About This Tool

Generate a professional bill of sale in minutes with our free bill of sale generator. This tool creates documents designed for common state requirements for cars, boats, motorcycles, RVs, and general property with automatic VIN validation, odometer disclosure fields, and state-specific guidance. No signup required, no watermarks, instant PDF download. A bill of sale documents the transfer of ownership and protects both buyer and seller by recording the transaction details, sale price, condition, and signatures.

What is a Bill of Sale?

A bill of sale is a legal document that transfers ownership of property from a seller to a buyer. It serves as proof that a transaction occurred and documents the terms of the sale. While a title proves ownership, a bill of sale proves the transfer happened.

Key purposes of a bill of sale:

• Legal proof of transaction: Documents that money exchanged hands and ownership transferred on a specific date
• DMV/title transfer requirement: Most states require a bill of sale to transfer a vehicle title
• Tax documentation: Proves the sale price for sales tax calculation and income reporting
• Liability protection: Protects the seller from liability after the sale (accidents, parking tickets, etc.)
• Warranty documentation: Records whether the item was sold as-is or with a warranty

For vehicles, the bill of sale is separate from the title. The title proves who owns the vehicle, while the bill of sale proves the transaction that transferred ownership. Both documents are typically required at the DMV when registering a newly purchased vehicle.

State-Specific Requirements

Bill of sale requirements vary by state. Some states have strict rules about notarization, witnesses, and specific language that must be included. Our tool automatically detects these requirements based on the seller's state:

States requiring notarization:

• Louisiana, Maryland, Montana, New Hampshire, Ohio, West Virginia

States requiring witnesses:

• Arizona (1 witness), Florida (2 witnesses)

Title transfer deadlines:

• Most states require title transfer within 30 days of sale
• Arizona requires 15 days, New Hampshire requires 10 days, Montana allows 60 days
• Late transfers may result in penalties or fines

Federal odometer disclosure: Federal law (49 CFR 580) requires odometer disclosure for vehicles less than 10 years old. This is automatically included in our generated documents when applicable.

Our tool shows state-specific warnings before you download, ensuring you complete all required steps for a legal transfer in your state.

Vehicle-Specific Guidance

Different types of vehicles have unique identification and documentation requirements:

Cars, Trucks, SUVs:

• 17-character VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) required
• Odometer disclosure mandatory for vehicles less than 10 years old
• Check for liens using the VIN before purchase (NMVTIS, Carfax)
• Verify VIN matches the title and vehicle dashboard/door jamb

Boats and Watercraft:

• 12-character HIN (Hull Identification Number) required
• Coast Guard documentation or state registration needed
• Check for marine liens through Coast Guard or state agencies
• Trailer may require separate bill of sale with its own VIN

Motorcycles and ATVs:

• 17-character VIN required (usually on frame neck)
• Many states require safety inspections before registration
• Off-road vehicles may have different titling requirements

RVs, Motorhomes, Trailers:

• May have separate VINs for chassis and living quarters
• Verify both chassis title and manufacturer's certificate of origin
• Check for outstanding loans on both components

As-Is vs. Warranty Sales

The condition clause in your bill of sale is critical and determines your legal protections:

"As-Is, Where-Is" Sales:

• Seller makes no guarantees about condition or functionality
• Buyer accepts all risk and cannot sue for defects discovered later
• Standard for used vehicle sales between private parties
• Buyer should inspect thoroughly or hire a mechanic before purchase
• Some states (e.g., Massachusetts) limit as-is sales or require safety inspections

Warranty Sales:

• Seller guarantees specific aspects of the item for a defined period
• Common warranties: 30-day powertrain, 90-day mechanical, 1-year limited
• Warranty terms must be clearly written in the bill of sale
• Seller remains liable for covered defects during warranty period

Lemon laws: In some states, implied warranties apply even to as-is sales if the seller knowingly concealed defects. Always disclose known issues to avoid legal liability.

For high-value purchases, consider having a mechanic inspect the vehicle and include an inspection report with the bill of sale.

Frequently Asked Questions