How to fill out a vehicle bill of sale
What the buyer and seller each need, the VIN and odometer lines, and when your state wants its own form.
A bill of sale records a private vehicle sale: who sold it, who bought it, the vehicle, the date and the price. The buyer uses it with the signed title to register the car; the seller keeps it as proof they no longer own it. Some states, including Louisiana, Maryland and Nebraska, want their own form or a notarized signature.
Fields, in order.
- 01Seller and buyer
Full legal names and addresses, as on their IDs.
- 02VIN
The 17-character vehicle identification number from the dashboard, the driver's door frame or the title. Check it matches the title.
- 03Odometer
The mileage at the time of sale. Federal law requires an odometer disclosure for most vehicles under 20 years old; the title usually has a space for it too.
- 04Price and payment
The agreed price and how it was paid. Some states charge sales tax on this figure.
- 05As is
Private sales are usually as is. Write any warranty or promise in the terms box.
- 06Signatures
Seller and buyer. If your state requires a notary, sign in front of one.
Common mistakes.
The DMV rejects the registration. Copy it from the title and check it against the car.
The DMV may assess tax on a book value instead. Write the real price.
Many states want the seller to file a notice of transfer within days. Do it, or you may get the next owner's parking tickets.
Terms you will see.
Ask the document what any of them means. The answer cites the page.
Fill it, check it, sign it.
Fill it by asking
Drop the PDF, paste the facts, and the agent fills every matching field. Unmatched fields are listed so nothing is skipped.
Check it before you send
Empty required fields, a missing signature, a date that disagrees with another page. The document check lists them with page numbers.
Sign it and send it
Draw your signature and place it, free. Or send it to someone else to sign on their phone, with an audit certificate. Free, 25 a month.
Vehicle bill of sale,
answered.
This guide is general information, not legal or tax advice.
Can both of us sign from our phones?+
Yes. Fill it in, choose Request signatures and add the buyer; you each sign on your own phone and both get the signed copy.
Does it replace the title?+
No. The title transfers ownership; the bill of sale is the record of the sale. You usually need both.
Fill your Vehicle bill of sale in about ninety seconds.
Type into it, sign with your finger and send it back. No card needed.