What a Minnesota bill of sale is and why you need one

A bill of sale is a written record that you sold a vehicle to someone else, or that someone sold one to you. In Minnesota, it is not required by law to complete a sale—the title transfer itself is what matters to the state—but a bill of sale protects both the buyer and seller by documenting the price paid, the vehicle's condition at handoff, and who owned it on what date.

Without a bill of sale, you have no proof of when you stopped owning the vehicle. If the new owner gets into an accident, racks up parking tickets, or commits a crime with the car before they register it, you could be contacted as the last registered owner. A bill of sale dated and signed by both parties shifts that liability to the buyer and shows the state (if needed) that you are no longer responsible for the vehicle.

Minnesota does not have an official state form for a bill of sale, which means you can write one yourself, use a template, or buy a pre-printed form from an office supply store. What matters is that it includes the essential details and is signed by both parties.

Key Takeaways

  • Minnesota law does not require a bill of sale, but one protects you by proving when you transferred ownership and for how much.
  • The bill of sale must include the vehicle identification number (VIN), the sale price, the date of sale, and signatures from both buyer and seller.
  • You can write a bill of sale by hand, use a free template, or buy a pre-printed form; Minnesota has no official state form.
  • The buyer will need the bill of sale when they register the vehicle at the Minnesota Department of Public Safety, along with the title.
  • Keep a copy for your records even after the sale is complete, in case questions arise later about when you owned the vehicle.

What information must go on a Minnesota bill of sale

The bill of sale should include the vehicle's VIN (vehicle identification number), which appears on the title and on the dashboard near the windshield. It should also list the make, model, year, and color so there is no confusion about which vehicle changed hands. Include the odometer reading at the time of sale—this is especially important if the vehicle has high mileage or if you are selling it as-is.

Write down the sale price in both numbers and words (for example, "$5,000" and "Five Thousand Dollars"). This prevents disputes later and is what the buyer will report to the Minnesota Department of Public Safety when they register the vehicle. If you are giving the vehicle as a gift, write "gift" or "$0" rather than leaving the price blank.

Include the full names, addresses, and phone numbers of both the seller and buyer. Add the date the sale took place. Both parties must sign and print their names. Some people also note the vehicle's condition (for example, "sold as-is" or "excellent condition") to prevent later claims that something was wrong with the car.

How to write or obtain a bill of sale form

You can handwrite a bill of sale on plain paper if you include all the required information and both parties sign it. There is no legal requirement that it be typed or printed. Many people find it easier to use a template, which you can find free online by searching "Minnesota bill of sale template" or "vehicle bill of sale template." These templates walk you through what to include and in what order.

Office supply stores like Staples or Office Depot sell pre-printed bill of sale pads designed for vehicles. These cost a few dollars and come with carbon copies so both parties can keep a signed original. Some car dealers and credit unions also have their own bill of sale forms that they use for transactions.

Whichever method you choose, make sure both the buyer and seller receive a signed copy. Keep your copy in a safe place—you may need it years later if a question arises about when you sold the vehicle or what condition it was in.

When the buyer needs the bill of sale

The buyer will bring the bill of sale to the Minnesota Department of Public Safety when they register the vehicle and transfer the title into their name. The buyer must do this within 10 days of purchase. The bill of sale serves as proof of the sale price and the date of transfer, which the state uses to calculate registration fees and to update its records about who owns the vehicle.

If the buyer does not register the vehicle promptly, you remain the registered owner on state records. This is why having a signed, dated bill of sale is so important—it proves to the state that you transferred ownership even if the buyer has not yet completed their paperwork.

Protecting yourself as a seller

Before you hand over the keys, make sure the buyer has signed the bill of sale and you have a copy. Do not accept a verbal agreement or a promise to sign later. Some sellers also take a photo of the buyer holding a signed copy of the bill of sale, which provides additional proof of the transaction if a dispute arises.

If you are financing the sale yourself (the buyer is paying you over time rather than all at once), the bill of sale alone does not protect your money. You would need a separate promissory note or security agreement, which is a different document. A bill of sale only documents the transfer of ownership, not a payment plan.

After the sale, contact the Minnesota Department of Public Safety to notify them that you have sold the vehicle. You can do this by mailing in the title with a note, or by calling your local Driver and Vehicle Services office. This step is not required by law, but it removes your name from the vehicle's registration faster and reduces the chance that you will be contacted about the vehicle later.

What happens if there is a dispute

If a question arises about when you sold the vehicle, who bought it, or what condition it was in, the bill of sale is your evidence. For example, if the buyer claims you promised to fix something and you did not, the bill of sale showing "sold as-is" protects you. If someone claims you still own the vehicle, the bill of sale with the buyer's signature and the date proves you do not.

A bill of sale is not a legal contract that a court will enforce for payment disputes or warranty claims—it is a record of the transaction. If the buyer sues you over the condition of the vehicle, the bill of sale will be evidence, but you may need a lawyer to defend yourself. This is why it is important to be clear and honest about the vehicle's condition when you write the bill of sale.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to use the official Minnesota bill of sale form?

Minnesota does not have an official state bill of sale form. You can write one yourself, use a template, or buy a pre-printed form. As long as it includes the VIN, sale price, date, and signatures from both parties, it is valid.

What if I sell a vehicle to a dealer instead of a private buyer?

Dealers have their own bill of sale forms and will handle the paperwork. You still sign a document that transfers ownership. Keep a copy for your records and notify the state that you have sold the vehicle.

Can I sell a vehicle without a bill of sale in Minnesota?

Yes, Minnesota does not legally require a bill of sale. However, without one you have no proof of when you stopped owning the vehicle, which can cause problems if the buyer gets a ticket or is in an accident before registering it. A bill of sale protects you.

What if the buyer never registers the vehicle?

You remain the registered owner on state records until the buyer completes the title transfer. Contact the Minnesota Department of Public Safety to report the sale. Keep your signed bill of sale as proof that you transferred ownership, even if the buyer has not yet registered it.

Should I notarize the bill of sale?

Notarization is not required in Minnesota for a bill of sale to be valid. However, some people choose to have it notarized for extra proof that both parties signed it. This costs a few dollars at a bank or notary office but is optional.