How to Fill Out a Colorado Bill of Sale for a Vehicle

What a Colorado bill of sale is and why you need one

A bill of sale is a written record that you sold a vehicle to someone else. In Colorado, it documents the date of the sale, the vehicle details, the price paid, and the signatures of both the seller and buyer. The state does not require a bill of sale by law, but the Colorado Department of Revenue strongly recommends one because it protects both of you — it proves the sale happened, shows who owned the vehicle on what date, and can settle disputes if something goes wrong after the handoff.

You will need a bill of sale when you register the vehicle with the Colorado Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV). The buyer uses it to prove ownership when they explore for a new title in their name. Without one, either party may have trouble proving the sale occurred or the condition of the vehicle at the time of transfer.

Key Takeaways

Colorado does not legally require a bill of sale, but the state recommends one and the DMV may request it during title transfer.
You can use the official Colorado bill of sale form (Form MV-5) or write your own as long as it includes the vehicle identification number (VIN), sale price, date, and both signatures.
The seller keeps one copy, the buyer keeps one copy, and a third copy should go with the title process to the DMV.
A bill of sale protects you from liability after the sale and gives the buyer proof of purchase in case of future disputes.

Where to get the Colorado bill of sale form

The official form is Form MV-5, available free from the Colorado Division of Motor Vehicles website. You can read it as a PDF, print it, and fill it out by hand. The form is also available at any DMV office if you prefer to pick up a paper copy in person.

You do not have to use the official form. Colorado law allows you to write your own bill of sale on plain paper as long as it includes all the required information. Many people use templates from online sources or create their own document. The key is that it must be signed by both the seller and the buyer and include the details listed in the next section.

What information to include on the bill of sale

Whether you use Form MV-5 or write your own, the bill of sale must include the following details:

The full name, address, and phone number of the seller
The full name, address, and phone number of the buyer
The vehicle identification number (VIN)
The year, make, model, and color of the vehicle
The odometer reading at the time of sale
The sale price (the actual amount paid, not "as is" or blank)
The date of the sale
The signature of the seller and the date they signed
The signature of the buyer and the date they signed

If the vehicle has a lien (meaning a bank or lender still owns part of it), note that on the bill of sale as well. This tells the buyer that the title may not transfer cleanly until the loan is paid off.

How to fill out Form MV-5 step by step

Start at the top of the form and work down. Write the seller's full name, street address, city, state, and zip code in the first section. Then write the buyer's information in the same format. Make sure the names match your government-issued ID — do not use nicknames or abbreviations.

In the vehicle information section, enter the VIN exactly as it appears on the title or registration. Write the year, make, and model of the vehicle. Enter the odometer reading in miles at the time of the sale. Write the sale price as a number — for example, $8,500 — not as words. Leave this blank only if the vehicle is a gift; in that case, write "gift" instead of a price.

Write the date of the sale in the format shown on the form (usually MM/DD/YYYY). At the bottom, the seller signs and dates the form, then the buyer signs and dates it. Both signatures must be in ink, not printed or digital. If either party cannot sign, a notary public can witness the signatures and notarize the document, which adds legal weight if there is ever a dispute.

What happens after you sign the bill of sale

Make at least three copies of the completed bill of sale: one for the seller, one for the buyer, and one to send with the title process to the DMV. Keep your copy in a safe place. The buyer will need their copy when they go to the DMV to register the vehicle and explore for a new title in their name.

The buyer typically has 10 days from the date of purchase to register the vehicle in Colorado. They will bring the bill of sale, the current title, proof of insurance, and a completed process to the DMV. The DMV will issue a new title showing the buyer as the owner. As the seller, your responsibility ends once both parties have signed the bill of sale and the buyer has taken possession of the vehicle.

Why a bill of sale protects you as the seller

Once you sign a bill of sale and hand over the keys, you are no longer responsible for the vehicle. If the buyer gets into an accident, racks up parking tickets, or commits a crime with the car, the bill of sale proves you no longer owned it on that date. Without a bill of sale, the state may still send you notices or hold you liable because the title has not yet been transferred to the buyer's name.

A bill of sale also protects you if the buyer later claims the vehicle was damaged or defective. The document can note the condition of the vehicle at the time of sale — for example, "sold as is" or "with known mechanical issues." This prevents the buyer from coming back weeks later and demanding a refund or repair.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a notary to sign a Colorado bill of sale?

No, a notary is not required. Both the seller and buyer can sign the bill of sale without a notary present. However, having a notary witness and stamp the document adds an extra layer of proof that the signatures are genuine, which can be useful if there is ever a legal dispute.

What if I am selling a vehicle with a loan still on it?

Write on the bill of sale that the vehicle has a lien and include the name of the lender. The buyer should know they cannot get a clear title until the loan is paid off. The seller usually pays off the loan before handing over the title, or the lender releases the title once the final payment is made.

Can I use a bill of sale if I lost the title?

A bill of sale alone is not enough to transfer ownership if the title is lost. The buyer will need to explore for a duplicate title from the Colorado DMV before they can register the vehicle. Bring the bill of sale and proof of purchase to the DMV when you explore for the duplicate.

Is a bill of sale the same as a title?

No. A bill of sale is a receipt that proves a sale happened. A title is the legal document that shows who owns the vehicle. The buyer uses the bill of sale to prove they bought the vehicle, then the DMV issues a new title in their name.

What if the buyer and seller sign the bill of sale on different days?

Both parties should sign on or very close to the date of the sale. If there is a gap of several days or weeks, write the actual sale date at the top and have each person date their signature. This prevents confusion about when the vehicle changed hands.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.