Quick Answer
A bill of sale is a signed document that records the transfer of vehicle ownership from seller to buyer, including both parties' information, the vehicle details, sale price, and date of transaction.
Whether you are buying a car off Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, or from a neighbor down the street, a bill of sale is the single most important piece of paperwork in a private party vehicle transaction. It proves you bought the car, what you paid, and who sold it to you. Without one, you risk problems at the DMV, tax disputes, and zero legal protection if something goes wrong after the sale.
This guide gives you a free template you can print and use today, explains what each field means, and covers the specific requirements for the most common states.
Why You Need a Bill of Sale
A bill of sale serves multiple purposes in a private party car transaction, and skipping it creates real problems for both buyers and sellers.
For buyers:
- Title transfer at the DMV. Many states will not process a title transfer without a bill of sale. Even states that do not require one may ask for proof of the purchase price to calculate sales tax.
- Tax documentation. The sale price on the bill of sale determines how much sales tax or use tax you owe. Without it, some states will assess tax based on the vehicle's book value — which may be higher than what you actually paid.
- Legal proof of ownership. If the seller later claims the car was stolen or disputes the sale, the bill of sale is your evidence that a legitimate transaction occurred.
For sellers:
- Liability protection. A bill of sale documents the exact date and time ownership transferred. If the buyer gets into an accident or racks up parking tickets before registering the car, the bill of sale proves you were no longer the owner.
- As-is documentation. Including an as-is clause in the bill of sale protects you from warranty claims after the sale — which is standard for all private party transactions.
If you are following our complete guide to buying a car from a private seller on Facebook Marketplace, the bill of sale is one of the final steps before you drive away with your new vehicle.
Free Printable Bill of Sale Template
Print this template or copy the fields onto a blank sheet of paper. Both buyer and seller should keep a signed copy.
Date of Sale: ____________________
SELLER INFORMATION
Full Name: ___________________________________________
Address: ___________________________________________
City / State / ZIP: ___________________________________________
Phone: ___________________________________________
BUYER INFORMATION
Full Name: ___________________________________________
Address: ___________________________________________
City / State / ZIP: ___________________________________________
Phone: ___________________________________________
VEHICLE INFORMATION
Year: __________ Make: ____________________
Model: ____________________ Color: ________________
VIN: ___________________________________________
Odometer Reading: __________________ miles
SALE DETAILS
Sale Price: $ ___________________________________________
Payment Method: ___________________________________________
AS-IS CLAUSE
This vehicle is sold "AS-IS" with no warranties, expressed or implied. The seller makes no guarantees regarding the condition, fitness, or merchantability of the vehicle. The buyer accepts the vehicle in its present condition and assumes all risk and liability.
____________________________
Print Name / Date
____________________________
Print Name / Date
Tip: Print two copies. Both the buyer and seller should sign both copies and each keep one. Take a photo of the completed form with your phone as a backup.
State-Specific Requirements
Bill of sale requirements vary by state. Here are the rules for the seven most common states for private party vehicle sales.
| State | Bill of Sale Required? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| California | Yes | Use DMV form REG 135 or equivalent. Smog certificate required for vehicles 4+ model years old. Seller must also file a Notice of Transfer (REG 138). |
| Texas | Yes | Form 130-U (Application for Texas Title) serves as the bill of sale. Must include the VIN, sale price, and odometer reading. Title transfer due within 30 days. |
| Florida | Yes | Use form HSMV 82050 or a general bill of sale. No notarization required. Title must be transferred within 30 days of purchase. |
| New York | Yes | Bill of sale must include the odometer reading, sale price, VIN, and both parties' information. Use form DTF-802 to calculate sales tax at the DMV. |
| Ohio | Recommended | Ohio does not provide a standard bill of sale form, but a written agreement with vehicle and transaction details is strongly recommended. Title must be notarized. |
| Pennsylvania | Recommended | Not legally required, but the DMV may request proof of sale price for tax purposes. Title transfer requires form MV-4ST. No notarization needed. |
| Illinois | Yes | Must include the selling price for tax calculation. Use Secretary of State form VSD 703.14 or a general bill of sale with all required fields. |
Not in one of these states? Check your state DMV website for specific bill of sale requirements. The template above covers all fields required by every US state, so it works universally even if your state has its own form.
How to Fill It Out Step by Step
Filling out a bill of sale takes five minutes. Here is what to do for each section.
Date of Sale
Write the actual date the transaction takes place — the day you exchange money and keys. This date matters because it establishes when liability transfers from the seller to the buyer. Use the full date format (e.g., April 6, 2026) to avoid ambiguity.
Seller and Buyer Information
Both parties must provide their full legal name, complete address, and phone number. The names on the bill of sale should match the IDs presented at the transaction. For the seller, the name must match the name on the vehicle title. If the title has two owners, both may need to sign depending on how the title is worded (look for "and" vs. "or" between the names).
Vehicle Information
Copy the year, make, model, and VIN directly from the vehicle title — do not rely on the listing description or your memory. Verify the VIN on the title matches the VIN on the driver's side dashboard and door jamb of the physical vehicle. Write the odometer reading exactly as it appears on the dashboard at the time of sale. Record the exterior color as it appears on the title.
Sale Price and Payment Method
Write the exact amount exchanged. Do not write a lower price to reduce the buyer's tax obligation — this is tax fraud and can cause problems for both parties if audited. Note the payment method (cash, cashier's check, etc.) for the record. If you need guidance on safe payment methods for private sales, our private seller guide covers this in detail.
Signatures
Both the buyer and seller must sign and print their name with the date. Unsigned bills of sale are not valid. If your state requires notarization (check the table above), both parties must sign in front of a notary public. Many banks and UPS Store locations offer notary services for a small fee.
Summary
A bill of sale for a car is a legal document that records the transfer of vehicle ownership between a private seller and buyer. It includes both parties' names, addresses, and contact information, along with the vehicle's year, make, model, VIN, odometer reading, and the sale price. Most US states require a bill of sale for private party vehicle title transfers, and even states that do not require one strongly recommend it. The document should include an as-is clause — standard for all private sales — which states that the buyer accepts the vehicle in its current condition with no warranties. Both parties sign the bill of sale at the time of the transaction, and each keeps a copy. A properly completed bill of sale protects buyers by proving ownership and the purchase price, and protects sellers by documenting the exact date liability transferred to the new owner.
Once you have your bill of sale signed, the next step is transferring the title at your local DMV. Do not delay — most states require title transfer within 30 days of the sale date, and some charge late fees for missing the deadline.
Frequently Asked Questions
It depends on the state. Some states like California, Texas, and New York require a bill of sale for title transfer, while others like Pennsylvania do not mandate one but strongly recommend it. Even in states where it is not legally required, a bill of sale protects both the buyer and seller by documenting the transaction details, sale price, and as-is terms. You should always create one regardless of whether your state requires it.
Most states do not require notarization for a vehicle bill of sale. However, a few states including Louisiana, Nebraska, Maryland, Montana, and West Virginia do require notarization for vehicle title transfers. Check your state DMV website for specific requirements. Even if notarization is not required, having the document notarized adds an extra layer of legal protection for both parties.
Yes, a handwritten bill of sale is legally valid in all 50 states as long as it contains the essential information: buyer and seller names and addresses, vehicle description including VIN, sale price, date of sale, odometer reading, and signatures from both parties. A typed or printed template is easier to read and less likely to cause issues at the DMV, but handwritten is perfectly acceptable if you include all the required fields.
Without a bill of sale, you may have difficulty transferring the title at your DMV, proving the purchase price for tax purposes, or resolving disputes about the sale terms. In states that require a bill of sale, the DMV will not process the title transfer without one. If the seller later claims you stole the vehicle or disputes the agreed price, you have no written proof of the transaction. Always insist on a bill of sale before handing over payment.
Yes. An as-is clause states that the buyer accepts the vehicle in its current condition with no warranties from the seller. This is standard for virtually all private party vehicle sales and protects the seller from liability if mechanical issues arise after the sale. As a buyer, the as-is clause is why getting a pre-purchase inspection before finalizing the deal is so important — once you sign, the vehicle and any problems are yours.
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