Free Bill of Sale Templates

Depending on your state, you may need a bill of sale to complete a transaction (especially vehicle sales). Even if it’s not mandatory for your deal, you can still benefit from having a state-specific form to clarify the nature of your transaction. Explore our state-specific templates below.

A bill of sale is a legal document showing that an item’s sale occurred. It proves that the item’s ownership went from the seller to the buyer.

With a bill of sale, you can prove that the buyer now owns the item, preventing disputes. It can also help you register an item (like a vehicle) and handle tax filing. Plus, some states require a bill of sale for certain transactions, so it’s a good way to make sure you’re following the rules.

A bill of sale should contain the following details to make it comprehensive:

• Item description
• Vehicle Identification Number (if it’s a vehicle sale)
• Sale price
• Sale terms
• Location and date of sale
• Parties’ signatures
• Warranty, conditions, and other terms

Is a Bill of Sale Enough for My Needs?

If you’re dealing with more complex transactions, a bill of sale may not be the only document you need. For example, a more detailed sales agreement can help you handle higher-value items. If you’re agreeing on a payment plan and need to structure the repayment, you can use our payment plan agreement.

You should also consider what the seller is providing to the buyer. Bills of sale are only for physical items, so you can use Legal Templates’s service agreement to detail the provision of services.

Writing a bill of sale can be seamless if you have the right details. Follow these steps to create a solid document that offers protection to the involved parties.

Step 1 – List the Date & Party Details

Write the current date at the top of the document. This detail establishes when the sale took place, which creates a clear timeline for legal and tax reasons.

Also, include the full names and addresses of both parties. These details identify who is involved in the transaction and which parties are giving up and receiving ownership. If the buyer or seller is a business, include the business name and address as well.

Step 2 – Provide a Detailed Item Description

Include key details to identify the item being sold. If you’re selling a car, you can provide details such as the:

• Make
• Model
• Year
• Odometer reading
• VIN
• Color
• Condition

The information in the item description will differ depending on the item. For example, if you’re selling a camera, the details may include the make, model, serial number, accessories, software, and digital licenses.

Step 3 – State the Selling Price

Clearly list the agreed-upon selling price for the item, including any taxes or additional fees. Specify if you’re offering a discount or if the item includes additional services, like free shipping or delivery. The price you list in your bill of sale should be final, so be sure to negotiate before writing it.

Step 4 – Outline the Payment Terms

Specify the buyer’s payment method. Indicate which methods you accept; for higher-value items, you may consider more secure methods than cash, like a cashier’s check or bank transfer.

Clarify if the payment will occur in one amount or installment payments to ensure both parties are on the same page regarding how the transaction will occur. If the transaction is structured more as a loan between friends or family members, consider using a promissory note to formalize the payment terms.

Step 5 – Include Warranties

Add warranties if you want the purchase to have any promises or guarantees. These warranties give confidence to the buyer and ensure that the sale will only happen if these conditions are met. If these conditions are not met, the warranty allows the seller to repair, replace, or refund the item within a certain period (if specified).

Step 6 – Add Signatures

Both the buyer and seller need to sign the bill of sale form to make it official. If either party omits their signature, the bill of sale won’t be valid, and your transaction could be questioned later.

Once the bill of sale is complete, provide each party with a copy for their records. Store it in a safe place to refer to in case any issues arise. Use it to register your purchased item at the DMV or another government office if needed.

Wondering what a bill of sale looks like? View a free sample below, then use our editable bill of sale form to create your own. Downloadable as a PDF or Word file.

This is a document preview. Your customized version will be created after you answer a few quick questions.

Personal Property Bill of Sale (Rev. 133EE91)

1 / 2

State of __________

Rev. 133EE91

BILL OF SALE

Seller Information

Full Name

__________

Address

__________, __________, __________ __________

Telephone

E-mail

__________

Buyer Information

Full Name

__________

Address

__________, __________, __________ __________

Telephone

E-mail

__________

Description of Property

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

I, __________ (the “Seller”), hereby sell, transfer and convey all rights, title and interest in the above

described property (the “Property”) to __________ (the “Buyer”) for and in consideration of the total sum

of __________, plus any applicable sales tax, paid by _________________ and the receipt of which is

hereby acknowledged. This sum represents the mutually agreed upon purchase price of the Property,

between both the Seller and the Buyer.

The condition of the property is __________.

The Seller certifies to the Buyer that the Seller is the legal and rightful owner of the Property and has full

right and authority to convey the same.

The undersigned Seller declares under penalties of perjury that the statements herein contained

are true and correct to the best of his or her knowledge, information and belief.

The undersigned Buyer accepts receipt of the Property described herein and understands and

acknowledges that the Property is sold in “AS IS” condition without any guarantees or warranties of any

kind, either express or implied.

Personal Property Bill of Sale (Rev. 133EE91)

2 / 2

__________

__________

Seller Full Name

Seller Signature

Date

__________

__________

Buyer Full Name

Buyer Signature

Date

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Personal Property Bill of Sale (Rev. 133EE91)

GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS

WHAT IS AN AUTO BILL OF

SALE?

An Auto Bill of Sale is a formal written document

used to describe and document the transfer of

ownership of a motor vehicle from a seller to a

buyer. This legal document is appropriate for

individual items rather than commercially

produced items sold in large quantities. The

document itself usually outlines the rights and

responsibilities of each party in relation to the

sale and is created before any money or

possession changes hands.

Generally, this document includes the names

and details of both the seller and the buyer,

information about the goods to be sold, and the

date and price of the sales transaction. Both

parties typically sign the document and both

parties should retain a copy for their records.

You should check your local regulations and

state law as some require the Auto Bill of Sale to

contain certain provisions and/or formalities

such as a notary acknowledgement for the

signatures.

A Bill of Sale can include seller's warranties or

no warranties. If the Bill of Sale includes

warranties, then those typically relate to the

condition of the product, the existence of any

liens or encumbrances and whether any repairs

or replacements will be made within a certain

period of time. One that does not include

warranties is typically referred to as an "as-is"

sale. This means that the product is sold and

received as it is presented without any additional

guarantees or warranties relating to the

condition of the product. The buyer accepts any

faults or imperfections that exist with the item at

the time of the purchase.

In most cases, a Bill of Sale will not allow a

buyer to return an item even if damaged.

However, a seller may not lie or misrepresent

the condition of an item before it is sold or

attempt to hide any flaws from a buyer or else

this could invalidate the terms of the sale.

WHAT CAN IT BE USED FOR?

A Bill of Sale can be used for a variety of

different items but is often used when

ownership of the following is being

transferred: Cars, motorcycles, boats,

recreational vehicles, aircrafts or other

vehicles.

WHO CAN USE A BILL OF

SALE?

Anyone who intends to sell or buy an item of

value should consider using a Bill of Sale.

Whether you are the seller or the buyer, this

document should be of interest to you as the

document aims to protect the rights of both

parties.

If you are selling or purchasing an item with a

high value, a used (second-hand) item, an item

via trading websites, private sales, or a vehicle

owned by a private individual, then a Bill of

Sale is particularly effective and appropriate. If

you are unsure whether to use a Bill of Sale, it

may be a good idea for you to consult with a

legal professional before completing the deal

so that you can determine whether this

document is the right choice for your needs.

An alternative to a Bill of Sale is a Sales

Agreement. A Sales Agreement is suitable in

circumstances where warranties or further

guarantees are necessary or if the parties

intend to set up a more complicated payment

arrangement such as installment payments

over a long period of time.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS?

For both the seller and the buyer, the Bill of

Sale is a useful document for accounting and

tax purposes and can be submitted as

evidence in related matters. The document

records the fact of the transfer of ownership as

well as captures the date and the price of the

sale. In particular, if the ownership is ever

challenged in the future, this information is vital

and essential to establishing ownership and

showing that the transfer was properly

completed.

A bill of sale proves that an item’s ownership has changed, while a receipt is more informal. It only proves that the seller received payment from the buyer. Meanwhile, an invoice is the document the seller presents to the buyer to request payment for goods provided.