Texas does not require a bill of sale to register a vehicle, but you should use one anyway
Texas does not have a state-mandated bill of sale form, and the Texas DMV does not require one to transfer a vehicle title. However, creating a written record of the sale protects both the buyer and seller by documenting the sale price, vehicle details, and the date of transfer. Without one, you have no proof of who owned the vehicle on a specific date — which matters if the buyer gets a ticket, causes an accident, or the vehicle is stolen before the title transfer is complete.
You can write your own bill of sale on plain paper, use a template from the Texas Secretary of State website, or purchase one from an office supply store. The form itself does not go to the DMV; it stays with you as a record. What actually goes to the DMV is the title certificate itself, signed by both parties.
Key Takeaways
- Texas does not require a bill of sale form, but creating one in writing protects you by documenting the sale date, price, and vehicle details.
- A bill of sale can be handwritten on plain paper or typed; it does not need to be notarized or filed with any government office.
- The Texas title certificate — not the bill of sale — is what you submit to the DMV to complete the ownership transfer.
- Both the buyer and seller should sign and keep a copy of the bill of sale for their records.
- If you sell a vehicle without a bill of sale, you remain liable for anything that happens with that vehicle until the new owner registers it.
What information to include on a Texas bill of sale
A bill of sale should include the vehicle identification number (VIN), make, model, year, and color. Add the current odometer reading, the sale price, and the date of the sale. Include the full names, addresses, and phone numbers of both the seller and buyer. If either party is a business, use the business name and the name of the person signing on behalf of the business.
You do not need to include the title number on the bill of sale, though it does not hurt. You do not need to notarize it. Both the seller and buyer should sign and date the document. Each person should keep a copy.
How a bill of sale differs from the title transfer
The bill of sale is your proof that a sale happened. The title certificate is the legal document that proves ownership. When you sell a vehicle in Texas, you sign the back of the title certificate and give it to the buyer. The buyer then takes that signed title to the DMV (or uses the online portal) to register the vehicle in their name.
The bill of sale does not transfer ownership — the signed title does. However, the bill of sale protects you during the gap between when you sell the vehicle and when the buyer registers it. If the buyer causes an accident or gets a ticket during that time, the bill of sale shows you are no longer the owner.
When you should create a bill of sale
Create the bill of sale at the time of sale, before you hand over the keys or the title. Both parties should sign it on the spot. This prevents disputes later about the sale price, the condition of the vehicle, or when the sale took place.
If you are buying a vehicle from a private seller and they do not offer a bill of sale, write one yourself and ask them to sign it. Most sellers will cooperate because it protects them too. If a seller refuses to sign a bill of sale, that is a red flag — it suggests they may not actually own the vehicle or may be hiding something about its history.
Using an online template or form
The Texas Secretary of State does not publish an official bill of sale form, but many free templates are available online. Search for "Texas bill of sale template" and you will find options from legal document websites and office supply retailers. These templates include all the standard fields and language.
You can also find bill of sale forms at office supply stores like Staples or Office Depot, usually in the legal forms section. These cost a few dollars and come in pads of multiple copies, which is useful if you sell vehicles occasionally. Whether you use a template or write your own, the content matters more than the format.
What happens if you sell without a bill of sale
If you sell a vehicle without a bill of sale and do not sign the title over to the buyer right away, you remain the registered owner in the DMV system. If the buyer gets a speeding ticket, parks illegally, or causes an accident before registering the vehicle, the ticket or lawsuit comes to you. You will have to prove you no longer own the vehicle, which is harder without a bill of sale.
In rare cases, a buyer may claim they never received the vehicle or paid less than they actually did. Without a bill of sale, you have no written proof of the sale price or date. Always sign the title and create a bill of sale on the same day.
Signing and submitting the title to the DMV
After you and the buyer sign the bill of sale, you must sign the back of the title certificate. The buyer then takes the signed title to a Texas DMV office or submits it online through the Texas DMV website. The buyer will also need to provide proof of insurance and pay the registration fee.
You do not submit the bill of sale to the DMV. Keep your copy for your records. The DMV only needs the signed title certificate. Once the buyer registers the vehicle, you are no longer the owner and you are no longer liable for what happens with that vehicle.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Texas require a bill of sale to sell a car?
No, Texas does not require a bill of sale. However, creating one in writing protects both the buyer and seller by documenting the sale date, price, and vehicle details. Without one, you have no proof of when you stopped owning the vehicle.
Can I handwrite a bill of sale or does it have to be typed?
You can handwrite a bill of sale on plain paper. It does not need to be typed, printed, or notarized. Both parties should sign and date it, and each should keep a copy. The content matters; the format does not.
What if the buyer does not register the vehicle right away?
Until the buyer registers the vehicle in their name, you remain the registered owner. If they get a ticket or cause an accident during that time, it comes to you. A bill of sale proves you sold it, but the signed title is what actually transfers ownership. Always sign the title on the day of sale.
Do I need to notarize a bill of sale in Texas?
No, notarization is not required in Texas. A bill of sale is valid as long as both the buyer and seller sign and date it. Notarization adds an extra layer of proof, but it is not necessary for the sale to be legal or for the title transfer to work.
What if I lost the bill of sale after I sold the vehicle?
If you no longer have a copy, you cannot get another one from the DMV because the DMV does not keep bills of sale. If you need proof that you sold the vehicle, you can check your bank records or payment app to show when you received the money. The signed title certificate in the DMV system also shows the transfer date.