Where to Get a Bill of Sale for a Car
A bill of sale is one of the most straightforward documents in a private vehicle transaction — but people are often surprised by how many places offer one and how much the form can vary depending on where you live. Here's how it works and where to find one.
What a Bill of Sale Actually Does
A bill of sale is a written record of a vehicle changing hands. It captures the basics: who sold the car, who bought it, what the vehicle is (year, make, model, VIN), what price was agreed upon, and when the sale happened.
It isn't a title — it doesn't transfer legal ownership on its own. But it supports the title transfer process and creates a paper trail that protects both parties. Buyers may need it to register the car or prove what they paid (which affects sales tax calculations in many states). Sellers may need it to demonstrate the car is no longer theirs if a parking ticket or toll violation shows up later.
Some states treat a bill of sale as optional. Others require it as part of the registration process. A few states have their own official form. Most don't — they accept any written document that includes the required information.
Where to Get a Bill of Sale 📄
Your State DMV Website
This is the first place to check. Many state DMVs publish a free, downloadable bill of sale form on their website — sometimes as a fillable PDF. If your state has an official form, using it is usually the safest choice. It's designed to meet your state's specific requirements, which means nothing will be missing when you hand it to a clerk at the DMV window.
Search your state's DMV website directly, or search "[your state] DMV bill of sale form" to find the current version. Forms do get updated, so downloading fresh is better than reusing an old printout.
The DMV Office Itself
If you'd rather not deal with downloading and printing, most DMV offices keep blank bill of sale forms on hand at the counter. You can pick one up in person, fill it out at a table, and handle the title transfer in the same visit. This works especially well if both buyer and seller are present together.
Auto Insurance Companies and AAA
Some auto insurers and AAA branches provide bill of sale templates as a member resource. These are typically generic forms that cover the standard fields. They're worth using if you already have access to them, but check that the form meets your state's requirements — some states specify what information must appear, and a generic template might leave something out.
Legal Document Websites
Sites that host general legal documents — not automotive-specific — often include vehicle bill of sale templates. These are usually acceptable, but the quality and completeness vary. A form written to be used in any state may not reflect the specific fields your state requires. If you go this route, compare what the form asks for against your state DMV's stated requirements.
Written From Scratch
In most states, a bill of sale doesn't have to come from a form at all. A hand-written or typed document that includes the key details — seller name and signature, buyer name and signature, vehicle description, VIN, sale price, odometer reading, and date — can satisfy the requirement. Some states do require notarization or a witness signature, so it's worth checking local rules before going this route.
What Affects Which Source Makes Sense 🔍
| Factor | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| State requirements | Some states require specific fields, notarization, or even a state-issued form |
| Vehicle type | Titles and sale documents for motorcycles, trailers, or commercial vehicles sometimes follow different rules |
| Sale type | Dealer sales may use their own forms; private party sales typically require you to provide your own |
| DMV access | Rural areas or states with limited DMV hours may make in-person pickup less practical |
| Odometer rules | Federal law requires odometer disclosure on vehicles under 10 years old; a proper bill of sale often handles this |
What Should Always Be on the Form
Regardless of source, a complete bill of sale for a vehicle should generally include:
- Full legal names of buyer and seller
- Date of sale
- Vehicle year, make, model, and body style
- VIN (Vehicle Identification Number)
- Odometer reading at time of sale
- Sale price (or notation that it was a gift, if applicable)
- Signatures of both parties
- As-is notation, if the vehicle is being sold without a warranty
Some states also require the seller's address, the buyer's address, or a statement about the vehicle's condition. A few require a notary seal.
The Part That Varies by State
What's simple in one state may have an extra step in another. Some states fold the bill of sale into a combined title/transfer form. Others require it as a separate document. A handful make it optional entirely. Whether the form needs to be notarized, how many copies are needed, and whether the DMV requires it at all — those answers come from your specific state's rules, not from the form itself.
The document is easy to find. Whether the one you're using meets your state's requirements for your specific vehicle type and transaction is the question worth confirming before you show up at the counter.
