What Is a Tennessee Vehicle Bill of Sale?
A Tennessee vehicle bill of sale is a legal document that records the sale and transfer of a car from one person to another. It lists important information about the car sale like the names of the buyer and seller, the vehicle’s make and model, the sale price, and the date of sale.
While Tennessee does not require a bill of sale to transfer a vehicle title in most cases, county clerk’s offices may accept it as proof of the transaction. Moreover, a car bill of sale can be helpful if questions arise about ownership or the sale terms later on. Note that a bill of sale is not the same as a vehicle title. However, it still adds an extra layer of protection by showing when and how the vehicle changed hands.
When Do You Need a Motor Vehicle Bill of Sale in Tennessee?
You may need a Tennessee motor vehicle bill of sale whenever a vehicle is sold or transferred to someone else. While it’s not always required by law, having one helps protect both the buyer and the seller.
Here are some common situations when a bill of sale is useful:
- Private sales: If you are buying or selling a car from a person (not a dealership), a Tennessee car bill of sale confirms the sales terms.
- Proof of sale: The bill of sale documents the sale price and the date of sale. This can be helpful during registration or if questions about taxes arise later.
- Dispute protection: A bill of sale creates a written record in case a disagreement arises about the sale or if legal issues occur.
- County requirements: Some counties in Tennessee may ask for a bill of sale to complete the title transfer or assess taxes. You should check with your local county clerk’s office for specific rules.
Legal Templates offers a free Tennessee vehicle bill of sale form that you can customize and complete online using a simple questionnaire. It’s easy to complete and meets state requirements.
Does a Tennessee Vehicle Bill of Sale Need to Be Notarized?
In most cases, a Tennessee vehicle bill of sale does not require notarization. You can complete the bill of sale with signatures of both parties and keep the form for your records. Notarizing your bill of sale is a good way to prevent future disputes, especially for high-value vehicles.
However, notarization is required if the vehicle is coming from a state or country that does not issue titles. In that case, the buyer must provide:
- A notarized bill of sale
- Foreign registration for the vehicle
Under Tennessee Code § 55-3-104, if the foreign registration is less than 90 days old, the buyer must include the previous notarized bill of sale to show how the seller got the vehicle.
Sample Tennessee Vehicle Bill of Sale
View a sample Tennessee vehicle bill of sale template below to see what details you’d need to include in your document. Then, complete your TN vehicle bill of sale using our simple questionnaire and download your form as a PDF or Word file.
