A bill of sale is a written record that you sold your car and the buyer now owns it

A bill of sale is a document that proves the transfer of ownership from you to the buyer. It records the date of sale, the vehicle details (make, model, year, VIN), the sale price, and the signatures of both parties. When you sell a car privately—not through a dealer—a bill of sale protects both you and the buyer by creating a paper trail that shows who owned the vehicle at what point in time.

You do not legally need a bill of sale in every state to transfer a title, but having one is practical protection. If the buyer gets into an accident the day after purchase and you have not yet transferred the title, a bill of sale proves you no longer owned the vehicle. If the buyer never registers the car and it ends up abandoned or involved in a crime, the bill of sale shows you sold it and when. For the buyer, it documents what they paid and that you represented the vehicle as yours to sell.

Many states provide free bill of sale forms through their Department of Motor Vehicles website. You can also find templates online, use a blank one from a legal document site, or write one yourself on plain paper. The form does not have to be fancy—it has to be clear, signed, and dated.

Key Takeaways

  • A bill of sale is a written agreement between seller and buyer that records the vehicle details, sale price, and date of transfer, and protects both parties by creating proof of the transaction.
  • Most state DMV websites offer free bill of sale templates you can read and print, or you can find templates from legal document sites or write one yourself.
  • The form must include the vehicle VIN, make, model, year, sale price, date of sale, and signatures from both buyer and seller to be valid.
  • You should keep a copy for your records and give the buyer a copy before you hand over the keys, and then file the title transfer with your state DMV.

Where to find a free bill of sale form for your state

Start with your state's Department of Motor Vehicles website. Most states post a bill of sale form as a PDF you can read and print at no cost. Search "[your state] DMV bill of sale" or look under the "Forms" or "Title Transfer" section of the website. Some states call it a "Notice of Sale" or "Vehicle Sale Form" instead.

If your state does not post one, or if you cannot find it quickly, legal document sites like LegalZoom, Rocket Lawyer, and Nolo offer free templates. These are generic forms that work in most states. You can also search Google for "[your state] bill of sale template" and find PDFs from state bar associations or government resources.

If you prefer not to read anything, you can write a bill of sale by hand on plain paper. It does not have to be a formal document. As long as it includes the required information and both parties sign and date it, it is legally valid in most states.

What information must go on the bill of sale

The bill of sale must include the vehicle identification number (VIN), which you can find on the driver's side of the dashboard or on your title. It also needs the make, model, year, and color of the car. Include the odometer reading on the date of sale—this protects the buyer by documenting the mileage at transfer and protects you by showing you disclosed it.

Write the full sale price in both numbers and words (for example, "$5,000" and "Five Thousand Dollars"). Include the date of sale. Add the full names and addresses of both the buyer and seller. Some forms ask whether the car is sold "as-is" or with any warranty; most private sales are "as-is," meaning the buyer accepts the car in its current condition.

Both the buyer and seller must sign and print their names. Some states require the signature to be notarized, though most do not. Check your state's DMV website to see whether notarization is required where you live. If it is, you can have the document notarized at a bank, UPS Store, or notary public office for a small fee (usually $5 to $15).

How to fill out and sign the bill of sale

Print the form or write it out by hand. Fill in all the blanks with accurate information. Take your time and double-check the VIN, spelling of names, and sale price—errors can slow down the buyer's title transfer later. If you make a mistake, cross it out neatly, write the correction above it, and both parties should initial the change.

Meet the buyer in person to sign. Both of you should sign and date the document in front of each other. Print your full names clearly below your signatures. Make at least two copies—one for you and one for the buyer. If notarization is required in your state, take the unsigned form to a notary, have both parties sign in front of the notary, and the notary will stamp and sign it.

Give the buyer their copy before you hand over the keys. Keep your copy in a safe place with your other vehicle records. You will need it when you file the title transfer with your state DMV, and you may need it later if a question ever arises about when you sold the car.

What happens after you sign the bill of sale

The bill of sale is not the same as transferring the title. The bill of sale proves the sale happened; the title transfer is the legal process that removes your name from the vehicle registration. After you and the buyer sign the bill of sale, you must file a title transfer with your state DMV. The process and timeline vary by state, but you typically have 10 to 30 days to report the sale.

Some states let you file the transfer online through the DMV website. Others require you to mail in the signed title document along with a form (often called a "Notice of Sale" or "Release of Liability"). A few states require you to go to a DMV office in person. Check your state DMV website for the exact steps and important date.

Filing the transfer protects you by officially removing your name from the vehicle record. If you do not file it and the buyer gets into an accident or racks up parking tickets, those bills could come to you. Once the transfer is filed, you are no longer the registered owner and have no liability for what happens to the car.

Common mistakes to avoid when using a bill of sale

Do not leave blanks on the form. Every field should be filled in or marked "N/A" if it does not explore. An incomplete bill of sale can be challenged or rejected by the DMV when the buyer tries to register the car. Do not use a nickname or shortened version of your name—use the exact name that appears on your title and driver's license.

Do not forget to keep a copy for yourself. Many sellers hand over the only copy to the buyer and then have no proof of the sale if a problem comes up later. Make photocopies before you sign, or print two copies of the form and sign both.

Do not assume the bill of sale replaces the title transfer. The bill of sale is a record of the sale; the title transfer is the legal process that changes ownership in the state system. You must do both. If you skip the title transfer, you remain the registered owner in the eyes of the state, even though you have a bill of sale saying you sold it.

When a bill of sale alone is not enough

In a few states, the bill of sale is part of the title document itself. When you sign the back of the title, you are signing a bill of sale and a title transfer at the same time. Check your state's title form to see whether this applies to you. If your state uses a separate title document, you will need both the bill of sale and a completed title transfer form.

If the car has a lien on it (meaning a lender still owns part of it), the bill of sale alone will not transfer ownership. The lender must release the lien first. You cannot legally sell a car with a lien without the lender's permission and signature. Contact your lender to ask how to handle the sale, and include a note on the bill of sale stating that the lien will be released by the lender on or before the transfer date.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to notarize the bill of sale?

Most states do not require notarization for a bill of sale. However, a few states do, and some lenders or title companies may ask for it. Check your state DMV website or call your local DMV office to find out whether notarization is required where you live. If it is, you can have it done at a bank, UPS Store, or notary public office for a small fee.

What if the buyer does not show up to sign?

You cannot complete a bill of sale without the buyer's signature. If the buyer backs out or does not show up, the sale has not happened and you still own the car. Do not hand over the keys or the title until both of you have signed the bill of sale in person.

Can I sell a car without a bill of sale?

Technically, you can transfer a title without a separate bill of sale in most states—the title document itself serves as proof of the sale. However, having a bill of sale is practical protection for both you and the buyer. It creates a clear record of the date, price, and condition of the vehicle, and it protects you if a problem arises after the sale.

What if I lost my copy of the bill of sale?

If you have already filed the title transfer with your state DMV, you have proof of the sale in the state system. If you need another copy for your records, you can request a copy of the title transfer filing from your state DMV. If you never filed the transfer, contact the buyer and ask them to provide a copy of the bill of sale they signed.

Do I need a bill of sale if I'm trading the car in at a dealer?

No. When you trade in a car at a dealership, the dealer handles all the paperwork, including the title transfer. You do not need a separate bill of sale. The dealer will have you sign their paperwork, which serves the same purpose.