Car Bill of Sale Template: What to Include Before You Buy or Sell
A car bill of sale is a written record of the vehicle transaction. It documents the sale price, VIN, date, and both parties' information. Some states require it by law; most recommend it regardless. Even a simple one-page document — handwritten or typed — protects both buyer and seller if there's a dispute later.
Quick answer
A complete car bill of sale should include:
- ✓ Seller's full name and address
- ✓ Buyer's full name and address
- ✓ Vehicle VIN, year, make, model
- ✓ Sale price and date
- ✓ Odometer reading
- ✓ Signatures from both parties
Requirements vary by state — some have official forms, some require notarization on the title, and some require a bill of sale for the DMV. Use the state links below for exact requirements.
What is a car bill of sale?
A car bill of sale is a written document that records the transfer of a vehicle between two private parties. It covers who sold what, to whom, for how much, and when. Unlike the title — which is the legal document proving ownership — a bill of sale is primarily a receipt and transaction record.
Many states use the bill of sale to calculate sales tax on the purchase price. If the price on the bill of sale seems unrealistically low, some state DMVs will calculate tax based on the vehicle's book value instead.
What should a car bill of sale include?
These are the fields that every vehicle bill of sale should include. Missing any of them creates gaps that can cause problems at the DMV or in a dispute.
Seller information
Full legal name and current address. Should match the seller's name on the title exactly.
Buyer information
Full legal name and current address. This is the name that will appear on the new title.
Vehicle identification number (VIN)
The 17-character VIN found on the dashboard (driver's side, visible through the windshield), the door jamb sticker, and the title. All three should match.
Vehicle year, make, model, and body type
Year (e.g. 2019), make (e.g. Toyota), model (e.g. Camry), and body style (e.g. 4-door sedan). Color is useful to include but not always required.
Sale price
The agreed purchase price in US dollars. This is used to calculate sales or use tax in most states. Write it out numerically and in words if possible.
Sale date
The date the vehicle physically changed hands (or the date both parties signed). This is the date that triggers the state title transfer deadline.
Odometer reading
The mileage shown on the odometer at the time of sale. Federal law requires odometer disclosure for vehicles under 10 years old and under 16,000 lbs — usually completed on the title, but including it in the bill of sale as well is good practice.
Signatures
Both buyer and seller should sign and date the document. Some states require both signatures; at minimum, the seller should sign.
Optional fields worth including
As-is clause
Language stating the vehicle is sold 'as-is' with no warranties expressed or implied. Recommended for all private sales to prevent post-sale disputes about vehicle condition.
Payment method
Cash, cashier's check, personal check. Useful if there's a dispute about whether payment was received.
Lienholder information
If the vehicle had a loan and a lien release is being provided simultaneously, noting this on the bill of sale can help document the transaction.
Witness signatures
Not required in most states, but adds an extra layer of protection for both parties.
As-is language
Private vehicle sales in the US are almost always sold "as-is" — meaning the buyer accepts the vehicle in its current condition with no implied warranty from the seller. Including explicit as-is language in the bill of sale protects sellers from post-sale claims about mechanical problems or undisclosed issues.
Adding this phrase doesn't eliminate all liability — sellers still can't conceal known defects in most states — but it removes implied warranty protection that would otherwise apply.
When notarization is needed
Most states do not require notarization on the bill of sale itself. However, 9 states require notarized signatures on the vehicle title:
If you're in one of these states, you'll need both parties to sign the title in front of a notary — not just the bill of sale. The bill of sale itself usually doesn't require notarization even in these states, but confirm with your state DMV.
State-specific bill of sale requirements
Some states require a bill of sale; some have official forms. See the full breakdown across all 50 states:
Bill of sale requirements — all 50 states →Create a bill of sale for your state
These state-specific generators produce a bill of sale with the fields required or recommended in that state — including conditional fields like notary sections, smog certificate notes, and state-specific disclosures.
Related guides
Frequently asked questions
What is a car bill of sale?
A car bill of sale is a written document recording the transfer of a vehicle from seller to buyer. It documents the VIN, sale price, date, and both parties' information. It serves as proof of purchase and is used to calculate sales tax in many states.
Is a bill of sale required to sell a car?
Some states legally require it for private vehicle sales; most recommend it but don't require it. Even where optional, a bill of sale protects both parties from disputes over sale price, vehicle condition, and ownership.
What should a car bill of sale include?
A complete bill of sale includes: seller and buyer names and addresses, vehicle VIN, year, make, model, sale price, date, odometer reading, as-is language, and both parties' signatures. Some states require additional fields.
Does a car bill of sale need to be notarized?
Most states don't require notarization on the bill of sale. However, 9 states require notarized signatures on the title itself: Louisiana, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, and Oklahoma.
Can I write a car bill of sale by hand?
Yes. A handwritten bill of sale is valid as long as it contains all required information. However, if your state has an official form, using it is recommended — it ensures you include all state-required fields.
Create a bill of sale for your state
State-specific generators with the right fields and official source links.
Bill of sale by state →Last reviewed: 2026-05-13 · Reviewed by the Car Paperwork editorial team · Independent resource · Not legal advice