Massachusetts requires a bill of sale for any vehicle transfer, but the state does not provide an official form
When you sell or buy a car in Massachusetts, you need a bill of sale — a document that records the sale and transfers ownership. The Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) does not publish a required form, which means you can write one yourself, use a template, or buy a pre-printed form from an office supply store. What matters is that the document contains the information the RMV expects to see when you register the vehicle under the new owner's name.
The bill of sale is not filed with the RMV. Instead, you keep it as proof of the transaction, and the buyer uses it when they go to the RMV to register the car in their name. If you are selling the car, you will also need to complete the back of your current registration certificate (the "pink slip") to show that you transferred ownership.
Key Takeaways
- Massachusetts does not have an official bill of sale form, so you can create one yourself as long as it includes the seller's name and address, buyer's name and address, vehicle identification number (VIN), make and model, year, odometer reading, sale price, and date of sale.
- Both the seller and buyer must sign the bill of sale, and it is wise to have the signatures witnessed or notarized, though Massachusetts does not legally require this.
- The seller must complete the back of the registration certificate to release ownership, and the buyer must bring both the bill of sale and the signed registration to the RMV to register the vehicle.
- The bill of sale protects both parties by creating a written record of the transaction, the condition of the vehicle, and the agreed-upon price.
What information must be on the bill of sale
A Massachusetts bill of sale should include the seller's full name and address, the buyer's full name and address, and the vehicle identification number (VIN). You can find the VIN on the dashboard on the driver's side, on the registration certificate, or on the insurance card.
Add the vehicle's make, model, and year, the odometer reading at the time of sale, the sale price, and the date of the sale. If the car is being sold "as is" (meaning the buyer accepts it in its current condition), you can note that on the bill of sale. You can also list any known defects or damage, which protects you as the seller by showing the buyer knew about the problems before purchase.
Both the seller and buyer must sign and date the bill of sale. While Massachusetts law does not require signatures to be notarized or witnessed, having a notary public or witness sign the document adds a layer of protection and can help if a dispute arises later.
How to complete the registration transfer
The seller must sign the back of the current registration certificate (the pink slip) to release ownership of the vehicle. This is a separate step from the bill of sale. The seller fills in the buyer's name and address on the back of the registration and signs it.
The buyer then takes both the signed bill of sale and the signed registration certificate to the RMV to register the car in their name. The buyer will also need to bring proof of insurance and pay the registration fee. The RMV will issue a new registration certificate in the buyer's name.
Where to get a bill of sale form
You do not have to use a pre-printed form. You can write a bill of sale on plain paper, as long as it includes all the required information. Many people type one up or write it by hand.
If you prefer a template, office supply stores like Staples sell blank bill of sale forms for a few dollars. The Massachusetts RMV website does not provide an official form, but many legal document websites and free resources offer templates you can read and print. Any of these will work as long as you fill in all the details and both parties sign.
Why a bill of sale matters for both buyer and seller
For the seller, a bill of sale creates a record that you sold the car on a specific date for a specific price. If a problem arises later — for example, if the buyer does not register the car and it gets a parking ticket or is involved in an accident — you have proof that you no longer owned it. This protects you from liability.
For the buyer, the bill of sale is proof of ownership and the agreed-upon sale price. If there is ever a dispute about the condition of the car or the terms of the sale, the bill of sale is your documentation. It is also useful for insurance purposes and for establishing the purchase price if you later need to file a claim.
What happens if you sell a car without a bill of sale
Selling a car without a bill of sale is risky for both parties. Without written documentation, there is no proof of when the sale occurred, who bought it, or what was agreed upon. If the buyer does not register the car promptly and it accumulates parking tickets or is involved in an accident, the original owner may still be held responsible because the RMV records still show them as the owner.
The buyer also has no written proof of purchase, which can complicate insurance claims or resale later. Creating a bill of sale takes only a few minutes and costs nothing if you write it yourself, so it is worth doing even for a private sale between friends or family.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to notarize the bill of sale in Massachusetts?
No, Massachusetts does not legally require the bill of sale to be notarized. However, having a notary public or witness sign the document adds credibility and can help settle disputes. Some people choose to notarize for extra protection, especially in larger transactions.
What if the buyer does not register the car right away?
You should complete the back of your registration certificate to show you transferred ownership. Keep a copy of the signed bill of sale for your records. If the car accumulates tickets or is involved in an accident before the buyer registers it, you have documentation showing you sold it and when.
Can I use a bill of sale from another state?
Yes, as long as it contains all the information Massachusetts requires. The RMV does not care what form you use, only that the document has the seller's and buyer's names and addresses, the VIN, vehicle details, sale price, date, and both signatures.
What if I sold the car but the buyer never registered it?
Contact the RMV and explain that you sold the vehicle. Bring your copy of the bill of sale and the signed registration certificate. The RMV can update their records to show the transfer, which removes you from liability for tickets or accidents involving that car.
Is a bill of sale the same as a title in Massachusetts?
No. The bill of sale is a record of the sale transaction. The title (or registration certificate) is the official RMV document that shows who owns the car. The bill of sale helps you transfer the title to the new owner, but it is not the title itself.