A car bill of sale template is a legal document confirming a car purchase and sale deal in which the main parties are a seller and a buyer. This legal document helps the parties transfer the title ownership without legal complications. Fill out the bill of sale for a car from Loio and download it in PDF.
An auto bill of sale records the purchase of a vehicle by one person from another. It shows that the seller has given the car to the buyer, and the latter has paid for it. This document includes basic details of the deal, such as the names of both parties, the information about the vehicle, the price, and the date.
When Do I Need a Car Bill of Sale?
A bill of sale for car PDF is required if you:
Sell your used car to another person;
Buy a car from a private seller;
Give your car to someone as a gift;
Donate a car to a charity or family member;
Register a newly purchased vehicle with the DMV;
Prove ownership change for liability or tax purposes.
Why Do I Need a Bill of Sale for a Car?
A car bill of sale helps protect both the buyer and the seller in case any disputes occur. Here’s why it’s important:
Proof of the sale: It’s written evidence that the car now belongs to the buyer.
Avoiding future problems: It proves the seller no longer owns the car, so they can’t be blamed for tickets, accidents, or other issues after the sale.
Required for registration: In many states, the buyer needs an automobile bill of sale to register the car in their name.
Clarifies the terms: It includes important information like the price, the condition of the car, and if it’s sold “as-is,” meaning the buyer takes the car in its current state.
How Do I Write a Bill of Sale for a Car?
If you are buying or selling a car, consider these steps for writing a printable car bill of sale template:
Write the full name, address, and contact details for both the seller and buyer.
Add the vehicle details: make (e.g., Toyota), model (e.g., Camry), year, Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), color, and mileage.
Provide the purchase details, such as the total sale price and payment method (cash, check, money transfer, etc.).
Specify the sale date.
Describe the condition of the car: whether it is being sold “as-is” or with a warranty or guarantee.
Confirm the vehicle transfer.
Write which state’s law will apply to the bill of sale for car.
Sign the document and add the date of the deal.
Should My Bill of Sale for a Car Be Notarized?
Some states, like Louisiana, Maryland, Montana, Nebraska, West Virginia, and Wyoming, require the notarization of the sample bill of sale for car to be legally valid. In other places, a signature from both the buyer and seller is enough to complete the transaction.
Even if it’s not a legal requirement in your state, having the bill of sale template for car signed in front of a notary can provide extra protection and help prevent disputes later. To be sure, it’s best to check with your local DMV before finalizing the sale.
What State Laws Regulate the Car Bill of Sale?
When you privately purchase or sell a vehicle, some states require a bill of sale for cars for the transaction to be valid. The majority of states do not require this agreement to be notarized. However, some do require a notary to witness the signing of the car bill of sale for it to become legally binding.
State Law
Alabama
Bill of Sale is required to validate private purchase & sale deals.
Notarized Bill of Sale is NOT required.
State Law
Alaska
Bill of Sale is NOT required to validate private purchase & sale deals.
Notarized Bill of Sale is NOT required.
State Law
Arizona
Bill of Sale is NOT required to validate private purchase & sale deals.
Notarized Bill of Sale is NOT required.
State Law
Arkansas
Bill of Sale is NOT required to validate private purchase & sale deals.
Notarized Bill of Sale is NOT required.
State Law
California
Bill of Sale is required to validate private purchase & sale deals.
Notarized Bill of Sale is NOT required.
State Law
Colorado
Bill of Sale is required to validate private purchase & sale deals.
Notarized Bill of Sale is NOT required.
State Law
Connecticut
Bill of Sale is required to validate private purchase & sale deals.
Notarized Bill of Sale is NOT required.
State Law
Delaware
Bill of Sale is NOT required to validate private purchase & sale deals.
Notarized Bill of Sale is NOT required.
State Law
Florida
Bill of Sale is required to validate private purchase & sale deals.
Notarized Bill of Sale is NOT required.
State Law
Georgia
Bill of Sale is required to validate private purchase & sale deals.
Notarized Bill of Sale is NOT required.
State Law
Hawaii
Bill of Sale is NOT required to validate private purchase & sale deals.
Notarized Bill of Sale is NOT required.
State Law
Idaho
Bill of Sale is required to validate private purchase & sale deals.
Notarized Bill of Sale is NOT required.
State Law
Illinois
Bill of Sale is required to validate private purchase & sale deals in specific cases.
Notarized Bill of Sale is NOT required.
State Law
Indiana
Bill of Sale is NOT required to validate private purchase & sale deals.
Notarized Bill of Sale is NOT required.
State Law
Iowa
Bill of Sale is required to validate private purchase & sale deals.
Notarized Bill of Sale is NOT required.
State Law
Kansas
Bill of Sale is required to validate private purchase & sale deals in specific cases.
Notarized Bill of Sale is NOT required.
State Law
Kentucky
Bill of Sale is NOT required to validate private purchase & sale deals.
Notarized Bill of Sale is NOT required.
State Law
Louisiana
Bill of Sale is required to validate private purchase & sale deals in specific cases.
Notarized Bill of Sale is NOT required.
State Law
Maine
Bill of Sale is required to validate private purchase & sale deals.
Notarized Bill of Sale is NOT required.
State Law
Maryland
Bill of Sale is required to validate private purchase & sale deals.
Notarized Bill of Sale is required in specific cases.
State Law
Massachusetts
Bill of Sale is NOT required to validate private purchase & sale deals.
Notarized Bill of Sale is NOT required.
State Law
Michigan
Bill of Sale is NOT required to validate private purchase & sale deals.
Notarized Bill of Sale is NOT required.
State Law
Minnesota
Bill of Sale is NOT required to validate private purchase & sale deals.
Notarized Bill of Sale is NOT required.
State Law
Mississippi
Bill of Sale is required to validate private purchase & sale deals in specific cases.
Notarized Bill of Sale is NOT required.
State Law
Missouri
Bill of Sale is required to validate private purchase & sale deals in specific cases.
Notarized Bill of Sale is NOT required.
State Law
Montana
Bill of Sale is NOT required to validate private purchase & sale deals.
Notarized Bill of Sale is NOT required.
State Law
Nebraska
Bill of Sale is required to validate private purchase & sale deals.
Notarized Bill of Sale is required.
State Law
Nevada
Bill of Sale is required to validate private purchase & sale deals.
Notarized Bill of Sale is NOT required.
State Law
New Hampshire
Bill of Sale is required to validate private purchase & sale deals in specific cases.
Notarized Bill of Sale is required.
State Law
New Jersey
Bill of Sale is required to validate private purchase & sale deals.
Notarized Bill of Sale is NOT required.
State Law
New Mexico
Bill of Sale is required to validate private purchase & sale deals in specific cases.
Notarized Bill of Sale is required.
State Law
New York
Bill of Sale is required to validate private purchase & sale deals.
Notarized Bill of Sale is NOT required.
State Law
North Carolina
Bill of Sale is NOT required to validate private purchase & sale deals.
Notarized Bill of Sale is NOT required.
State Law
North Dakota
Bill of Sale is NOT required to validate private purchase & sale deals.
Notarized Bill of Sale is NOT required.
State Law
Ohio
Bill of Sale is NOT required to validate private purchase & sale deals.
Notarized Bill of Sale is NOT required.
State Law
Oklahoma
Bill of Sale is NOT required to validate private purchase & sale deals.
Notarized Bill of Sale is NOT required.
State Law
Oregon
Bill of Sale is required to validate private purchase & sale deals in specific cases.
Notarized Bill of Sale is NOT required.
State
Pennsylvania
Bill of Sale is NOT required to validate private purchase & sale deals.
Notarized Bill of Sale is NOT required.
State Law
Rhode Island
Bill of Sale is required to validate private purchase & sale deals.
Notarized Bill of Sale is NOT required.
State Law
South Carolina
Bill of Sale is required to validate private purchase & sale deals in specific cases.
Notarized Bill of Sale is NOT required.
State Law
South Dakota
Bill of Sale is NOT required to validate private purchase & sale deals.
Notarized Bill of Sale is NOT required.
State Law
Tennessee
Bill of Sale is NOT required to validate private purchase & sale deals.
Notarized Bill of Sale is NOT required.
State Law
Texas
Bill of Sale is NOT required to validate private purchase & sale deals.
Notarized Bill of Sale is NOT required.
State Law
Utah
Bill of Sale is NOT required to validate private purchase & sale deals.
Notarized Bill of Sale is NOT required.
State Law
Vermont
Bill of Sale is required to validate private purchase & sale deals.
Notarized Bill of Sale is NOT required.
State Law
Virginia
Bill of Sale is required to validate private purchase & sale deals.
Notarized Bill of Sale is NOT required.
State Law
Washington
Bill of Sale is required to validate private purchase & sale deals.
Notarized Bill of Sale is NOT required.
State Law
West Virginia
Bill of Sale is required to validate private purchase & sale deals in specific cases.
Notarized Bill of Sale is NOT required.
State Law
Wisconsin
Bill of Sale is NOT required to validate private purchase & sale deals.
Notarized Bill of Sale is NOT required.
State Law
Wyoming
Bill of Sale is required to validate private purchase & sale deals in specific cases.