Many states provide an official DMV Bill of Sale, but some states do not offer an official form and thus templates for those states were created by F&I Tools for private party "as is" car sales.
What is a Bill of Sale ?
A Bill of Sale is a receipt to document the transaction during the sale of a motor vehicle.
Is a Bill of Sale the same as a title ?
No.
It is important to note that a Bill of Sale does not transfer ownership.
The certificate of ownership (aka car title) must accompany the Bill of Sale during the transaction.
Additional documents are also required along with a visit to the DMV to officially complete the transfer of ownership. Check your state’s website for a list of official documents and procedures.
The most common forms to accompany the Bill of Sale are a Certificate of Title and an official DMV Transfer Form.
How do I write a vehicle Bill of Sale ?
Official verbiage differs by state, however a Bill of Sale template must at least contain the following information:
Vehicle year, make, model, body type, color, mileage, VIN – date of transaction – sale price – buyer’s name, physical address, phone number, and signature – seller’s name, physical address, phone number, and signature.
Do I need a Bill of Sale to sell my car privately ?
Some states require a Bill of Sale for private party car sales and some do not, however the form is useful to record the details of the transaction for future reference even when it’s not required.
Do I need a Bill of Sale to donate a car ?
No. When you donate your car to charity, the donation organizer will handle all of the necessary paperwork to complete the transfer of ownership, however you must still submit a release of liability to the DMV.
