How to Create a Bill of Sale for a Vehicle

Creating a bill of sale

When selling a vehicle of any kind (car, truck, boat, etc.) there is a great deal of paperwork involved. One of the most important pieces is a bill of sale. A legal document that transfers ownership of property from the seller to the buyer, a bill of sale contains pertinent information that will be needed at motor vehicle bureaus when the ownership title is transferred. The information requested on the document is key, so whether you are drawing one up by hand or filling in a pre-printed form, be sure the following information is listed.

Things You'll Need

• Pre-printed blank Bill of Sale form or paper for creating your own document

Instructions

Bill of Sale

1. 

   Put the contact information for both the buyer and seller in the first section of the bill of sale. With your blank paper in front of you (or in a word program on your computer) go to the top left portion of the page. In bold letters, designate a column that says "Seller's information." This info includes name, address, phone number and social security number. Directly across the sheet in the top right corner (or underneath) in bold letters, make a column for "Buyer's information." Include name, address, phone number and social security number.

2. 

   Put a section titled "Vehicle Information" below the "Seller/Buyer" information. This needs to include the make, model, year, color, VIN number and often the weight of the vehicle. The odometer reading should also be included here. It is wise to include the odometer reading even if the vehicle is more than 10 years old. Vehicle bureaus have different requirements and you can check your local bureau's policies, but for your own information and protection the mileage should be included.

3. 

   Go down below the "Vehicle Information" section and designate one called "Payment Details." This will list the purchase price, method of payment and any payment arrangement details. This is also a good area to list anything that should be noted, such as the condition of the vehicle or if there are any repairs that the buyer or seller need to pay for. All of this should be included on this document for your protection and reference.

4. 

   Put a section below "Payment Details" called "Signatures." The signatures should have the buyer and seller's names printed underneath them. The names and signatures of at least one witness should appear here also, but is not often a requirement. Again, check with your local motor vehicle bureau to see if it is required. After each signature, include the date of the signing.

Tips & Warnings

• Make a copy of the Bill of Sale so one can remain with the seller.

• Be sure all pertinent information and signatures are included before going to the motor vehicle bureau to change the ownership title, as one item omitted will be reason for a return trip.

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish
• Sample of Bill of Sale to print
• Link to state DMV requirements for buying/selling a vehicle