A free, state-specific motor vehicle bill of sale for every US state. Each template opens in Google Docs — fill it out online and print it, or print it blank and complete it by hand. No download, no account, no watermark.
Every template includes a notice block at the top with your state’s exact filing deadline, tax rules, required forms, and notarization requirements.
On this page:
- Choose Your State
- What Is a Motor Vehicle Bill of Sale?
- How to Use These Templates
- Key Things to Get Right
- Frequently Asked Questions
- How to Fill Out a Motor Vehicle Bill of Sale
Choose Your State
| State | Notable Requirement | Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Standard private sale | 20 days |
| Alaska | Borough/Census Area instead of County | 30 days |
| Arizona | AZ MVD; bill of sale recommended | 15 days |
| Arkansas | Revenue Office; 6.5% sales tax | 30 days |
| California | Notice of Transfer required same day of sale | 10 days |
| Colorado | Form DR 2116 bill of sale; Form DR 2395 for title | 60 days |
| Connecticut | DMV; 6.35% sales tax | 60 days |
| Delaware | No sales tax; 5.25% document fee; DMV inspection required | 30 days |
| Florida | Form HSMV 82050 required; FLHSMV | 30 days |
| Georgia | County tag office; TAVT replaces sales tax | 7 days |
| Hawaii | County DMV; 4% use tax; safety inspection required | 30 days |
| Idaho | County assessor; seller files Release of Liability within 5 days | 30 days |
| Illinois | Secretary of State; Form RUT-50 required | 20 days |
| Indiana | BMV or MyBMV online; electronic titles available July 2025 | 45 days |
| Iowa | Bill of sale required by law since 2020 | 30 days |
| Kansas | County Treasurer; Form TR-312 required | 60 days |
| Kentucky | ⚠️ Seller’s title signature must be notarized | 15 days |
| Louisiana | ⚠️ Seller must sign title before a notary; Parish instead of County | 40 days |
| Maine | Municipal office or BMV; bill of sale required | Immediate |
| Maryland | ⚠️ Notarized bill of sale required for vehicles 7 years or newer | Immediate |
| Massachusetts | RMV; insurance agent stamp required on application | 10 days |
| Michigan | SOS; online title transfer available at michigan.gov/sos | 15 days |
| Minnesota | Deputy registrar; 6.875% Motor Vehicle Sales Tax | 10 days |
| Mississippi | ⚠️ Seller’s title signature must be notarized | 7 days |
| Missouri | Form 5049 Notice of Sale required; safety inspection required | 30 days |
| Montana | County Treasurer; no state sales tax | 30 days |
| Nebraska | Bill of sale required by law; open title is illegal | 30 days |
| Nevada | Form VP104 required; no sales tax on private sales | 30 days |
| New Hampshire | Town/City Clerk; no state sales tax | 20 days |
| New Jersey | ⚠️ Bill of sale must be notarized | 10 days |
| New Mexico | 4% Motor Vehicle Excise Tax; 90-day deadline | 90 days |
| New York | Form MV-912 bill of sale required; Form DTF-802 for tax | 30 days |
| North Carolina | ⚠️ Seller’s title signature and Form MVR-1 must be notarized | 28 days |
| North Dakota | ⚠️ Bill of Sale Form SFN 2888 must be notarized; 5-day deadline | 5 days |
| Ohio | ⚠️ Seller’s title signature must be notarized; County Clerk of Courts | 30 days |
| Oklahoma | ⚠️ All titles electronic as of July 2025; Form 718 must be notarized | 30 days |
| Oregon | Seller files Report of Sale within 10 days; no state sales tax | 30 days |
| Pennsylvania | Authorized PennDOT agent only; Form MV-4ST | Prompt |
| Rhode Island | Seller notifies DMV within 48 hours; 7% use tax | Prompt |
| South Carolina | Form 403-1 from SCDMV branch only — generic forms not accepted | 45 days |
| South Dakota | 4% excise tax; open title is illegal; Seller’s Permit required | 45 days |
| Tennessee | County Clerk; Form RV-F1317001 odometer disclosure required | 30 days |
| Texas | Vehicle Transfer Notification required at txdmv.gov; 6.25% SPV tax | 30 days |
| Utah | DMV or online via Utah Person to Person (UPP) | 60 days |
| Vermont | Tiered Purchase and Use Tax: 6%, 7%, or 9% depending on price | Prompt |
| Virginia | 4.15% SUT; electronic title transfer available online | 30 days |
| Washington | Report of Sale within 5 days required; $50 penalty from day 16 | 15 days |
| West Virginia | ⚠️ Notarized bill of sale required when price is below 50% of NADA value | 30 days |
| Wisconsin | Seller Notify at sellernotify.wi.gov required same day of sale | 30 days |
| Wyoming | ⚠️ Seller’s title signature must be notarized; VIN inspection required | Prompt |
⚠️ indicates a notarization requirement.
What Is a Motor Vehicle Bill of Sale?
A motor vehicle bill of sale is a written record of a private vehicle sale. It documents who sold the vehicle, who bought it, what was sold, for how much, and when — and it creates a paper trail both parties can rely on if a dispute ever arises.
It is not the same as a Certificate of Title. The title is the government document that transfers legal ownership. The bill of sale is the private contract that records the terms. You need both.
The bill of sale does three specific things:
1. Establishes the purchase price for tax purposes. Most states calculate sales tax, use tax, or excise tax based on the price declared on the bill of sale. The figure needs to be accurate — state agencies routinely cross-check against NADA and Kelley Blue Book values.
2. Sets the date of sale. Every state has a deadline — sometimes as short as 5 days — by which the buyer must register the vehicle. That clock starts on the date recorded in the bill of sale.
3. Protects the seller after the sale. Once you file a seller notification with your state (required in many states), the bill of sale proves the date you transferred the vehicle. Without it, you can be held responsible for tickets, tolls, and violations run up by the new owner.
How to Use These Templates
Option 1 — Fill out online, then print
Click your state’s link. The template opens in Google Docs. Go to File → Make a copy to save it to your own Google Drive. Fill in all fields, then print. Both parties sign the printed copy.
Option 2 — Print blank, fill by hand
Open the template and print it without editing. Both parties fill it in by hand at the time of signing. This works well when buyer and seller are meeting in person and want to complete the paperwork together on the spot.
Whichever method you use, print two copies and have both parties sign both — one for the seller’s files, one for the buyer’s.
Key Things to Get Right
1. The VIN
The Vehicle Identification Number is the most error-prone field in any vehicle bill of sale. A single transposed character will cause the state DMV to reject the title transfer application.
Before you write it down, verify the VIN character by character against the dashboard plate (visible through the windshield on the driver’s side) AND the existing Certificate of Title.
Note that the letters I, O, and Q are never used in VINs — if you see one, it is likely the number 1, 0, or another character.
2. Notarization
Nine states require notarization as a condition of the title transfer — not just a recommendation. The states marked ⚠️ in the table above have mandatory notarization requirements.
If you filled out the form online and printed it, bring the unsigned printed copy to the notary and sign there. Both parties must sign in the notary’s presence.
You can find notaries at most banks, UPS Store locations, county DMV offices, and through Remote Online Notarization (RON) services if your state permits them.
3. The Deadline
Every state sets a deadline by which the buyer must register the vehicle and complete the title transfer. The date of sale on the bill of sale starts that clock. North Dakota’s deadline is 5 days. New Mexico’s is 90 days. Most states are 15–30 days. Set a calendar reminder the same day you sign.
4. Open Titles
An open title is a Certificate of Title the seller has signed but left the buyer’s name blank. Open titles are illegal in most states and dangerous for buyers. If you are buying, never accept a title that is not signed over specifically to your name. If you are selling, never sign a blank title.
Frequently Asked Questions
In Iowa, Nebraska, Washington, and a handful of other states, yes — a bill of sale is legally required for every private vehicle transfer. In most other states it is strongly recommended even if technically optional. Without one you have no written record of the purchase price, no documented date of sale, and no protection if a dispute arises.
Yes. There is nothing special about the paper a bill of sale is printed on. What matters is that it contains the required information and carries the signatures of both parties. A completed and signed Google Docs printout is fully valid in every state.
It depends on your state. Notarization is legally required in Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Jersey, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, and Wyoming for some or all private vehicle transfers. In all other states it is optional but adds meaningful legal protection, especially for high-value sales.
Both parties should keep a signed copy. Print two copies and have both parties sign both. Some states also require you to submit a copy at the time of title transfer.
Proceed with caution. Most states require a Certificate of Title for all motor vehicles. If a title was never issued or has been lost, contact your state DMV — the process may involve a bonded title, an affidavit of ownership, or a court order. Never complete a significant purchase on a bill of sale alone when a title should exist.
Yes. These templates cover all titled motor vehicles — cars, trucks, SUVs, vans, motorcycles, and other road vehicles. They do not cover boats, trailers (which are typically processed separately), or off-road vehicles.
How to Fill Out a Motor Vehicle Bill of Sale
Need a field-by-field walkthrough of every section? See the complete guide: How to Fill Out a Motor Vehicle Bill of Sale →
This page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Motor vehicle transfer laws vary by state and are subject to change. Always verify current requirements with your state DMV or a licensed attorney.