Legal Templates

Montana Motorcycle Bill of Sale

Create a motorcycle bill of sale for Montana so you can document the details of your transaction and prove change of ownership.

Updated April 15, 2023 | Legally reviewed by Susan Chai, Esq.

A Montana Motorcycle Bill of Sale form documents all relevant details pertaining to the sale of a motorcycle between private parties.

This includes not only the names, addresses, and signatures of the buyer and seller, but also the final sales price, the date that the sale was completed, and more.

It will also go into detail about the make, model, and other points about the motorcycle in question.

Table of Contents

What Is a Montana Motorcycle Bill of Sale Form?

Think of a Montana motorcycle bill of sale as a purchase receipt. It’s used by both buyers and sellers as a record of the purchase and change of ownership of a motorcycle.

In Montana, different types of property have their own bill of sale forms to document the transfer of ownership.

\Motorcycles can fall under a motorcycle bill of sale or a motor vehicle bill of sale, while there are also forms unique to boats, firearms, and other types of personal property.

Is a Motorcycle Bill of Sale Form Required in Montana?

A motorcycle bill of sale form is not required in the state of Montana if the motorcycle has a current certificate of title to show proof of ownership.

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

A bill of sale is not required to register a motorcycle in Montana if there is an existing valid certificate of title to show ownership.

All motorcycles have to be titled and registered with the Montana Vehicle Services Bureau (VSB).

The new owner of the motorcycle will have 60 days to do so, and they will need to submit all necessary documentation in person to their local County Treasurer’s Office.

To title and register a motorcycle, the following pieces of information need to be submitted:

  • Certificate of Title, signed and notarized. 
  • Proof of minimum liability insurance coverage to protect against things like bodily injury, property damage, or even death in the event of an accident.
  • A completed Application for Certificate of Title for a Motor Vehicle by the buyer as the new owner.
  • The registration and notarized bill of sale from another state (if applicable).
  • A valid Montana driver’s license for proof of identification and residency.
  • Payment of applicable fees and taxes

Note that it is always recommended that you provide copies of any documents that you submit, as nothing will be returned to you.

How Do I Transfer Ownership of a Motorcycle in Montana?

In order to transfer ownership of a motorcycle in Montana, fill out the “transfer” section on the back side of the title.

This includes the legal name and address of both the buyer and the seller, as well as the date of sale. Note that the signature of the seller also needs to be notarized.

At that point, the buyer can submit the previously listed documents to the County Treasurer’s Office in the county where they live to complete the transfer.

Motorcycle Title Transfer With a Bill of Sale Only

Presently, it is not possible to transfer a motorcycle in Montana using only a bill of sale. All the previously mentioned documents are necessary.

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

Yes, a Montana motorcycle bill of sale does need to be notarized in order to be accepted as proof of ownership.

Buying and Selling a Motorcycle in Montana

Buying and selling a motorcycle in Montana is a major financial transaction. Because of that, both parties will want to protect themselves with a motorcycle bill of sale to avoid any potential issues in the future.

Meeting With the Potential Buyer

Arranging an in-person meeting between the seller and potential buyer is important for both parties and creates a mutually beneficial situation for everyone involved.

For starters, the seller gets to confirm that the buyer is serious about moving forward with this process.

The buyer also has the opportunity to take a closer look at the motorcycle to make sure that it meets the description they were given and that there are no unexpected issues that could cause the entire transaction to fall apart.

Outlining the Terms and Conditions of the Sale

After that, the buyer and seller can negotiate the terms to their mutual satisfaction.

They should discuss the purchase price, the purchase date, the delivery location, and more, all so that things can move forward in a way that everyone is happy with.

How to Write a Motorcycle Bill of Sale in Montana

To make sure that your Montana motorcycle bill of sale is valid, there are a number of important pieces of information that you’ll want to make sure are accounted for.

Step 1 – Fill in Buyer and Seller Information

Begin by filling in all appropriate buyer and seller information in the appropriate sections.

You’ll need to include the full name of both the buyer and the seller, as well as their address and contact information.

Step 2 – Fill in Motorcycle Information

At that point, you can move on to the section that requires you to provide information about the motorcycle that you’re purchasing.

There are fields for the sale price as well as the year, make, model, color, odometer reading and vehicle identification number (VIN).

Step 3 – Finalization and Notarization

Finally, after both parties have verified that all information is entered correctly, both the buyer and seller will sign and date the bill of sale and the signatures can be acknowledged and notarized.

Summary

Overall, a Montana motorcycle bill of sale is an essential part of any transaction of this magnitude, particularly when it comes to protecting the interests of both the buyer and the seller.

If you’d like to learn more about how this process works, or if you’d like to use our motorcycle bill of sale template to help make things as straightforward as possible.

Montana Motorcycle Bill of Sale Sample

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

montana motorcycle bill of sale