In short
A general bill of sale records the sale of any personal property — electronics, furniture, jewelry, or goods — documenting the item, condition, price, and both signatures.
What is a general bill of sale?
A general bill of sale (also called a personal-property bill of sale) documents the sale of almost any item that does not have its own specialized form — electronics, furniture, appliances, jewelry, collectibles, tools, and more.
It records a description of the item, its condition, the price, and the names and signatures of the buyer and seller. It is the right choice whenever you want a clean record of a sale but the item is not a titled vehicle or a regulated good.
When do you need one?
Use a general bill of sale in situations like these:
- Selling or buying personal property: electronics, furniture, appliances, jewelry, tools, collectibles.
- Documenting an "as-is" private sale of used goods.
- Creating a receipt and proof of ownership for a high-value item.
What information goes on a item bill of sale?
A complete general bill of sale should include all of the following. Our generator collects each one and flags anything you miss:
- Buyer and seller names and addresses
- A clear description of the item(s)
- Make, model, or serial number if applicable
- Condition and quantity
- Price, date, and signatures
How to write a general bill of sale
- 1 Open the item bill of sale generator
Start the free generator with the General 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 item — 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
- Describe the item clearly enough that it cannot be confused with another — include serial numbers where they exist.
- State whether the sale is "as-is" (no warranty) or includes any guarantee.
- For most personal property the bill of sale is the primary proof of the transaction.
This page is general information, not legal advice. Read our disclaimer.
State-specific requirements
Requirements for a general bill of sale vary less by state than vehicle documents, but local rules on registration, tax, and recording still differ. Choose your state for specifics:
General Bill of Sale — FAQ
What is a general bill of sale used for?
It documents the sale of any personal property that does not have its own form — electronics, furniture, jewelry, tools, collectibles, and similar items. It records the item, the price, and both parties.
Is a bill of sale the same as a receipt?
A receipt simply proves payment. 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.
Do both parties need to sign a general bill of sale?
Yes — both the buyer and seller should sign and date it. A signed document is far stronger proof than an unsigned receipt if a dispute arises.
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.
What does an "as-is" bill of sale mean?
An "as-is" bill of sale means the item is sold in its current condition with no warranties. The buyer accepts any faults, and the seller is not responsible for problems discovered after the sale. Most private used-item sales are "as-is."