Bill of Sale: Free Template + Generator for Personal Property
A Bill of Sale is a short legal document that records the transfer of personal property — anything that isn't real estate — from one person to another. Used for selling a car, boat, motorcycle, equipment, livestock, or other tangible items between private parties. This guide explains when you need one, what to include, and provides a free interactive generator at the bottom.
When you need a Bill of Sale
- Selling or buying a vehicle privately. Many states REQUIRE a bill of sale for vehicle title transfers; even those that don't strictly require it accept one as proof of the sale terms.
- Selling or buying a boat, ATV, RV, motorcycle, or trailer. Same as vehicles — titled items where the state needs documentation.
- Selling expensive equipment — tractors, generators, industrial machinery — between private parties.
- Transferring ownership of livestock or other valuable animals.
- Selling art, collectibles, or memorabilia where provenance matters.
- Any time the dollar amount is enough that you want a paper trail — for tax reporting, insurance claims, or to defend against later "I never sold you that" disputes.
When you DON'T need a Bill of Sale
- Real estate transfers. Use a deed instead — quitclaim, grant, or warranty. (See our deed comparison.)
- Inheritance. Probate or beneficiary designations handle this.
- Gifts where no money changes hands and there's no need to document the transfer for insurance, tax, or registration purposes.
- Items low-value enough that the documentation overhead isn't worth it. Selling a $50 chair to your neighbor: skip it.
What goes in a Bill of Sale
- The date of the sale.
- Seller's full legal name and address.
- Buyer's full legal name and address.
- A detailed description of the item. For vehicles: year, make, model, VIN, mileage, color. For other items: enough specifics to identify the exact item being sold.
- The purchase price, ideally in both numerals and words ("$5,000.00 (five thousand dollars)").
- A warranty clause — typically "as-is" for private sales, meaning the seller doesn't guarantee the item's condition.
- The seller's representation that they own the item and have the right to sell it (defeats claims of theft or fraud).
- Signatures of both parties (some states also require notarization for vehicles).
Common questions
Do I need a Bill of Sale to be notarized? Depends on the state and the item. For vehicles, states like Louisiana, Maryland, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, West Virginia, and Wyoming require notarization. Most states don't. Notarizing is cheap insurance against later disputes either way.
Does a Bill of Sale transfer legal title? For untitled items (general personal property, art, collectibles), yes — the Bill of Sale itself is the documentation of ownership. For TITLED items (vehicles, boats, trailers, mobile homes), no — you also need to process the title transfer through the state DMV or equivalent agency. The Bill of Sale supports that process; it doesn't replace it.
What if I'm selling AS-IS? Include explicit AS-IS language: "Seller makes no warranties or representations regarding the condition, quality, or fitness of the Property; Buyer accepts the Property in its present condition." The generator below offers both AS-IS and limited-warranty options.
What about sales tax? Buyer typically owes use tax to their state when registering vehicles or other titled items based on the sale price. The Bill of Sale documents the price the state uses for tax calculation.
Free Bill of Sale generator
Fill in the fields below and download a Bill of Sale PDF you can sign and use immediately. Free, no email required.
This generator produces a general-purpose Bill of Sale. State requirements vary — some states require notarization for vehicle sales, some have specific forms for boats or mobile homes. Verify your state's requirements with your DMV or equivalent agency. This is not legal advice; consult an attorney for complex transactions.