A Washington bill of sale is a form that documents the sale or trade of an item from one person to another.
To protect yourself, you should use a bill of sale in the state of Washington whenever selling or purchasing:
- a car, a boat, a motorcycle, or any other type of vehicle
- a gun/firearm
- or any livestock or animal, such as a horse
Bill of Sale – By Type (5)
A form to buy or sell a motor vehicle in the state of Washington. In many states, a bill of sale is required to register a vehicle at the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).
Vehicle Bill of Sale
A document to transfer ownership of recreational water vehicles (such as motorboats, sailboats, yachts, and jet skis) in the state of Washington.
Boat Bill of Sale
A form to buy or sell a trailer (or any non-motorized vehicle pulled by another vehicle) in the state of Washington and register it at the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).
Trailer Bill of Sale
A document to transfer ownership of a gun (such as a handgun, rifle, or shotgun) in the state of Washington, and avoid legal or criminal issues involving the weapon after it is sold.
Firearm Bill of Sale
A form to record the transfer of a motorcycle in the state of Washington. By detailing information about the bike being sold, you can protect yourself from fraudulent sales.
Motorcycle Bill of Sale
Requirements
In Washington, a bill of sale is required to sell, purchase, and register a vehicle or vessel. This document is a sales transaction record and must be submitted to the DOL for vehicle and vessel registration.
The buyer must keep an original copy of a bill of sale if they need it for registration.
Language Requirements
The DOL homepage can be translated via Google into Spanish, Chinese, Russian, Japanese, Korean, and Vietnamese; however, all forms, including the bill of sale, come exclusively in English.
Number of Copies
The state requires a copy of the bill of sale whether you register a vehicle or a vessel In Washington. Therefore, you should make three copies, so the buyer and seller will also have a copy.
Vehicle Registration Forms
- Bill of Sale (TD-420-065)
- Vehicle Title Application (filled out in the presence of a notary or state licensing or DOL agent)
- Odometer Disclosure Form
- Registration fees and tax payments
- Proof of insurance
Boat Registration Forms
- Vessel Title Application
- Bill of Sale
- Out-of-state registration (if the boat was previously registered in another state)
- Out-of-state title (if the boat was previously titled in another state; in Washington, you must usually sign over the title in the presence of a state licensing agent)
- Proof of payment of fees and taxes
Sample
