What is a bill of sale?
A bill of sale is a signed record that ownership of property — a car, a boat, a trailer, a lawn mower — transferred from a seller to a buyer on a specific date for a specific price. For the seller, it is proof the property left their hands (useful if the new owner racks up parking tickets or tolls). For the buyer, it is proof of purchase for registration, titling, and tax purposes.
What should it include?
- Both parties: full legal names and addresses of buyer and seller.
- The property: for vehicles, the year, make, model, VIN, and odometer reading; for boats, the hull ID (HIN).
- The price and date: the amount paid, how it was paid, and when.
- Condition terms: most private sales are "as-is" — the document should say so plainly.
- Signatures: both parties sign; some states also want notarization or witnesses for vehicle transfers.
Does it need to be notarized?
It depends on your state and what you're selling. Most private-party sales don't require it, but a few states require notarized bills of sale for motor vehicles. Check your state DMV's website before you sign — and if you need it, toggle on the notary block above and sign in front of a notary instead of at the kitchen table.
Why PlainBill?
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