New York Firearm Bill of Sale
New York 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 New York firearm bill of sale PDF that includes everything the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles looks for, matching the fields on MV-912. Nothing you type leaves your browser.
Seller
Buyer
Firearm details
Price and terms
How to sell a firearm in New York
A firearm bill of sale records a private gun sale: the make, model, caliber and serial number, the price, the date, and a statement from each party that the sale is legal where it is taking place. It is the seller's proof that the firearm left their possession on a specific date.
Seller steps
- Confirm you hold clear ownership. If a lender is on the title, get the lien release before you list it.
- Agree on the price and fill in the New York firearm bill of sale above with the buyer. Record the serial number.
- Both parties sign and each keeps a copy. New York does not require a notary.
- Check New York's private-sale rules. If the state requires a background check or a licensed-dealer transfer, complete that step before the firearm changes hands.
- Hand over the firearm and keep your signed copy of the bill of sale for your records.
Buyer steps
- Check the description against the firearm itself before you sign.
- Keep the signed bill of sale with your records; it is your proof of ownership and purchase price.
- If you bought it for a business, give the bill of sale to your bookkeeper for the asset record.
Before you sign
- Copy the serial number exactly; letters and numbers like O/0 and I/1 cause problems.
- Check your state's private-sale rules first. Several states require a background check through a licensed dealer for private sales.
- Record a government ID number for the buyer only if your state requires it; otherwise ID type and state is enough.
- Both parties sign and keep a copy.
Why a bill of sale matters for a firearm
- Proves the date the firearm changed hands if it later turns up somewhere it should not.
- Records the serial number so the buyer can show lawful ownership.
- Includes a buyer eligibility statement, which many sellers insist on.
- Some states require private sales to go through a licensed dealer; the bill of sale travels with that paperwork.
Want both parties to walk away with a signed copy and a notary page ready? The $9 ready-to-sign pack adds them.
New York at a glance
- Bill of sale
- Required in common cases
- Notary
- Notarization optional
- Official state form
- MV-912
- Where the buyer registers
- New York State Department of Motor Vehicles (dmv.ny.gov)
- License plates
- Stay with seller
New York's MV-912 is the standard proof of ownership transfer for a private sale and the buyer must sign it, even for a gift; other acceptable proofs exist. The new owner gives the original to the DMV when registering and pays sales tax or claims an exemption. Plates stay with the seller.
Checked October 2026 against the state's own guidance. Rules change; confirm before you file.
Other New York forms
- New York Vehicle Bill of Sale
- New York Motorcycle Bill of Sale
- New York Boat Bill of Sale
- New York Trailer Bill of Sale
- New York Mobile Home Bill of Sale
- New York RV Bill of Sale
- New York ATV / UTV Bill of Sale
- New York Dirt Bike Bill of Sale
- New York Golf Cart Bill of Sale
- New York Jet Ski Bill of Sale
- New York Snowmobile Bill of Sale
- New York Scooter / Moped Bill of Sale
- New York Equipment Bill of Sale
- New York Tractor Bill of Sale
- New York Horse Bill of Sale
- New York Dog Bill of Sale
- New York Livestock Bill of Sale
- New York General Bill of Sale
- New York Business Bill of Sale
Firearm Bill of Sale in other states
New York firearm bill of sale questions
Is a bill of sale required to sell a firearm in New York?+
New York requires a bill of sale in common situations, such as when the title does not show the purchase price. New York's MV-912 is the standard proof of ownership transfer for a private sale and the buyer must sign it, even for a gift; other acceptable proofs exist. The new owner gives the original to the DMV when registering and pays sales tax or claims an exemption. Plates stay with the seller. New York publishes MV-912 for this; the PDF from this page carries the same information and is accepted alongside it.
Does a New York firearm bill of sale need to be notarized?+
New York 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.
Does the buyer need to file a firearm bill of sale in New York?+
No. Firearms are not titled or registered with the state, so there is nothing to file. The signed bill of sale is the ownership record; each party keeps a copy. Check New York's private-sale rules, since some states require a licensed-dealer transfer or background check.
Is a bill of sale required for a private gun sale?+
Federal law does not require one for sales between residents of the same state, but a growing number of states require private sales to go through a licensed dealer with a background check. Check your state's rules on the state page before selling.
Should a firearm bill of sale be notarized?+
It is not required anywhere, but some sellers choose to notarize it for a stronger record. The ready-to-sign pack includes a notary block.