A bill of sale is a written record that you and another person sign to show that ownership of something — usually a vehicle, boat, or piece of equipment — has moved from one person to the other.
In Florida, a bill of sale serves as proof of the transaction. It documents what was sold, who sold it, who bought it, and how much money changed hands. The state does not require a bill of sale for every transaction, but having one protects both the buyer and the seller by creating a clear paper trail. If a dispute arises later — about the condition of the item, the price, or who actually owns it — the bill of sale is your evidence.
For vehicles and boats, Florida's Department of Motor Vehicles uses the bill of sale as part of the title transfer process. Without one, you cannot legally register the vehicle or boat in your name. For other items like equipment or personal property, a bill of sale is optional but strongly recommended.
Key Takeaways
- A bill of sale is a signed document proving that ownership of an item passed from one person to another on a specific date for a specific price.
- For vehicles and boats in Florida, you must have a bill of sale to transfer the title and register the item in your name.
- A bill of sale should include the names and addresses of both parties, a description of the item, the sale price, and the date of the transaction.
- You can use a straightforward written document, a form from the Florida Department of Motor Vehicles, or a template — all are legally valid as long as both parties sign.
- Keep a copy for your records; the original goes to the buyer or to the DMV when registering a vehicle.
What information must go on a Florida bill of sale
A bill of sale does not have to be fancy or use legal language. It straightforward needs to include enough detail that someone reading it later understands exactly what was sold and who was involved. At minimum, write down the seller's full name and address, the buyer's full name and address, the date of the sale, and a clear description of what was sold.
For a vehicle, include the year, make, model, color, and vehicle identification number (VIN). For a boat, include the hull identification number (HIN), length, year, and make. For other items, describe them in enough detail that you could identify that exact item if you saw it again — for example, "one used 2015 Honda Civic sedan, silver, with approximately 87,000 miles" rather than just "car."
Write the sale price on the bill of sale. If no money changed hands — for example, if you gave the item as a gift — write "no consideration" or "gift" instead. Both the seller and the buyer should sign and date the document. Some people also have it notarized, which means a notary public witnesses the signatures and stamps the document. Notarization is not required in Florida for most bill of sale transactions, but it does add an extra layer of proof that the signatures are real.
Where to get a bill of sale form in Florida
You do not have to use an official form. A handwritten bill of sale that includes all the necessary information is legally valid. However, the Florida Department of Motor Vehicles provides a standard form called the process for Certificate of Title with/without Lien (Form HSMV 82101), which includes a bill of sale section. You can read this form from the Florida DMV website or pick up a copy at any DMV office.
Many online legal document services and template websites also offer bill of sale forms designed for Florida. These templates are usually free or cost a few dollars. The advantage of using a form is that it reminds you what information to include and presents it in a format the DMV recognizes. The disadvantage is that you have to fill it out correctly — if you leave out required information or make a mistake, the DMV may reject it when you try to register the vehicle.
If you write your own bill of sale on plain paper, make sure both parties sign and date it, and keep a copy for your records. There is no penalty for not using the official form, as long as the document contains the required information.
How a bill of sale works for vehicle registration in Florida
When you buy a vehicle in Florida, the seller should give you the bill of sale and the title certificate (also called the certificate of ownership). You then take both documents to your local DMV office or tax collector's office to register the vehicle in your name. The DMV uses the bill of sale to confirm the sale price and the vehicle's details, and it uses the title to confirm who previously owned it.
If the seller no longer has the title — for example, because it was lost or damaged — you can still register the vehicle, but the process takes longer. You will need to file additional paperwork with the DMV to request a duplicate title. The bill of sale becomes even more important in this situation because it is your main proof that you bought the vehicle legally.
The registration process usually takes a few days to a few weeks, depending on how busy your local DMV office is. You will receive a new title certificate in the mail showing your name as the owner. Until that arrives, keep your bill of sale and your receipt from the DMV as proof that you own the vehicle.
Bill of sale requirements for boats and other watercraft
Boats registered in Florida must also have a bill of sale as part of the title transfer. The process is similar to vehicles: you present the bill of sale and the current title to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) or to an authorized tax collector's office. The FWC will issue a new title in your name.
For a boat, the bill of sale should include the hull identification number (HIN), which is usually located on the starboard (right) side of the boat near the top of the transom. If the boat does not have a HIN — for example, if it is very old — describe it as completely as possible: the length, color, year, make, and any other identifying features.
Boats that are not registered with the state — such as small sailboats or canoes — do not require a bill of sale by law, but having one is still a good idea for your protection.
What happens if you do not have a bill of sale
If you buy a vehicle or boat and the seller does not give you a bill of sale, you can still register it, but you will need other proof of the transaction. The DMV may ask for a receipt, a cancelled check, or a bank transfer record showing that you paid for the item. You can also file a form called the process for Duplicate/Replacement Title (Form HSMV 82101) and explain the situation to the DMV.
Without a bill of sale, you have less protection if a dispute arises. For example, if the seller claims they never sold you the vehicle, or if someone else claims ownership, you will have a harder time proving your side of the story. If the seller still owes money on the vehicle — a lien — and that lien is not paid off, you could end up responsible for the debt even though you bought the vehicle in good faith.
For this reason, always ask the seller for a bill of sale before you hand over money. If the seller refuses or says it is not necessary, that is a red flag. A legitimate seller will have no problem providing a bill of sale.
Private sale versus dealer sale
When you buy a vehicle from a private person (not a dealership), you are responsible for getting the bill of sale from the seller. The seller should provide it; if they do not, you can write one yourself and ask them to sign it before you pay. Make sure you have the bill of sale in hand before you give them the money.
When you buy from a dealership, the dealer provides the bill of sale as part of the paperwork. Dealerships are required by Florida law to provide this documentation. However, you should still review the bill of sale carefully to make sure all the information is correct — the vehicle's details, the price, and both signatures.
In either case, keep a copy of the bill of sale for your records. You will need it to register the vehicle, and you may need it later if you sell the vehicle yourself or if any questions come up about ownership.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a bill of sale if I am buying a car from a private person?
Yes. You need a bill of sale to register the vehicle with the Florida DMV. If the seller does not provide one, you can write one yourself on plain paper, have the seller sign it, and keep a copy. Both parties should sign and date it.
Can I use a bill of sale from another state?
A bill of sale from another state is not the same as a Florida title transfer. You will need to present it to the Florida DMV along with the vehicle's out-of-state title, and the DMV will issue a Florida title. The out-of-state bill of sale is acceptable as proof of the sale.
What if the seller and I agree on a price but I want to write a lower price on the bill of sale?
Do not do this. The bill of sale must show the actual price you paid. Writing a false price is fraud and can result in criminal charges. It also affects your registration fees and insurance, and it can cause problems if you need to prove ownership later.
Is a notarized bill of sale better than one that is not notarized?
Notarization adds proof that the signatures are real, but it is not required in Florida for most bill of sale transactions. A notarized bill of sale may be slightly stronger evidence if a dispute arises, but a regular signed bill of sale is legally valid and sufficient for DMV registration.
Can I sell a vehicle without a bill of sale?
You can, but it is not recommended. Without a bill of sale, the buyer has no written proof of the transaction, and you have no proof that you transferred ownership. If the buyer gets into an accident or commits a crime with the vehicle, you could still be held liable because the title is still in your name.