a government agency that serves as proof of ownership for real estate or titled personal property.
A bill of sale serves as a legal document that validates the transaction. It does not have the power to transfer ownership of a vehicle. To complete the transfer of ownership, the seller must sign over the Certificate of Title to the buyer.
Why Make A Bill of Sale?
A bill of sale is a legally binding document that outlines the transfer of ownership of an item from a seller to a buyer. The bill of sale car form is another use of the form.
- Format Options: Bills of sale may have different formats, depending on the jurisdiction and type of transaction. Some states or regions require certain information to be included in the form.
- Not Always Required: In some jurisdictions, a bill of sale may not be mandatory for transferring personal property, but it can still serve as a useful record of the transaction.
- Used for Various Transactions: Bills of sale are frequently used to document the transfer of ownership for various valuable items including vehicles, boats, furniture, and electronics.
- No Legal Requirement for Notarization: Notarization is not universally mandatory for bills of sale, but it can add an extra layer of authentication and may be required for certain transactions.
- Protects Both Parties: A well-crafted bill of sale is crucial for protecting both the buyer and seller.
- Different from a Title: A bill of sale is different from a title, especially in vehicle transactions. A bill of sale is a document that records the transfer of ownership, whereas a title is a legal document issued by the government that officially identifies the owner of the vehicle.
- Online Templates: There are numerous online templates available for creating bills of sale, but it’s essential to ensure that the chosen template complies with local laws and regulations to be legally valid.
- No Standardized Form: No standardized, universal format exists for a bill of sale. The content and structure may vary, but it typically includes information about the buyer and seller, a description of the item, the sale price, and any relevant conditions.
- Can Serve as Proof of Purchase: A bill of sale serves as proof of purchase and can be helpful to for warranty, registration, and tax purposes.
- Limited Legal Protections: While a bill of sale can offer legal protection, it may not be sufficient to resolve all disputes. For more valuable transactions or complex sales, it’s advisable to consult with legal professionals.
Does my Bill of Sale need notarization?
Most states do not require a notarized Bill of Sale, but some states do including:
- Louisiana
- Maryland
- Montana
- Nebraska
- West Virginia
- Wyoming
By having a notary public witness the signatures, the authenticity of the document can be proven valid.
Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV)/Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV)
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IL | IN | IA | KS | KY | LA |
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NM | NY | NC | ND | OH | OK |
OR | PA | RI | SC | SD | TN |
TX | UT | VT | VA | WA | WV |
WI | WY |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who signs a Bill of Sale?
When selling specific items, such as a vehicle, both the buyer and seller may need to sign the Bill of Sale in some states. However, only the seller may need to sign the Bill of Sale for other items like furniture.
Do I need a Bill of Sale to give property as a gift?
Friends and family members should use bill of sale forms even when selling to each other. If someone gifts items to another person, a Bill of Sale should also be used to include the transfer of ownership. If you intend to transfer the property as a gift, you can state that the sale price is low, such as $1.00 or $10.00.
Where can I find a Bill of Sale for the state of Texas?
Download our free simple Bill of Sale above.
Where can I find a Printable Bill of Sale?
Our simple free blank Bill of Sale form PDF above is printable.
Where can I get a Bill of Sale?
At the local DMV or download our templates above.
Blank Fillable Bill of Sale Template Sample
Preview PDF Example
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