A Florida bill of sale is a written record that you and the buyer (or seller) both sign to document the sale of a vehicle

Florida law does not require a bill of sale to transfer a vehicle title, but it protects both you and the other party by creating a dated record of who owned the car, when the sale happened, and what was paid. If you are selling a car, the bill of sale proves you no longer own it. If you are buying one, it shows you paid for it and when. The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV) does not provide an official form, but you can use any bill of sale that includes the required information, or read a template from the DHSMV website.

The bill of sale is separate from the title document itself. The title is the legal proof of ownership held by the state; the bill of sale is your private record of the transaction. You will need both the bill of sale and the title to complete the sale at the DHSMV office or through their online system.

Key Takeaways

  • A Florida bill of sale must include the names and addresses of both buyer and seller, the vehicle identification number (VIN), the sale price, and the date of sale, and both parties must sign it.
  • Florida does not mandate a specific bill of sale form, but the DHSMV website offers a template that meets all state requirements.
  • The bill of sale protects you from liability after the sale and creates proof of the transaction if a dispute arises later.
  • You must present the bill of sale along with the title when you register the vehicle in the new owner's name at the DHSMV.

What information must be on a Florida bill of sale

The bill of sale must contain the seller's full name and address, the buyer's full name and address, and the vehicle identification number (VIN) — a 17-character code found on the dashboard, the title document, and the driver's side door jamb. It must also state the sale price, the date of the sale, and a description of the vehicle that includes the year, make, model, and color.

Both the seller and buyer must sign and date the bill of sale. Some people add the odometer reading at the time of sale, which is useful information but not legally required in Florida. If the vehicle has a lien (meaning a lender still owns part of it), that should be noted on the bill of sale as well.

The bill of sale does not need to be notarized in Florida, though some people choose to have it notarized for extra protection. A notary public will verify your identity and witness your signature, which can help if questions arise later about whether the sale actually took place.

Where to get a bill of sale form

The DHSMV provides a bill of sale template on its official website under the forms section. You can read it, print it, fill it out by hand or on a computer, and have both parties sign it. The form is straightforward and includes all the fields Florida requires.

You can also create your own bill of sale using a word processor, as long as it includes all the required information. Many online legal document services offer Florida bill of sale templates as well. The key is that the document must be signed by both parties and contain the vehicle details, names, addresses, sale price, and date.

Keep the original signed bill of sale for your records. Make a copy for the other party. If you are the seller, hold onto your copy until the title transfer is complete at the DHSMV, which usually takes a few weeks.

How the bill of sale protects you as a seller

Once you sign a bill of sale, you have a dated record proving you sold the vehicle on that date. This protects you if the buyer later claims they never received the car, or if they damage it and try to hold you responsible. The bill of sale shows you transferred ownership and are no longer liable for what happens to the vehicle.

The bill of sale also protects you from liability if the buyer gets into an accident or receives a traffic ticket before the title is transferred. Without a bill of sale, you might be considered the owner in the eyes of the law until the title officially changes at the DHSMV. With a signed bill of sale, you have proof that ownership passed to the buyer on the date you both signed.

After you sell the car, you must notify the DHSMV that you no longer own it. You can do this by submitting the title and bill of sale to the DHSMV, or by filing a Notice of Sale form. This step removes you from the registration and protects you from future liability.

How the bill of sale protects you as a buyer

As a buyer, the bill of sale proves you paid for the vehicle and on what date. If a dispute arises — for example, if the seller claims you still owe money, or if someone else claims to own the car — you have a signed document showing the sale was complete. The bill of sale is your proof of purchase.

The bill of sale also documents the sale price, which matters for tax purposes. Florida does not charge sales tax on vehicle purchases, but other states do, and the sale price on the bill of sale is what that tax is calculated from if you move or register the vehicle elsewhere.

Keep your copy of the signed bill of sale with your other vehicle documents. You will need it when you go to the DHSMV to register the car in your name and transfer the title.

Steps to complete the sale after signing the bill of sale

After both parties sign the bill of sale, the seller must submit the title and the bill of sale to the DHSMV to transfer ownership. In Florida, this can be done in person at a local DHSMV office, by mail, or online through the DHSMV website if both parties have Florida driver's licenses or ID cards.

The buyer will need to bring or submit the signed bill of sale, the title signed by the seller, proof of insurance, and a completed process for title and registration (Form HSMV 82101). The DHSMV will then issue a new title in the buyer's name. This process usually takes a few weeks if done by mail or in person, and may be faster if done online.

If the vehicle has a lien, the lienholder (usually a bank or credit union) must release the lien before the title can be transferred to the new owner. The seller is responsible for paying off the loan and obtaining a lien release from the lender. The bill of sale should note whether a lien exists.

Common mistakes to avoid when writing a bill of sale

Do not leave any required fields blank. If you do not know the buyer's address or the exact sale price, fill in what you do know and have the other party complete the rest before signing. An incomplete bill of sale may not be accepted by the DHSMV.

Make sure the VIN on the bill of sale matches the VIN on the title document exactly. A single digit or letter wrong can cause problems when the DHSMV processes the transfer. Check the title and the vehicle itself to confirm the VIN is correct before you write it down.

Do not sign the bill of sale unless both parties are present and agree to all the terms. Once signed, it is a binding record of the transaction. If you need to make changes after signing, both parties should initial the change and date it, or create a new bill of sale and sign that instead.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a bill of sale required in Florida?

Florida law does not require a bill of sale to transfer a vehicle title, but it is strongly recommended. The bill of sale protects both buyer and seller by creating a dated record of the sale. Without one, disputes about when the sale happened or who paid what can be harder to resolve.

Can I sell a car without a title in Florida?

No. The title is the legal proof of ownership and must be transferred to the new owner. If you have lost the title, you can request a duplicate from the DHSMV before you sell the car. The bill of sale and the title work together to complete the sale.

Do I need to notarize the bill of sale?

Notarization is not required in Florida, but it adds an extra layer of protection. A notary public will verify your identity and witness your signature, which can help prevent fraud or disputes later. Many people choose to notarize for peace of mind, especially in private sales.

What if the buyer does not transfer the title into their name?

If the buyer does not submit the title transfer to the DHSMV, you remain the registered owner on the state's records. This can make you liable for registration fees, parking tickets, or accidents involving the vehicle. Always file a Notice of Sale with the DHSMV after you sell, even if the buyer has not yet transferred the title.

Can I use a bill of sale from another state?

You can use a bill of sale from another state as long as it includes all the information Florida requires: names, addresses, VIN, sale price, date, and signatures from both parties. However, using a Florida bill of sale form is simpler and ensures you meet all state requirements.