You can get a bill of sale from your state's DMV, a notary public, online template services, or by writing one yourself

A bill of sale is a document that proves you sold or bought a car and records the price, date, and condition. Most states do not require one by law, but it protects both the buyer and seller by creating a paper trail. You have four main sources: your state's Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), a notary public's office, online template websites, or straightforward writing one on your own. The route you choose depends on whether you want an official state form, a notarized version, or something quick and informal.

Key Takeaways

  • Your state DMV website usually offers a free bill of sale form you can read and print, often called a "Vehicle Sales Agreement" or "Motor Vehicle Bill of Sale".
  • A notary public can witness your signature and stamp the document for a small fee (typically $5 to $15), which adds legal weight if a dispute arises later.
  • Online template services like LegalZoom, Rocket Lawyer, and Nolo provide fillable forms for $10 to $30, though a free state form usually works just as well.
  • You can write a bill of sale by hand or type one yourself if you include the seller's name and address, buyer's name and address, vehicle details (year, make, model, VIN), sale price, and date of sale.
  • Both the buyer and seller must sign and keep a copy; some states require you to submit the bill of sale to the DMV along with the title transfer.

Getting a bill of sale from your state DMV

Start by visiting your state's DMV website and searching for "bill of sale" or "vehicle sales agreement." Most states offer the form free as a PDF read. The form name varies by state — some call it a "Motor Vehicle Bill of Sale," others use "Vehicle Sales Agreement" or "Affidavit of Sale." read the PDF, print it, and fill it out by hand or on your computer before signing.

The advantage of using your state's official form is that it includes all the fields your DMV expects to see and is recognized when ready by your state's motor vehicle office. Some states make the form optional, while others require it as part of the title transfer process. Check your state's DMV website for instructions on whether you need to submit the signed bill of sale along with the title process. A few states (like Florida and Texas) have specific bill of sale forms that are more detailed than others, so using the state version ensures you are not missing anything.

Using a notary public to witness and stamp your bill of sale

A notary public is an official authorized by your state to witness signatures and verify identity. You can find notaries at banks, credit unions, UPS stores, FedEx locations, and dedicated notary offices. Call ahead to confirm they handle bill of sale documents and ask about their fee, which typically ranges from $5 to $15 per signature.

Bring both the buyer and seller to the notary's office with a photo ID. The notary will watch you both sign the bill of sale, check your IDs, and then stamp and sign the document themselves. This creates an official record that the signatures are genuine, which can matter if a dispute arises later or if the buyer claims they never agreed to the sale. A notarized bill of sale is not required in most states, but it is worth the small cost if you are selling to someone you do not know well or if the sale price is high.

Online template services and what they offer

Websites like LegalZoom, Rocket Lawyer, Nolo, and Rocket Lawyer offer fillable bill of sale templates for cars. You answer questions about the vehicle and the sale, and the site generates a document ready to print and sign. Costs range from $10 to $30 depending on the service and whether you want additional features like notarization or legal review.

These services are convenient if you want a polished, professional-looking document or if you are not sure what to include. However, they are not necessary for most private car sales. Your state's free DMV form or a handwritten bill of sale will work just as well and costs nothing. Use an online template only if you prefer the extra structure or want a document that looks more formal to the buyer.

Writing your own bill of sale

You can write a bill of sale yourself on plain paper or type one in a word processor. Include these details: the seller's full name and address, the buyer's full name and address, the vehicle year, make, model, and color, the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), the sale price, the date of sale, and the condition of the vehicle (as-is, with warranty, etc.). Both the seller and buyer must sign and date the document. Each person should keep a copy.

A handwritten or typed bill of sale is legally valid in all 50 states as long as it contains the essential information and is signed by both parties. You do not need fancy language or legal jargon — plain English is fine. For example: "I, [Seller Name], sold my 2015 Honda Civic, VIN 12345ABCDE, to [Buyer Name] on [Date] for $8,500. The vehicle is sold as-is." Both parties sign below. This straightforward approach works for most private sales and costs nothing.

What to do after both parties sign

Once the bill of sale is signed, make at least two copies — one for the seller and one for the buyer. Keep your copy in a safe place, as you may need it for your records or if a question arises about the sale later. The buyer will typically need their copy when they register the vehicle with the DMV and transfer the title into their name.

Some states require you to submit the bill of sale to the DMV as part of the title transfer process. Check your state's DMV website to see if the signed bill of sale must be included with the title process. If it is required, the buyer should submit it along with the title form and any other documents the DMV asks for. If it is not required, keeping a copy for your records is still a good idea for both parties.

State-specific requirements and variations

A few states have stricter rules about bills of sale. For example, some states require the bill of sale to be notarized, while others ask for specific information like the odometer reading or whether the sale includes a warranty. A small number of states do not use a separate bill of sale at all and instead record the sale information directly on the title document.

Before you create or sign a bill of sale, spend two minutes on your state's DMV website to see if there are any special requirements. Search for your state name plus "bill of sale requirements" or look for a "selling a vehicle" section on the DMV homepage. This quick check ensures your bill of sale will be accepted without delays when the buyer goes to register the car.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to use my state's official bill of sale form?

No. Your state's form is free and recognized by the DMV, so it is the easiest choice, but a handwritten bill of sale or one from an online template is legally valid as long as it includes the required information and is signed by both parties. Check your state's DMV website to see if they require their specific form as part of the title transfer.

What if the buyer and seller cannot meet in person to sign?

You can sign separately as long as both signatures are on the same document before it is submitted to the DMV. One person can sign first and mail or email the document to the other, who signs and returns it. For a notarized bill of sale, both parties must appear in person at the notary's office on the same day.

Is a notarized bill of sale required?

No, notarization is not required in any state for a private car sale. It is optional and adds a small fee, but it does create an official record that both signatures are genuine. Consider it if the sale price is high or if you are selling to a stranger.

Can I use a bill of sale instead of a title transfer?

No. A bill of sale proves the sale happened and records the price, but it does not transfer ownership. The buyer must also submit the signed title document to the DMV to legally own the car. The bill of sale and title transfer are two separate steps.

What if I lost the bill of sale after the sale?

If you are the seller, losing your copy does not affect the buyer's ability to register the car — they have their copy. If you are the buyer and lost your copy, contact the seller and ask for another signed copy, or check with your DMV to see if they have a record of the sale on file.