What a Florida auto bill of sale is and when 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 Florida, it is not legally required to complete a sale — the state does not mandate it — but you should create one anyway because it protects both the buyer and the seller if questions come up later about who owned the car on a specific date, what price was agreed to, or what condition the vehicle was in.
You need a bill of sale when you are buying or selling a used car, truck, motorcycle, or other motor vehicle from a private person (not a dealership). Dealerships create their own paperwork. A bill of sale becomes especially important if the buyer or seller later disputes the sale, if there is a problem with the title transfer, or if the vehicle is involved in an accident or legal issue after the handoff.
Florida does not have a single official bill of sale form that you must use. You can write one yourself on plain paper, use a template, or purchase a pre-printed form from an office supply store or online. What matters is that the document includes the key information and is signed by both parties.
Key Takeaways
- A Florida bill of sale is not legally required but protects both buyer and seller by documenting the sale date, price, vehicle details, and condition.
- The document must include the vehicle identification number (VIN), the sale price, the date of sale, and signatures from both the buyer and seller.
- You can write a bill of sale yourself, use a free template, or buy a pre-printed form; Florida does not mandate a specific official form.
- The buyer should keep the bill of sale when explore for a title transfer at the Florida Department of Motor Vehicles, and the seller should keep a copy for their records.
What information to include on a Florida bill of sale
Your bill of sale must contain the vehicle identification number (VIN), which you can find on the dashboard on the driver's side, on the title document, or on the vehicle registration. Include the year, make, model, and color of the vehicle. Write down the odometer reading at the time of sale — this is the mileage shown on the dashboard. Add the sale price in dollars and cents, and note whether any trade-in or other items were part of the deal.
Write the full legal name, address, and phone number of the seller. Do the same for the buyer. Include the date the sale took place. Add a line for both parties to sign and print their names. Some people also note the condition of the vehicle (for example, "as-is" or "with new tires") to prevent later disputes about what was promised.
You do not need to notarize a bill of sale in Florida, though some people choose to do so for extra protection. A notary public can witness the signatures and stamp the document, which makes it harder to claim later that someone did not actually sign it. This step costs a few dollars and takes a few minutes but is optional.
How to write a bill of sale from scratch
Start with a heading at the top: "Bill of Sale" or "Motor Vehicle Bill of Sale." Below that, write "Seller:" followed by the seller's full name, street address, city, state, zip code, and phone number. On the next line, write "Buyer:" and fill in the buyer's information the same way.
Create a section for vehicle details. Write "Vehicle Information:" and list the VIN, year, make, model, color, and odometer reading. Add a line for the sale price: "Sale Price: $______." Write the date of sale as "Date of Sale: ______." Add a note about the condition if relevant, such as "Vehicle sold as-is" or "Vehicle includes new battery."
At the bottom, create signature lines. Write "Seller Signature: _________________ Date: _______" and "Seller Printed Name: _________________." Repeat for the buyer. Both parties should sign and print their names in pen. Make at least two copies — one for the buyer, one for the seller — before anyone signs, so both can sign the same version.
Using a template or pre-printed form
You can find free bill of sale templates online by searching "Florida motor vehicle bill of sale template." Many legal document websites and the Florida Department of Motor Vehicles website offer downloadable PDFs you can print and fill in by hand. These templates already have the correct sections and language, so you straightforward write in the blanks.
Office supply stores like Staples or Office Depot sell pre-printed bill of sale pads for a few dollars. These are small booklets with multiple copies — you fill out one page and the copies are made automatically as you write. This method is quick and ensures both parties get an identical copy without having to photocopy afterward.
Whether you use a template or a pre-printed form, read through the entire document before signing to make sure all the information is correct. Check the VIN, the sale price, the names, and the date. If something is wrong, cross it out, write the correction above it, and have both parties initial the change.
What happens after you sign the bill of sale
The buyer should keep the original bill of sale and bring it when they go to the Florida Department of Motor Vehicles to transfer the title into their name. The buyer will also need the title document signed by the seller, a completed process for Certificate of Title (Form HSMV 82040), proof of identification, and proof of Florida residency. The DMV uses the bill of sale as evidence of the purchase price and date.
The seller should keep a copy of the bill of sale for their records. If the vehicle is later involved in an accident, theft, or legal issue, the seller can show the bill of sale to prove they no longer owned it on that date. The seller should also remove the license plate from the vehicle and return it to the DMV, or notify the DMV that the vehicle has been sold, depending on the plate type.
If the buyer does not transfer the title right away, the seller's name will still appear on the registration. This can create problems if the vehicle is ticketed or towed. For this reason, many sellers ask the buyer to transfer the title within a specific number of days and include that important date in the bill of sale.
Common mistakes to avoid
Do not leave blanks on the bill of sale. If you are not including a trade-in or do not want to note the condition, write "N/A" or "None" in those spaces so someone cannot fill them in later. Do not use pencil — use pen so the document cannot be erased and altered. Do not sign the bill of sale before all the information is filled in correctly.
Do not assume the buyer will transfer the title quickly. If you are the seller, follow up with the buyer after a week or two to confirm they have started the title transfer process. If they have not, you may want to contact the DMV yourself to report the sale, which protects you if the vehicle is used in a crime or involved in an accident after you sold it.
Do not accept a bill of sale that has been altered or crossed out multiple times without initials from both parties next to the changes. If you are the buyer, do not pay for the vehicle until you have a signed bill of sale in your hands. If you are the seller, do not hand over the keys or title until the buyer has signed the bill of sale.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Florida require a bill of sale for a private car sale?
No, Florida does not legally require a bill of sale. However, creating one protects both the buyer and seller by documenting the sale date, price, and vehicle condition. Without one, either party may have difficulty proving the terms of the sale if a dispute arises later.
Can I use a bill of sale from another state in Florida?
Yes, a bill of sale from another state is generally accepted in Florida as long as it includes all the required information: VIN, sale price, date, and signatures from both parties. However, using a Florida-specific template ensures the document includes everything the Florida DMV expects to see.
What if I lose my copy of the bill of sale after the sale?
If you are the buyer, contact the seller and ask for another copy. If you are the seller and the buyer loses their copy, you cannot get a new one from the DMV — the buyer must contact you. This is why keeping a copy for at least several years is important for both parties.
Do I need to have the bill of sale notarized in Florida?
Notarization is not required in Florida, but it adds an extra layer of protection by having a notary public witness the signatures. This costs a few dollars and takes a few minutes. It is optional but recommended if you want to make the document harder to dispute later.
What if the buyer and seller disagree on the sale price after signing?
The bill of sale is the written record of what was agreed to. If there is a dispute, the signed bill of sale is the evidence of the agreed price. This is why it is important to make sure the price is correct before signing and to keep a copy for your records.