Vehicle Bill of Sale Template
A car bill of sale records who sold which vehicle to whom, for how much, and on what date. The buyer uses it to register and pay tax; the seller keeps a copy as proof the car changed hands before any tickets or tolls showed up. Pick your state and the form adapts to its rules.
Seller
Buyer
Vehicle details
Price and terms
Why a vehicle bill of sale matters
- Proves the sale date, so the seller is off the hook for tickets, tolls and accidents after the handoff.
- Shows the DMV or county tax office the price paid, which sets sales tax.
- Backs up the signed title if the title is lost or has no price field.
- Documents an as-is sale so the buyer cannot come back over a repair later.
Before you sign
- Copy the VIN straight off the dashboard plate or door-jamb sticker, not from memory.
- Write the odometer reading at the moment of sale; federal law requires it for most vehicles under 20 model years old.
- Both parties sign, and each keeps a signed copy.
- Sellers: remove the plates if your state keeps plates with the seller, and file a notice of sale or release of liability if your state offers one.
Vehicle Bill of Sale by state
Rules differ by state: some require a bill of sale for every sale, some only when the title has no price, and a few want it notarized. Pick yours for the exact rule, the form number and the agency.
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
- Washington, D.C.
Other forms
- Motorcycle Bill of Sale
- Boat Bill of Sale
- Trailer Bill of Sale
- Firearm Bill of Sale
- Mobile Home Bill of Sale
- RV Bill of Sale
- ATV / UTV Bill of Sale
- Dirt Bike Bill of Sale
- Golf Cart Bill of Sale
- Jet Ski Bill of Sale
- Snowmobile Bill of Sale
- Scooter / Moped Bill of Sale
- Equipment Bill of Sale
- Tractor Bill of Sale
- Horse Bill of Sale
- Dog Bill of Sale
- Livestock Bill of Sale
- General Bill of Sale
- Business Bill of Sale
Ready-to-sign pack, $9
Seller copy, buyer copy, odometer disclosure, notary page. What's inside →
Common questions
Does a car bill of sale need to be notarized?+
Most states do not require it. Louisiana, Maryland, Nebraska, New Hampshire and West Virginia do in common situations, and a few others ask for it when the bill of sale stands in for a title. The ready-to-sign pack includes a notary block for any state.
Is a bill of sale the same as a title?+
No. The title is the state ownership record and must be signed over separately. The bill of sale is the receipt for the transaction. Most buyers need both to register.
What does "as-is" mean on a bill of sale?+
The buyer accepts the vehicle in its current condition with no warranty from the seller. It protects a private seller from claims over mechanical problems found later.