Bill of Sale Forms by State
What Is a Bill of Sale?
A Bill of Sale is a document needed to formalize a legitimate sale or transfer of personal property. It resembles a receipt that includes information about both parties of the transaction. It also proves that the property rights have been transferred from seller to buyer, thus, it protects both parties in case of a disagreement.
The document is also known as:
- Sales Slip;
- Sales Receipt;
- Proof of Purchase;
- Proof of Payment;
- Proof of Sale.
There exist a number of different types of Bill of Sale that reflect the conditions of the deal. Bills of Sale can be absolute, conditional, quitclaim, or warranty.
Where Can I Get a Bill of Sale?
Depending on your needs and the type of transaction, you may either visit your local Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) or go to a tax assessor's or collector's office in your state. If the purchase is performed through a licensed dealer, all the paperwork is to be handled by the dealer. You may also wish to ask an attorney to prepare an official bill of sale for you.
In other cases, writing your own document can be an option. Select your state or a specific type of transaction from the options below or create your own bill of sale template designed for any and every purpose you may have :
Generic Bill of Sale
These forms may be used to document the transfer of any type of property to a new owner, as long as the seller's state of legal residence does not have laws that declare otherwise.
Vehicle Bill of Sale
A Car or Motor Vehicle Bill of Sale is a legal document used to transfer the ownership of a vehicle from one party to another. Depending on the state, this document may be required or not.
The form itself may also vary from state to state with some states providing specific department-issued forms that are to be used. Most vehicle sale receipts include the type of vehicle, the model, make, odometer reading, identification number and year, as well as the seller’s and buyer’s information, the date and price of the purchase and the parties’ signatures.
Boat Bill of Sale
A Boat or Watercraft Bill of Sale is used to legally record the transfer of watercraft from a seller to a buyer. The form mostly contains information similar to that required by the other sales receipts along with the price and description of the boat being sold, its hull identification number (HIN), the date of sale, and information on both participating parties.
The requirements, however, might differ depending on the state. In most states, registration of the boat is required shortly after the transaction. Depending on your state of residence, you might also need to pay a sales tax.
Firearm Bill of Sale
A Rifle or Gun Bill of Sale is a document that describes a sale of a firearm to a customer in writing. Additional names for the form include a firearm sale receipt, a firearm purchase agreement, and a firearm sale contract. You are not obligated to have a sales receipt while purchasing or selling a gun, however, it is wise to have one to protect yourself from any legal or criminal issues that might arise.
Livestock Bill of Sale
A Livestock Bill of Sale is a legally-binding form used to document the transfer of ownership of farm animals (i.e.: cows, pigs, horses, chickens, hens, etc.).
How to Make a Bill of Sale?
We have prepared a list with all the information you have to include in your form, as well as some before-printing tips for those wondering how to write a Bill of Sale. Don’t forget to include the following information:
- Seller's name and address;
- Buyer's name and address;
- A detailed description of the item you are about to sell as well as legal information - such as serial numbers, identification numbers, etc.;
- Information on the location of the transaction;
- Transaction date;
- History of ownership;
- Warranty;
- Amount of sale;
- Agreements related to the payment method;
- Sales tax information.
Don’t forget to check your form before printing:
- Check that all the information you include is legit.
- Make sure there is a place for signatures: the buyer’s, the seller’s, and the witness’s (if there is one).
- Make copies of the paperwork for both parties.
What Is the Difference Between a Bill of Sale and a Title?
It is important to understand the difference between these two documents. Bills of sale exist in Сommon law independently of legislation. Being a simple document, it does not prove the ownership itself, but serves mostly as a record of the property transaction and has information on when and where the transaction took place. The form does not have the same legal force as a title does, but it is still useful evidence of the details, conditions, and the fact of the transaction itself.
A title transfer, however, is a document that officially notifies the governing state not only about the act of transferring of an item from one party to another but also about granting the buyer the ownership status.
Who Can Sign a Bill of Sale?
It is always a good idea to use the form when purchasing an item in order to protect your legal rights. Both parties of the deal are to sign this contract so that it has a legal force. The participants must read the paperwork thoroughly before signing it.
In some states, a notary is required to witness the act of signing the document. Even though in some states a witness is optional, it is a good idea to get one. This will prove the authenticity of the document if any disputes arise in the future.
Check out these related tags and templates:
Documents:
473
An individual may use this legally binding document to acknowledge the fact of putting a down payment for a vehicle, prior to the full payment during the sale and purchase of a car.
PDF 
Word
This document is a template for creating an invoice for selling a car in the United Kingdom. It includes all necessary details for a car sale transaction.
Get this official Tennessee Bill of Sale that allows a seller and a purchaser to exchange a certain amount of money for a motor vehicle. This form is required for legal registration and operation of a vehicle in the state.
This type of document is a template for a vehicle bill of sale specific to the Northern Mariana Islands. It is used to legally transfer ownership of a vehicle in this region.
This is an official state form you must complete when selling or buying a boat in the state of Kansas. It contains important information about the seller, the buyer, and the boat you purchase, as well as the details of the transaction.
Use this form to document the details of a motor vehicle. These details include the vehicle's odometer mileage, title, and other important information required to sell a vehicle in Georgia. This document can be used as proof of sale, as it is a legal agreement between the buyer and the seller.
This Form is used for transferring ownership of a motor vehicle or automobile in Guilford County, North Carolina.
Download this Bill of Sale to protect yourself from legal issues if they arise in the future and to have a record of your transaction. You can use it for a legal transfer of any firearm, i.e. rifles, pistols, and others.
Get this official Utah Bill of Sale that allows a seller and purchaser to exchange a certain amount of money for a motor vehicle. This document is suitable for the sale or purchase of a car, motorcycle, truck, snowmobile or boat in the state.
Use this official state-issued form to record the transfer of a watercraft and motor from a seller to a buyer. This document supports the fact of the sale and provides basic details of the deal. This document was released by the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries.
This Form is used for transferring ownership of a vehicle or equipment in the state of Colorado. It includes information about the buyer, seller, and the vehicle/equipment being sold.
This document is used for selling or transferring ownership of a mobile home in Citrus County, Florida.
This document is used to record the sale of a vehicle in Sweetwater County, Wyoming, and needs to be notarized.
This document is a record of a sold vehicle in the state of Arkansas. It shows important information about the sale of the vehicle and the parties of the deal. Use this form during the transfer of ownership of your vehicle and as proof of purchase.
This printable form is used to record the sale of a vehicle in the state of Louisiana.
This document is used for transferring ownership of a vessel (boat) in Citrus County, Florida. It serves as a legal proof of the sale and provides details about the buyer, seller, and the vessel being sold.
This Arkansas Vehicle Bill of Sale is an agreement between the seller and the buyer that records the sale or transfer of a vehicle (used motor vehicles, trailers, and semi-trailers) from one party to the other.
This Form is used for transferring ownership of a vehicle in Canada. It includes important details of the sale such as the buyer and seller's information, vehicle description, and purchase price.
This form is a legal document used in the state and known as a South Dakota Vehicle Bill of Sale. You may use it if you wish to sell a motor vehicle, trailer, or boat. It is required for legal registration and operation of a vehicle in the state.
This document is used in Saskatchewan, Canada for transferring ownership of a personal property through a sale or a gift. It serves as legal proof of the transaction and the transfer of ownership.
Form SUT 1, Vehicle Price Certification, also referred to as the Virginia Vehicle Bill of Sale, is a document used for documenting the sale of vehicles that are more than five years old.
This document is a handgun bill of sale specifically designed for co-ownership arrangements in Wyoming County, New York. It is used to legally transfer ownership of a handgun between two individuals who share ownership of the firearm.
This form is used for reporting the casual or isolated sale of a vessel or boat in the state of Tennessee.
This document is used for transferring ownership of a firearm in Monroe County, New York.
This document is used for transferring ownership of a motor vehicle in the Philippines.
This Form is used for selling or transferring ownership of a vehicle in Madison County, Alabama.
Another name for this document is the Hawaii Motorcycle Bill of Sale Form. Use this form in order to document the transfer of a bicycle or moped from a seller to a buyer. This document has important information used to identify the seller, the buyer, and the sold item.
This document is used to officially transfer ownership of a watercraft in Barton County, Kansas. It ensures that both the buyer and seller have a record of the sale and includes important details about the watercraft, such as the make, model, and hull number.
Fill out this form if you wish to buy or sell a boat in the state of North Carolina. It allows you to record important details pertinent to the watercraft transfer. The document is accepted by all government bodies in North Carolina as proof of sale.
This Form is used for selling a junk vehicle in the state of Illinois. It serves as a legally binding document between the buyer and seller.
This legal document is also known as the Hawaii Vehicle Bill of Sale Form. Download it if you need to sell or buy a vehicle in the state of Hawaii. The form documents your purchase, serves as legal proof of the deal, and is accepted by any official agency.
This document is used for transferring ownership of a motor vehicle in Hancock County, Tennessee.
Use this document if you need to buy or sell a vehicle, mobile home or a vessel in the state of Florida. This form serves both as a bill of sale and notice of sale and is required during the vehicle's registration. It is an important document for the seller and the buyer.
This document is used for recording the sale of a vessel or trailer in Lee County, Florida. It includes details of the buyer, seller, and the vessel/trailer being sold.
This form is used for sellers in Illinois to report a sale.
This is the official state form you must complete when selling or buying a vehicle or boat in the state of Massachusetts. It is issued by the Massachusetts Division of Law Enforcement and contains important information about the seller, buyer, and the vehicle or boat you are purchasing, as well as details of the transaction.
Download this official form to fill it out every time you buy or sell a watercraft in the state of Colorado. It is a legally binding agreement that constitutes a proof of payment during the boat transfer.
This Form is used for recording the sale of firearms in California. It is a worksheet that dealers use to keep track of the necessary information required for the Dealer's Record of Sale (DROS) process.
This document is used for transferring ownership of a motor vehicle in Limestone County, Alabama.
This is a legal form used during the sale or purchase of a watercraft. It is an important document you will need to record the transfer of ownership and make your transaction legitimate.
