Texas Bill of Sale
Texas does not require a bill of sale, but the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles recommends one. Texas does not require notarization. Two signatures are enough. Pick what you are selling, fill in the form, and download a free PDF that the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles will accept.
Seller
Buyer
Vehicle details
Price and terms
Texas bill of sale forms by item
Each form below asks only for what that item needs, and carries Texas's notary note and agency details in the footer.
- Texas Vehicle Bill of SaleProves the sale date, so the seller is off the hook for tickets, tolls and accidents after the handoff.
- Texas Motorcycle Bill of SaleMotorcycles change hands often and informally; a signed bill of sale settles who owned the bike on which date.
- Texas Boat Bill of SaleBoats, motors and trailers can be three separate pieces of property; one bill of sale ties them to one sale.
- Texas Trailer Bill of SaleMany trailers under a certain weight are not titled, so the bill of sale is the ownership record.
- Texas Firearm Bill of SaleProves the date the firearm changed hands if it later turns up somewhere it should not.
- Texas Mobile Home Bill of SaleMobile homes are titled like vehicles in most states; the bill of sale supports the title transfer.
- Texas RV Bill of SaleRVs are high-value and often sold with generators, hitches and furnishings that should be listed.
- Texas ATV / UTV Bill of SaleOff-highway vehicles are often sold without a title, so the bill of sale is the ownership chain.
- Texas Dirt Bike Bill of SaleMost dirt bikes have no title; this document is the ownership record.
- Texas Golf Cart Bill of SaleGolf carts are rarely titled; the bill of sale is proof of ownership.
- Texas Jet Ski Bill of SaleBoat registration offices want the price for tax and the HIN for the record.
- Texas Snowmobile Bill of SaleSnow states register snowmobiles and tax the purchase price.
- Texas Scooter / Moped Bill of SaleScooters over the state's cc limit are titled and registered like motorcycles.
- Texas Equipment Bill of SaleBusinesses need a bill of sale to book the asset and claim depreciation.
- Texas Tractor Bill of SaleTractors are not titled; this is the ownership paper.
- Texas Horse Bill of SaleBreed registries (AQHA, APHA, Jockey Club and others) need it to transfer papers.
- Texas Dog Bill of SaleProof of ownership for licensing, vet records and microchip registration.
- Texas Livestock Bill of SaleBrand inspection states will not clear cattle for movement or sale without proof of ownership.
- Texas General Bill of SaleA written receipt for anything worth arguing about.
- Texas Business Bill of SaleTransfers the assets at closing in one signed document.
Selling privately in Texas: what to know
Texas does not require a bill of sale, but the county tax office needs the price for Form 130-U, and a signed bill of sale is the seller's proof of the sale date.
- Bill of sale: not required, strongly recommended.
- Notary: notarization optional.
- Official form: none published.
- Agency: Texas Department of Motor Vehicles.
- Odometer: federal disclosure applies to vehicles under 20 model years old, on the title or a separate statement.
Want the paperwork finished in one sitting? The $9 ready-to-sign pack adds seller and buyer copies, the odometer statement and a Texas notary page.
Texas at a glance
- Bill of sale
- Not required, strongly recommended
- Notary
- Notarization optional
- Official state form
- None published; any signed bill of sale is accepted
- Where the buyer registers
- Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (www.txdmv.gov)
Texas does not require a bill of sale, but the county tax office needs the price for Form 130-U, and a signed bill of sale is the seller's proof of the sale date.
Common questions
Does Texas require a bill of sale?+
Texas does not require a bill of sale, but the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles recommends one. Texas does not require a bill of sale, but the county tax office needs the price for Form 130-U, and a signed bill of sale is the seller's proof of the sale date.
Does a bill of sale have to be notarized in Texas?+
Texas does not require notarization. Two signatures are enough.
Is there an official Texas bill of sale form?+
No. Texas does not publish a mandatory bill of sale form, so any complete, signed bill of sale is accepted. The one generated here includes every field the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles looks for.
What do I need to register a vehicle bought privately in Texas?+
The signed title, the bill of sale, proof of insurance where required, your ID, and payment for sales or use tax plus title and registration fees, filed with the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles within the state deadline.