A Texas bill of sale for a car is a written record that you and the buyer (or seller) both sign to show that ownership has changed hands
Texas does not require a bill of sale by law, but the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles recognizes it as proof of the transaction when you transfer the title at the county tax assessor's office. Without one, you have no document showing when the sale occurred, what price was paid, or that you are no longer responsible for the vehicle. The bill of sale protects both the seller and the buyer by creating a paper trail that matches the title transfer.
You can use the Texas Motor Vehicle Bill of Sale (Form 14-317), which the DMV publishes, or you can write your own as long as it includes the required information. Either way, both parties must sign and date it, and you should keep a copy for your records before you hand over the keys.
Key Takeaways
- Texas law does not require a bill of sale, but the DMV recognizes it as proof of sale when you file the title transfer at your county tax assessor's office.
- The bill of sale must show the vehicle identification number (VIN), the sale price, the date of sale, and the printed names and signatures of both the seller and the buyer.
- You can read Form 14-317 from the Texas DMV website or write your own bill of sale as long as it contains all required information.
- The seller should keep a copy to prove they no longer own the vehicle; the buyer should keep a copy to prove ownership until the title is transferred.
What information must be on a Texas bill of sale
The bill of sale must identify the vehicle clearly so there is no confusion about which car changed hands. Include the vehicle identification number (VIN), the year, make, model, and color. You should also note the odometer reading at the time of sale, because Texas law requires this information on the title transfer form anyway.
Both the seller and the buyer must print their full legal names and sign the document. Include the seller's address and the buyer's address. Write the sale price in both numbers and words (for example, "Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00") to prevent disputes later. Add the date the sale took place, not the date you are signing the bill of sale if those are different days.
If the vehicle has a lien on it — meaning a bank or lender still owns part of it — that should be noted on the bill of sale. The lien holder's name and the loan account number help the buyer understand what they are inheriting and what the seller still owes.
How to get the official Texas DMV form
The Texas Department of Motor Vehicles publishes Form 14-317, the official bill of sale template. You can read it as a PDF from the DMV website (texas.gov/motor-vehicles) under the forms section. Print it out, fill it in by hand or typewriter, and have both parties sign it in blue or black ink.
Some county tax assessor's offices keep printed copies on hand, so you can also call or visit your local office to ask if they have one available. A few title companies and car dealerships also stock copies, though they may ask you to use their own version instead.
If you cannot find Form 14-317 or prefer not to use it, you can write a bill of sale on plain paper as long as it includes all the required information listed above. The DMV will accept a handwritten or typed bill of sale at the time of title transfer as long as both parties have signed it.
When the seller and buyer should sign
Both parties should sign the bill of sale at the same time, in person if possible. This way, each person can verify that the information is correct and that the other party agrees to the terms. If you are buying or selling a car online or from a distance, you can sign separately, but make sure both signatures are on the same document before the money changes hands.
The bill of sale should be signed before or on the same day as the sale. If you sign it weeks later, it raises questions about when the actual transfer occurred and whether the seller was still responsible for the vehicle in the meantime. Keep the date accurate.
Some buyers and sellers notarize the bill of sale to add an extra layer of proof, though Texas does not require it. A notary public will verify that both parties signed in front of them and that the signatures match their identification. This costs a few dollars but can be useful if there is ever a dispute about whether the sale actually happened.
What happens with the bill of sale after the sale
The buyer needs the bill of sale when they go to the county tax assessor's office to transfer the title into their name. Bring the bill of sale, the current title certificate, proof of insurance, and a completed process for Texas Title (Form 130-U). The tax assessor will record the sale and issue a new title in the buyer's name.
The seller should keep a copy of the signed bill of sale for their records. This proves that they sold the vehicle on a specific date and are no longer responsible for it. If the vehicle is later involved in an accident, a crime, or a parking violation, the seller can show the bill of sale to prove they no longer owned it at the time.
If the buyer does not transfer the title right away, the seller's copy of the bill of sale is important protection. Some sellers also send a copy to their insurance company to confirm the sale date, which can help if there is a dispute about coverage.
Common mistakes to avoid when filling out a bill of sale
Do not leave the VIN blank or write it incorrectly. The VIN is the unique identifier for the vehicle, and if it does not match the title, the tax assessor's office will reject the transfer. Copy it directly from the title certificate or the vehicle's dashboard.
Do not write "as is" or "no warranty" on the bill of sale unless you mean it. In Texas, a private sale is assumed to be "as is" unless the seller makes a specific promise about the vehicle's condition. If you write these words, you are making it clear that the buyer is taking the car in whatever condition it is in, with no recourse if something breaks the next day.
Do not sign the bill of sale in pencil or with a signature that looks nothing like your identification. The tax assessor's office may ask to see your driver's license to confirm the signature matches. Use blue or black ink and sign your name the way it appears on your ID.
Do not forget to include the sale price. Some people leave this blank thinking it is private, but the tax assessor's office needs it to calculate the title transfer fee. If you leave it blank, the office may assign a value based on similar vehicles, which could result in a higher fee than you expected.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a bill of sale instead of transferring the title?
No. The bill of sale is a record of the sale, but the title is the legal proof of ownership. You must transfer the title at the county tax assessor's office for the buyer to be the official owner. The bill of sale supports that process but does not replace it.
What if I lost the bill of sale after the sale?
If you are the seller, you can ask the buyer for a copy. If you are the buyer and lost it before transferring the title, contact the seller and ask them to sign another one. The tax assessor's office may also accept other proof of sale, such as a cancelled check or a receipt, though a bill of sale is the standard document.
Do I need a bill of sale if I am trading in my car at a dealership?
No. The dealership will handle the paperwork and the title transfer as part of the trade-in process. They will give you a receipt showing the trade-in value, which serves as your proof of sale for that vehicle.
Can I write a bill of sale on my phone or computer and print it?
Yes. You can type the bill of sale in a word processor, print it out, and have both parties sign it in ink. The signature must be handwritten, but the rest of the document can be typed. Make sure both parties have a signed copy before the sale is final.
What if the seller and buyer disagree on the sale price after signing?
The bill of sale is a binding record of what both parties agreed to on the date it was signed. If there is a dispute, the signed bill of sale is the evidence of the agreed price. This is why it is important to get the price in writing and have both parties sign before money changes hands.