In short
A car bill of sale is a written record of an automobile sale showing the buyer, seller, car details (year, make, model, VIN), odometer, price, and date.
What is a car bill of sale?
A car bill of sale is the everyday term for a vehicle bill of sale used when selling or buying an automobile in a private sale. It records the car’s description, the price, the mileage, and the names and signatures of both parties.
It is the document most buyers bring to the DMV (along with the signed title) to register a used car and pay the correct amount of sales tax based on the price you actually paid.
When do you need one?
Use a car bill of sale in situations like these:
- Buying or selling a used car between two private parties.
- Proving what you paid so sales tax is calculated on the real price.
- Selling a car "as-is" with no warranty.
- Gifting a car to a relative.
What information goes on a car bill of sale?
A complete car bill of sale should include all of the following. Our generator collects each one and flags anything you miss:
- Buyer and seller full legal names and addresses
- Year, make, model, and color of the car
- 17-character VIN
- Odometer reading at the time of sale
- Agreed price and how it was paid
- Date and both signatures
How to write a car bill of sale
- 1 Open the car bill of sale generator
Start the free generator with the Car Bill of Sale type already selected and choose the state where the sale takes place.
- 2 Enter the seller, buyer, and item details
Add full legal names and addresses, then describe the car — the live preview builds the document as you type.
- 3 Add the price and terms
Record the agreed price (or mark it as a gift), the payment method, and whether the sale is "as-is."
- 4 Check, sign, and download
Reach 100% on the completeness score, copy or download the document for free, then follow the signing checklist for your state.
Legal considerations
- The signed title transfers ownership; the car bill of sale documents the sale and the price.
- Always record the exact odometer reading — rounding or leaving it blank is a common DMV rejection cause.
- Use full legal names exactly as they appear on each person’s ID.
- Sign only after money has changed hands and the sale is final.
This page is general information, not legal advice. Read our disclaimer.
State-specific requirements
Vehicle-type documents are tied to state title law. The biggest difference between states is whether the transfer must be notarized. These states require a notarized title transfer for a private sale:
Several more states require notarization only in specific tax situations. Pick your state for the exact rule, the official form, and what to bring to the DMV:
Car Bill of Sale — FAQ
How do I write a bill of sale for a car?
List the buyer and seller, describe the car (year, make, model, VIN, color), record the odometer and the price, add the date, and have both parties sign. Our generator builds all of this for you and checks for missing details.
Can I sell a car without a bill of sale?
In some states you can transfer with just the signed title, but a bill of sale is strongly recommended everywhere because it documents the price, the mileage, and the date you stopped being responsible for the car.
Do both the buyer and seller need to sign a car bill of sale?
Yes. Both parties should sign and date the document. Some states also ask for the price and odometer to be entered in specific places — our tool handles that.
Should I notarize a car bill of sale?
Only if your state requires it. Louisiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, and Kentucky require notarization of the title transfer for private sales; most other states do not.
Is a bill of sale proof of ownership?
Generally no. For titled property like a car or boat, the title is what proves ownership. A bill of sale proves that a sale happened and records the price, date, and terms — it supports the title transfer but does not replace it. For untitled property (furniture, equipment, electronics), the signed bill of sale is usually the main proof of ownership.
Can a bill of sale be handwritten?
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.