South Dakota Firearm Bill of Sale
South Dakota 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 South Dakota firearm bill of sale PDF that includes everything the South Dakota Department of Revenue looks for, matching the fields on Form 1025. Nothing you type leaves your browser.
Seller
Buyer
Firearm details
Price and terms
How to sell a firearm in South Dakota
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 South Dakota firearm bill of sale above with the buyer. Record the serial number.
- Both parties sign and each keeps a copy. South Dakota does not require a notary.
- Check South Dakota'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.
South Dakota at a glance
- Bill of sale
- Required in common cases
- Notary
- Notarization optional
- Official state form
- Form 1025
- Where the buyer registers
- South Dakota Department of Revenue (dor.sd.gov/individuals/motor-vehicle)
- License plates
- Stay with seller
South Dakota county treasurers use a bill of sale to set excise tax when the title does not show the purchase price. Plates stay with the seller.
Checked October 2026 against the state's own guidance. Rules change; confirm before you file.
Other South Dakota forms
- South Dakota Vehicle Bill of Sale
- South Dakota Motorcycle Bill of Sale
- South Dakota Boat Bill of Sale
- South Dakota Trailer Bill of Sale
- South Dakota Mobile Home Bill of Sale
- South Dakota RV Bill of Sale
- South Dakota ATV / UTV Bill of Sale
- South Dakota Dirt Bike Bill of Sale
- South Dakota Golf Cart Bill of Sale
- South Dakota Jet Ski Bill of Sale
- South Dakota Snowmobile Bill of Sale
- South Dakota Scooter / Moped Bill of Sale
- South Dakota Equipment Bill of Sale
- South Dakota Tractor Bill of Sale
- South Dakota Horse Bill of Sale
- South Dakota Dog Bill of Sale
- South Dakota Livestock Bill of Sale
- South Dakota General Bill of Sale
- South Dakota Business Bill of Sale
Firearm Bill of Sale in other states
South Dakota firearm bill of sale questions
Is a bill of sale required to sell a firearm in South Dakota?+
South Dakota requires a bill of sale in common situations, such as when the title does not show the purchase price. South Dakota county treasurers use a bill of sale to set excise tax when the title does not show the purchase price. Plates stay with the seller. South Dakota publishes Form 1025 for this; the PDF from this page carries the same information and is accepted alongside it.
Does a South Dakota firearm bill of sale need to be notarized?+
South Dakota 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 South Dakota?+
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 South Dakota'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.