Skip to content
Saleslip
Ready-to-sign pack

Missouri Trailer Bill of Sale

Missouri requires a bill of sale in common situations, such as when the title does not show the purchase price. Fill in the form below and download a free, one-page Missouri trailer bill of sale PDF that includes everything the Missouri Department of Revenue looks for, matching the fields on Form 1957. Nothing you type leaves your browser.

Missouri
Trailer Bill of Sale

Seller

Buyer

Trailer details

Price and terms

How to sell a trailer in Missouri

A trailer bill of sale names the trailer by year, make, type and VIN, and records the price and date. Utility and cargo trailers are often homemade or came with no title, so the bill of sale is frequently the only paper trail the DMV will see.

Seller steps

  1. Confirm you hold clear title. If a lender is on the title, get the lien release before you list it.
  2. Agree on the price and fill in the Missouri trailer bill of sale above with the buyer. Record the VIN.
  3. Both parties sign and each keeps a copy. Missouri does not require a notary.
  4. Sign the title over to the buyer exactly as your name appears on it, and complete the odometer section on the title if the trailer has one.
  5. File a notice of sale or release of liability with the Missouri Department of Revenue if Missouri offers one, remove your plates if the state keeps plates with the seller, and cancel the insurance once the buyer has driven away.

Buyer steps

  1. Bring the signed bill of sale (or Missouri's Form 1957), the signed title and your ID to the Missouri Department of Revenue.
  2. Expect to pay sales or use tax on the price shown on the bill of sale, plus title and registration fees.
  3. Register within Missouri's deadline, commonly 10 to 30 days from the sale date, to avoid late penalties.

Before you sign

  • The VIN plate is usually on the tongue or the front frame rail.
  • Homemade trailers need a state-assigned VIN before registration; the bill of sale still helps prove ownership of the materials.
  • List the GVWR; it decides whether the trailer needs a title in many states.
  • Mention included equipment: ramps, spare tire, tie-downs.

Why a bill of sale matters for a trailer

  • Many trailers under a certain weight are not titled, so the bill of sale is the ownership record.
  • Needed to register the trailer and get a plate.
  • Shows the price for sales tax.
  • Protects the seller once the trailer leaves the driveway.

Selling a trailer? The $19 sell-your-vehicle kit adds a signed release of liability and a Missouri checklist to the pack, so the handoff is finished the day you sign.

Missouri at a glance

Bill of sale
Required in common cases
Notary
Notarization optional
Official state form
Form 1957
Where the buyer registers
Missouri Department of Revenue (dor.mo.gov/motor-vehicle)
Buyer's deadline to title
30 days from the sale
License plates
Stay with seller

Missouri sellers must report a sale within 30 days using the Notice of Sale (Form 5049) or Bill of Sale (Form 1957); the bill of sale is also required when the title does not show the price. Form 1957 only needs to be notarized for rebuilt-vehicle parts or when the Department asks. Buyers have 30 days to title and plates stay with the seller.

Checked October 2026 against the state's own guidance. Rules change; confirm before you file.

Other Missouri forms

Trailer Bill of Sale in other states

All states →

Missouri trailer bill of sale questions

Is a bill of sale required to sell a trailer in Missouri?+

Missouri requires a bill of sale in common situations, such as when the title does not show the purchase price. Missouri sellers must report a sale within 30 days using the Notice of Sale (Form 5049) or Bill of Sale (Form 1957); the bill of sale is also required when the title does not show the price. Form 1957 only needs to be notarized for rebuilt-vehicle parts or when the Department asks. Buyers have 30 days to title and plates stay with the seller. Missouri publishes Form 1957 for this; the PDF from this page carries the same information and is accepted alongside it.

Does a Missouri trailer bill of sale need to be notarized?+

Missouri does not require notarization. Two signatures are enough. If you want extra certainty, the ready-to-sign pack includes a notary acknowledgment page you can use anyway.

Where does the buyer take the bill of sale in Missouri?+

To the Missouri Department of Revenue (Motor Vehicle Bureau) or the county office that handles vehicle registration, together with the signed title, proof of insurance where required, and payment for tax and fees.

Does a trailer need a title?+

It depends on the state and the trailer weight. Lighter trailers often need only registration. Either way the DMV will accept a signed bill of sale as proof of purchase.

What if the trailer has no VIN?+

Describe it carefully (make, size, axles, color) and the state will assign a VIN during inspection. The bill of sale should still be signed by both parties.