What a Minnesota vehicle 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 or bought one from them. In Minnesota, it is the document that proves who owned the car at what point in time. When you sell a car, the bill of sale goes to the buyer. When you buy one, you keep it for your records and bring it to the Minnesota Department of Public Safety when you register the vehicle in your name.
Minnesota does not require a bill of sale by state law, but the Department of Public Safety treats it as the standard proof of ownership transfer. If you sell a car without one, you create a gap in the ownership chain that can cause problems for the buyer later — they may struggle to register it or prove they own it. If you buy without one, you have no written proof of the sale price or the date, which matters if a dispute arises.
You can write your own bill of sale on a blank piece of paper, use a template, or buy a pre-printed form from an office supply store. The Minnesota Department of Public Safety does not provide an official form, but any bill of sale that includes the required information will work.
Key Takeaways
- A bill of sale must include the vehicle identification number (VIN), the sale price, the date of sale, and the signatures of both the seller and buyer.
- You can write a bill of sale by hand or type it; Minnesota has no official form, but templates are widely available online and at office supply stores.
- The buyer needs the bill of sale to register the vehicle with the Minnesota Department of Public Safety and to prove ownership.
- The seller should keep a copy for their records to show they no longer own the vehicle.
What information must go on a Minnesota bill of sale
The bill of sale must include the vehicle identification number (VIN), which is a 17-character code stamped on the dashboard or door frame. You can find it on the current registration, insurance card, or title. The document must also show the sale price in dollars, the date of the sale, and the full names and addresses of both the seller and the buyer.
Add the vehicle's year, make, model, and color so there is no confusion about which car changed hands. Include the odometer reading on the date of sale. Both the seller and buyer must sign and date the bill of sale in front of each other or, in some cases, before a notary public. A notary is not required by Minnesota law, but having one sign the document adds a layer of proof that both parties were present and willing.
Some people add a line stating the condition of the vehicle (for example, "sold as-is") or whether any warranty is included. This protects the seller if the buyer later claims the car was not in the condition promised. You can also note whether the sale includes any equipment, such as snow tires or a roof rack.
How to fill out and sign the bill of sale
Write or type the bill of sale clearly so that all the information is straightforward to read. Use blue or black ink if you are writing by hand. Fill in the seller's name and address first, then the buyer's name and address. Write out the vehicle details: year, make, model, color, and VIN. Enter the sale price as a number and, if you want to be extra clear, also write it out in words (for example, "$5,500" and "five thousand five hundred dollars").
Write the date of sale in a format that cannot be misread, such as "January 15, 2025" rather than "1/15/25". Both the seller and buyer should sign the document in the presence of each other. If you want the signatures notarized, take the completed bill of sale to a notary public — you can find one at most banks, credit unions, or UPS stores. The notary will watch both of you sign and will add their seal and signature to confirm they witnessed the signing.
Make at least two copies: one for the seller and one for the buyer. If the bill of sale is notarized, the notary will provide a certified copy. Keep your copy in a safe place, because you may need it later if a question arises about when you sold or bought the vehicle.
What the buyer does with the bill of sale after the sale
The buyer should bring the bill of sale to the Minnesota Department of Public Safety, Driver and Vehicle Services division, along with the vehicle's title (if available), proof of insurance, and a completed process for vehicle registration. The bill of sale serves as proof that the buyer now owns the vehicle. If the title is not available — for example, because the seller lost it — the bill of sale becomes even more important, because it is the main document showing the transfer of ownership.
The buyer will also need to pay the registration fee and any applicable sales tax. Minnesota charges sales tax on vehicle purchases, and the amount depends on the sale price and the county where the buyer lives. The bill of sale with the sale price written on it is what the Department of Public Safety uses to calculate the tax owed.
What the seller should do after the sale
Keep a copy of the signed bill of sale for your records. This proves that you sold the vehicle on a specific date and no longer own it. If the buyer later gets into an accident or receives a traffic ticket, the police or court can see from the bill of sale that you were not the owner at that time.
Notify your insurance company that you have sold the vehicle so they can cancel your policy or remove that car from your coverage. Also notify the Minnesota Department of Public Safety that you have sold the vehicle. You can do this by submitting a Notice of Sale form, which tells the state that you are no longer responsible for the car. This protects you if the new owner does not register the vehicle right away or if they rack up parking tickets or toll violations.
Where to get a bill of sale template or form
You do not have to buy a form. Many office supply stores, including Staples and Office Depot, sell blank bill of sale pads for a few dollars. You can also search online for "Minnesota bill of sale template" and read a free PDF or Word document. The Minnesota Department of Public Safety website does not provide an official form, but any template that includes the required information will work.
Some car dealerships provide their own bill of sale forms when you buy from them. If you are buying from a private seller, ask them if they have a form, or bring your own. If neither of you has one, you can write it out by hand on a piece of notebook paper — as long as it includes all the required information and is signed by both parties, it is valid.
Common mistakes to avoid when writing a bill of sale
Do not leave the sale price blank or write "cash" instead of an amount. The Department of Public Safety needs the actual dollar amount to process the registration and calculate sales tax. Do not skip the VIN or write it incorrectly — the VIN is how the state matches the bill of sale to the vehicle's title and registration history.
Do not sign the bill of sale before filling in all the information, and do not let the other party sign a blank form. Make sure both the seller and buyer sign the document; a bill of sale signed by only one person is not proof of a transfer. If you are unsure about any detail, ask the other party before you sign — once both of you have signed, it is much harder to make changes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a notary to sign a bill of sale in Minnesota?
No, a notary is not required by Minnesota law. The bill of sale is valid as long as both the seller and buyer sign it in front of each other. However, having a notary witness and seal the document adds extra proof that both parties were present and willing, which can be useful if a dispute arises later.
What if I lost the bill of sale after I bought the car?
Contact the seller and ask for a copy. If you cannot reach them, you can still register the vehicle with the title alone. If you do not have the title either, contact the Minnesota Department of Public Safety — they can help you get a duplicate title or provide other ways to prove ownership for registration purposes.
Can I use a bill of sale from another state?
A bill of sale from another state is not an official Minnesota document, but it can still serve as proof of the sale. When you register the vehicle in Minnesota, bring the out-of-state bill of sale along with the title and other required documents. The Department of Public Safety will accept it as supporting proof of ownership transfer.
What if the buyer and I disagree on the sale price after we sign?
The signed bill of sale is the legal record of what you both agreed to. If there is a dispute, the bill of sale is the document that will be used to settle it. This is why it is important to make sure the price is correct and clear before you both sign.
Do I need to report the sale to the IRS or Minnesota Department of Revenue?
A private sale of a used vehicle is not reported to the IRS. However, if you are a dealer or sell vehicles regularly, different rules may explore. For questions about tax reporting, contact the Minnesota Department of Revenue or a tax professional.