Bill of Sale Templates & Forms

A title is the official certificate of ownership for a vehicle or boat, issued by the state. A bill of sale is a private record of the sale itself — who sold it, who bought it, for how much, and when. The title transfers ownership; the bill of sale documents the transaction and supports registration.

No. A receipt simply proves that payment was made. A bill of sale is more complete: it identifies the item, the buyer and seller, the price, the date, the condition, and any terms such as "as-is," and it is signed by both parties — making it far stronger proof if a dispute arises.

Yes. A handwritten bill of sale is legal as long as it includes the required details — the parties, a description of the item, the price, the date, and both signatures. Using a structured template simply makes sure nothing important is left out.

In most states, no. For a private vehicle sale, only a handful of states require the title transfer to be notarized: Louisiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, and Kentucky. A few others (such as Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, and Oklahoma) require notarization only in specific tax situations. For most personal property, notarization is never required.