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Bill of Sale Template: Free Printable Form

Fill in a bill of sale for a car, motorcycle, boat, trailer, equipment or general goods. Add the VIN, odometer reading, price and an optional notary block, then print or download.

Parties

Details

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The text below is written from the details you fill in. Edit it if you want to change the wording.

Notes and signature

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What is a bill of sale?

A bill of sale is a written record that the seller sold, and the buyer bought, a specific item for a stated price on a stated date. For a vehicle or boat it is the buyer's proof of purchase and the seller's proof of when the item left their hands. Many states use it alongside the signed title; some require it, and a few have their own official form.

How to fill in a bill of sale

  1. Seller and buyer: full names as they appear on ID, with addresses and phone numbers.
  2. Date and place: the date of sale, the state and the county.
  3. What is sold: choose vehicle, motorcycle, boat, trailer, equipment or general goods. The form shows the fields that fit: year, make, model, color, VIN or hull ID, title number and odometer reading.
  4. Price and payment: the amount (written in words for you) and how it was paid. For a gift, choose "Gift (no payment)".
  5. Condition: most private sales are "as is". If you give a warranty, choose that option and write its terms.
  6. Notary: add a notary acknowledgment if your state, your buyer or the agency asks for one.
  7. Sign: print two copies; seller and buyer sign and keep one each.

Download the result as a PDF or an editable Word file, or print it. Your draft stays in this browser only, so you can come back to it; nothing is uploaded to our servers.

What a vehicle bill of sale should include

ItemWhy it matters
Names and addresses of seller and buyerIdentifies both parties to the sale
Year, make, model and VINTies the sale to one vehicle; the VIN must match the title
Odometer reading and statusFederal law requires an odometer disclosure on transfer for model year 2011 and newer vehicles until they are 20 years old
Sale price and dateUsed for sales or use tax and to show when liability passed to the buyer
As is or warranty statementRecords what the seller promised about the condition
SignaturesBoth parties confirm the sale; some states also want a notary

Bill of sale rules by state

A bill of sale does not replace the title. The title transfer, the deadlines and whether anything must be notarized depend on the state. See the guides for Texas, Florida, California, New York, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Ohio, Georgia, North Carolina and Michigan, or compare them on bill of sale by state.

Tips for a safe private sale

  • Check the VIN on the vehicle, the title and the bill of sale; they must match.
  • Get paid before you sign the title over, ideally by cashier's check verified with the issuing bank, or cash at a bank.
  • Report the sale. Most states let the seller file a notice of sale or transfer so that later tickets and tolls are not charged to them.
  • Keep your plates where your state says plates stay with the seller.

Features

  • Vehicle, boat, trailer, equipment or general goods
  • VIN or hull ID, title number and odometer statement
  • Price written in words, payment method, as is or warranty
  • Optional notary acknowledgment
  • Seller and buyer signature lines
  • PDF, Word and print

Frequently asked questions

What is a bill of sale?

A signed record of a sale that names the seller and buyer, describes the item, and states the price and date. For vehicles and boats it supports the title transfer and proves when ownership changed.

Does a bill of sale need to be notarized?

Usually not, but it depends on the state and the item. Some states require the title signature to be notarized instead. Check your state's motor vehicle agency, or add the notary block on this form if one is needed.

Is a bill of sale the same as a title?

No. The title is the state's ownership record and must be signed over to the buyer. A bill of sale is the sales record that goes with it.

Can I write a bill of sale by hand?

Yes, a handwritten bill of sale is generally valid if it has the same details and both signatures. A typed one is easier to read, which helps at the motor vehicle office.

What if the car is a gift?

Choose 'Gift (no payment)' as the payment method. The bill of sale then records a transfer with no price. Some states, such as New York, ask for a gift to be shown with a price of $0 and an extra tax form.

Is my data saved anywhere?

Only in your own browser, so you can come back to the draft. Nothing is uploaded to our servers.

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