Legal Templates

Mississippi Motorcycle Bill of Sale

Create a motorcycle bill of sale form for Mississippi to document the details of your transaction and prove motorcycle ownership.

Updated April 14, 2023 | Legally reviewed by Susan Chai, Esq.

In Mississippi (MS), purchasing or selling a motorcycle doesn’t have to be difficult.

A motorcycle bill of sale form is one of the most important documents to use when buying or selling a motorcycle.

A bill of sale is useful in the event of a legal disagreement, and it can be used to support proof of ownership of a motorcycle.

The precise procedures and documents needed for buying or selling a motorcycle in Mississippi are outlined below.

If you keep reading, you can also find out what a motorcycle bill of sale for Mississippi is. 

Table of Contents

What Is a Mississippi Motorcycle Bill of Sale Form?

A Mississippi motorcycle bill of sale form is a formal document used to record the sale of a motorcycle in the state of Mississippi from one private individual to another.

The make, model, year, vehicle identification number (VIN), mileage, and color of the motorcycle are all included in this document, along with other important details.

Additionally, the bill of sale contains information associated with the buyer and seller, including names, addresses, and signatures.

Is a Motorcycle Bill of Sale Form Required in Mississippi? 

If you’re buying or selling a motorcycle in Mississippi, you’ll likely need to use a bill of sale form.

It’s a formal document that certifies the sale of a motorcycle and evidence of the buyer’s ownership.

A bill of sale must be filed for the sale of any vehicle in the state of Mississippi — including motorcycles — when the title document doesn’t list a sale price.

Bear in mind that a bill of sale is not the same thing as a title document.

Within seven (7) working days of the purchase, the buyer needs to visit the Mississippi Department of Revenue (specifically, their local county tax collector’s office) and submit an application for a title in their name to lawfully own and operate the motorcycle.

Do You Need a Bill of Sale to Register a Motorcycle in Mississippi?

A bill of sale is usually required as a supporting document (if the title document doesn’t list a sale price) for motorcycle registration in Mississippi.

After purchasing a motorcycle in Mississippi, you must present the title and/or bill of sale to the Mississippi Department of Revenue via your local county tax collector’s office when applying for new registration. 

You’ll need the motorcycle’s title or previous registration, the bill of sale (if the sale price isn’t listed on the title), proof of insurance, ID, and a completed application form to register your motorcycle.

If the motorcycle was previously registered outside Mississippi, you’ll also need to provide an odometer disclosure statement. A separate licensing fee is also required, the amount of which depends on variables like the motorcycle’s age and weight. 

To be able to lawfully own and operate the motorcycle, the buyer must also get registration in their name from the Mississippi Department of Revenue.

How Do I Transfer Ownership of a Motorcycle in Mississippi?

The following are the required procedures for transferring motorcycle ownership in Mississippi:

Step 1 – Fill Out a Bill of Sale and Give It to the Buyer

 Give the buyer the filled-in bill of sale with the transaction details including the date and amount paid, the parties’ names and contact information, and the motorcycle’s make, model, year, odometer reading, and VIN.

Step 2 – Put the Buyer’s Name and Address on the Back of the Title

When selling a motorcycle, make sure to assign the title to the new owner.

Start by including the new owner’s name and address on the back of the title document.

Step 3 – The Title Must Be Signed and Dated by the Buyer and Seller 

The reverse of the motorcycle title needs to be signed and dated by both the buyer and the seller and given to the buyer.

If the title was issued by a state other than Mississippi, an odometer disclosure statement must be given to the buyer by the seller.

In addition, an inspection of the motorcycle may be necessary to transfer the title if the bike is older than 10 years. 

Lastly, the seller must remove the license plate(s) from the motorcycle and turn it in to their local county tax collector’s office.

This will ensure the seller is removed from the motorcycle’s ownership record.

Step 4 – If Applicable, the Lienholder Must Waive Their Right to the Motorcycle’s Title

If the seller financed the motorcycle, the lienholder must release their right to the motorcycle’s title before ownership can be transferred.

Step 5 – Make Sure the Buyer has Insurance

Make sure the buyer obtains the required liability insurance.

Step 6 – All Paperwork Must Be Taken to the Mississippi Department of Revenue for Processing

The buyer needs to take the assigned title, bill of sale (if applicable), proof of insurance, ID, and title and registration paperwork, including an odometer disclosure statement to the Mississippi Department of Revenue (via their local county tax collector’s office) for processing.

Step 7 – Applicable Fees Must Be Paid

The buyer needs to pay the fees (including sales tax) charged by the Mississippi Department of Revenue, which are based on the motorcycle’s purchase price, age, and weight.

Step 8 – A New Title Will Be Issued 

The buyer will receive a brand-new title and registration from the Mississippi Department of Revenue.

Motorcycle Title Transfer With a Bill of Sale Only

A motorcycle title generally cannot be transferred (except under special circumstances) with just a bill of sale in the state of Mississippi.

If you want to buy a motorcycle from a private individual, you’ll need to get the title document signed over to you by the current owner.

To transfer ownership of a motorcycle in Mississippi, both the buyer and the seller must date and sign the title, and it must be submitted to the Mississippi Department of Revenue.

The title functions as proof of ownership and is needed to register the motorcycle with the state.

Note that a bill of sale can support (but not serve as) proof of ownership. The bill of sale functions as proof of the transaction that the buyer and seller should retain for their records.

The seller of the motorcycle can apply to the Mississippi Department of Revenue for a duplicate or replacement title if the title has been lost or destroyed.

To prove ownership, the seller will need to produce the previous bill of sale and possibly other paperwork.

Does a Mississippi Motorcycle Bill of Sale Need to Be Notarized?

Technically, a motorcycle bill of sale in Mississippi doesn’t need to be notarized to be valid under state law.

But it’s best practice for both the buyer and the seller to sign the bill of sale in the presence of a notary public or other unbiased witness.

Having a notary public present to observe the signature of the bill of sale adds an additional degree of security and helps avoid potential legal issues arising from the sale of the motorcycle.

It can be in your best interest to have the bill of sale notarized even if it’s not required by law, because some buyers may require a notarized bill of sale as a prerequisite of their purchase (to get financing, for instance).

Buying and Selling a Motorcycle in Mississippi

Buying a Motorcycle

The general procedures for buying a motorcycle in Mississippi are as follows:

Step 1 – Set a Budget

 You should know how much money you want to spend on a motorcycle before you start looking.

Don’t just think about how much it will cost to buy, but also how much it will cost to operate.

Step 2 – Research Motorcycles

Learn the details of your desired motorcycle. Think about the features (such as height, power, and price) that are most important to you in a motorcycle.

Read up on buyer experiences, costs, and features, so you can make a sound choice.

Step 3 – Find a Seller

You can purchase a motorcycle from either a dealer or an individual. Individual sellers may have more affordable options.

Used motorcycles can be found on websites like Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace.

Inspect the Motorcycle

Once you’ve located a motorcycle that interests you, it’s important to give it a comprehensive inspection to make sure it’s in good shape.

Check for any possible technical, structural, or cosmetic defects. Having a mechanic look over the motorcycle before you purchase it is also a good idea.

If the bike is older than 10 years, a certified inspection is needed for the seller to transfer the title.

Step 5 – Negotiate the Price

Negotiate the price with the seller.

Make an offer that reflects the bike’s current state and the going price for motorcycles in similar condition in your area.

Step 6 – Complete the Sale

Once a price has been decided upon, the transaction needs to be finalized.

This is done by transferring ownership of the motorcycle via payment of the sale price, a transfer of the title, and a signed bill of sale.

Make sure that the transfer of ownership complies with all applicable state laws and regulations.

Step 7 – Register the Motorcycle 

The motorcycle needs to be registered with the Mississippi Department of Revenue after purchase.

You’ll have to show your ID, the motorcycle’s title, the bill of sale (if the title doesn’t have a sales price), and proof of insurance, and you must pay all applicable licensing fees and taxes.

Keep in mind that the steps involved in buying a motorcycle can vary based on who the seller of the bike is (if they’re related to you, they may need to fill out a special affidavit) and the particulars of the transaction.

If you have any questions, visit the Mississippi Department of Revenue website and abide by all local, state, and federal rules and regulations.

Selling a Motorcycle

To sell a motorcycle in Mississippi, follow these steps:

Step 1 – Gather the Necessary Paperwork

 You need both the motorcycle’s title (which proves ownership) and a bill of sale (which records the sale’s terms) to legally sell a motorcycle in Mississippi.

Step 2 – Set a Fair Price

Price the motorcycle fairly by considering its condition, mileage, and current market value.

You can estimate how much you should price it by looking at local listings for comparable bikes 

Step 3 – Advertise the Motorcycle

Put up a sign, post an ad, or use an online sales platform to let people know that you’re selling a motorcycle.

Specify the manufacturer, type, year, current mileage, and asking amount. 

Step 4 – Meeting With the Potential Buyer

Show the motorcycle to prospective buyers, but don’t sugarcoat its condition or try to mask any problems.

Let the buyer do a complete inspection of the motorcycle. 

Step 5 – Negotiate the Price

Be prepared to negotiate with the buyer on price.

Consider the buyer’s offer and determine whether it’s fair based on the condition of the motorcycle and the market value.

Step 6 – Complete the Sale

After settling on a price, you should move forward with the transaction.

This is done by executing a bill of sale, transferring the title to the buyer, and removing the license plate(s) from the motorcycle.

If you’re related to the buyer, you may need to provide a special affidavit, which is available from the Mississippi Department of Revenue.

The buyer will get their new registration from the state after applying to the Mississippi Department of Revenue (via their local county tax collector’s office) with all the correct paperwork and fees.

Step 7 – Cancel the Registration and Insurance

You need to turn in your old license plate(s) to your local county tax collector’s office and inform them about the motorcycle’s sale.

Confirm your cancellation of the motorcycle’s registration and insurance.

Bear in mind that the exact steps involved in selling a motorcycle can vary based on the conditions of the transaction. 

How to Write a Motorcycle Bill of Sale in Mississippi

Here are all the steps you need to create a motorcycle bill of sale in Mississippi:

Step 1 – Start With a Heading

“Motorcycle Bill of Sale” should be written in uppercase text as the title on the bill of sale.

Step 2 – Fill in Buyer and Seller Information 

Include the names, addresses, and contact information for both the buyer and the seller.

Step 3 – Identify the Motorcycle

Give the specifics about the motorcycle you’re selling, such as its make, model, year, mileage, and VIN.

Step 4 – Fill in Motorcycle Information

Provide a short summary of the motorcycle’s current condition.

Any problems or flaws that have been discovered should be noted.

Step 5 – State the Purchase Price

List the sale price for the motorcycle. Don’t forget to specify the currency as US dollars

Step 6 – Include the Date of the Sale

State the date on which the motorcycle is being sold.

Step 7 – Sign and Date the Bill of Sale

The bill of sale will become legally enforceable once both the seller and the buyer have signed and dated it.

Summary 

To sum up, if you’re buying or selling a motorcycle in Mississippi, you’ll want to use a bill of sale.

You can use our automated motorcycle bill of sale template for Mississippi with accompanying motorcycle bill of sale template instructions.

Mississippi Motorcycle Bill of Sale Sample

Below is an example of a Mississippi motorcycle bill of sale form.

mississippi motorcycle bill of sale