Where to Get a Bill of Sale for a Car

A bill of sale is one of the simplest documents in a vehicle transaction — but knowing where to find one, what it needs to include, and whether your state even requires it can trip up buyers and sellers alike. Here's how it works.

What a Car Bill of Sale Actually Is

A bill of sale is a written record that a vehicle changed hands. It typically captures:

• The buyer's and seller's names and contact information
• The vehicle identification number (VIN)
• Year, make, and model
• Odometer reading at the time of sale
• Sale price (or a notation that it was a gift)
• Date of the transaction
• Signatures from both parties

It's not a title — it doesn't prove ownership on its own. But it supports the title transfer process, protects both parties if a dispute arises, and in many states is required to register a newly purchased vehicle or calculate sales tax.

Where to Get a Bill of Sale Form

There's no single national source, and you don't always need a specialized form. The most common places to find one:

Your State's DMV Website

Many state DMV offices publish their own official bill of sale form, sometimes called a vehicle bill of sale or notice of sale. These are often available as free PDF downloads directly from the DMV's website. Using the state's own form — where one exists — can simplify the registration process and reduce back-and-forth at the DMV counter.

A General Template (When No Official Form Exists)

Some states don't publish a specific form and simply require that the document contain certain information. In those cases, a standard vehicle bill of sale template from a reputable legal forms site or office supply retailer will usually suffice, as long as it captures the required fields.

Written From Scratch

Legally, a bill of sale doesn't have to look like a form at all. A plain written document — signed and dated, with the key details listed — can serve the same purpose in many states. That said, using a structured template reduces the chance of accidentally leaving something out.

Dealerships

If you're buying from a licensed dealership, the dealer typically prepares all transaction paperwork, including any bill of sale. You generally won't need to source one yourself in that scenario.

Private Party Sales 📝

In a private sale, it's the responsibility of the buyer and seller to prepare or agree on a bill of sale. Neither party is automatically provided one. This is the scenario where knowing where to find a template matters most.

What Varies by State

The rules around bills of sale are not uniform. Depending on where you are:

Because of this variation, what's optional paperwork in one state may be a required document at the DMV counter in another.

What the Bill of Sale Doesn't Do

A common misconception: a bill of sale alone doesn't transfer ownership. That requires the title. The bill of sale is supporting documentation — it establishes the terms of the transaction and creates a paper trail, but it doesn't give the buyer legal title to the vehicle.

Similarly, a bill of sale doesn't cancel the seller's registration, remove their liability, or notify the state that the vehicle changed hands. Many states have a separate process — sometimes called a notice of transfer or release of liability — that the seller files to protect themselves after a sale. That's a different document with a different purpose.

Situations Where a Bill of Sale Matters Most 🔑

• Buying a used vehicle privately, especially across state lines
• Transferring a vehicle between family members, where a gift designation affects taxes
• Registering a vehicle in a new state that requires proof of purchase
• Buying an older vehicle with a lost or delayed title, where the bill of sale serves as interim documentation
• Disputes about what was agreed to at the time of sale — odometer reading, "as-is" status, included accessories

The Missing Pieces

Whether you need an official state form or a general template, whether notarization is required, and what specific information your state's DMV expects — those details depend entirely on your state, the type of vehicle, and the circumstances of the sale. A bill of sale used in a straightforward private sale between residents of the same state looks different from one used to register a vehicle brought in from out of state or to document a gift transfer within a family.

The form itself is easy to find. Knowing exactly what it needs to say and do in your specific situation is where your state's DMV guidance becomes the deciding factor.