New York Trailer 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 trailer 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
Trailer details
Price and terms
How to sell a trailer in New York
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
- Confirm you hold clear title. 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 trailer bill of sale above with the buyer. Record the VIN.
- Both parties sign and each keeps a copy. New York does not require a notary.
- 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.
- File a notice of sale or release of liability with the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles if New York 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
- Bring the signed bill of sale (or New York's MV-912), the signed title and your ID to the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles.
- Expect to pay sales or use tax on the price shown on the bill of sale, plus title and registration fees.
- Register within New York'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 New York checklist to the pack, so the handoff is finished the day you sign.
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 Firearm 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
Trailer Bill of Sale in other states
New York trailer bill of sale questions
Is a bill of sale required to sell a trailer 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 trailer 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.
Where does the buyer take the bill of sale in New York?+
To the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles 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.