Is a bill of sale the same as a title?

No. A bill of sale is evidence that a sale happened — what was sold, to whom, for how much, and in what condition, signed by both parties. It does not transfer ownership on its own; a vehicle title, or a deed for property, is the document that does that. For a private car sale, the bill of sale records the transfer while the signed title is what a DMV uses to re-register the vehicle.

Does a bill of sale need to be notarized?

It depends on your state. Some states require a notary to witness the signatures on a vehicle bill of sale, while others accept a signed bill without one. This template gives you the clauses you need, but for the notarization and filing requirements that apply where you are, check with your local DMV or a qualified person — the requirements vary and change.

Can I use this for a car sale?

Yes. The worked example shows a used-car sale filled in — the item, the VIN, the sale price, and the seller's declarations. There is also a separate vehicle bill of sale form on this site that adds the odometer reading and the title number, which a state DMV may want when the vehicle is registered.

Is a bill of sale the same as a title?

No. A bill of sale is evidence that a sale happened — what was sold, to whom, for how much, and in what condition, signed by both parties. It does not transfer ownership on its own; a vehicle title, or a deed for property, is the document that does that. For a private car sale, the bill of sale records the transfer while the signed title is what a DMV uses to re-register the vehicle.

Does a bill of sale need to be notarized?

It depends on your state. Some states require a notary to witness the signatures on a vehicle bill of sale, while others accept a signed bill without one. This template gives you the clauses you need, but for the notarization and filing requirements that apply where you are, check with your local DMV or a qualified person — the requirements vary and change.

Can I use this for a car sale?

Yes. The worked example shows a used-car sale filled in — the item, the VIN, the sale price, and the seller's declarations. There is also a separate vehicle bill of sale form on this site that adds the odometer reading and the title number, which a state DMV may want when the vehicle is registered.

Bill of sale template

A bill of sale records what was sold, to whom, for how much, and in what condition. It is used for any private sale that deserves a written record — a vehicle, equipment, furniture, a boat — and it is the proof of a transfer that both sides want. A bill of sale is not a title of ownership; it is evidence that a sale happened. What makes it valid is that both parties sign it, that it names the item and the price, and that the date is real. It documents the transfer rather than carrying it. This template gives you the structure, and the worked example fills it in for a used car.

DocumentBOS-001

RevisionRev 1.0

Last reviewed2026-08-18

Ownerfreebizdocs.com

A bill of sale that records what was sold, to whom, for how much, and in what condition — with a worked example for a used car.

Copy it, or print it and save as PDF.

BOS-001  ·  Rev 1.0
[BILL OF SALE TEMPLATE]

A bill of sale records what was sold, to whom, for how much, and in what condition. It is used for any private sale that deserves a written record — a vehicle, equipment, furniture, a boat — and it is the proof of a transfer that both sides want. A bill of sale is not a title of ownership; it is evidence that a sale happened. What makes it valid is that both parties sign it, that it names the item and the price, and that the date is real. It documents the transfer rather than carrying it. This template gives you the structure, and the worked example fills it in for a used car.

1.  PARTIES
    > Note — Who is selling and who is buying, with names and addresses so there is no doubt who is bound.
    [SELLER]
    [BUYER]

2.  ITEM SOLD
    > Note — Describe the item precisely enough that it cannot be mistaken for another: make, model, year, serial or VIN, and condition.
    [ITEM]

3.  SALE PRICE
    > Note — The amount and how it is paid.
    [PRICE]
    [PAYMENT]

4.  DATE AND LOCATION
    > Note — When and where the sale took place.
    [DATE]
    [LOCATION]

5.  SELLER'S DECLARATIONS
    > Note — The seller states they own the item, that there are no liens or debts on it, and that it is as described.
    [DECLARATIONS]

6.  AS-IS CLAUSE
    > Note — The item is sold as it is, without any warranty — the buyer accepts the present condition.
    [AS_IS]

7.  SIGNATURES
    > Note — Both parties sign and date, and each keeps a copy.
    [SIGNATURES]

Free to use in your own documents, including commercially.

Parties

Note — Who is selling and who is buying, with names and addresses so there is no doubt who is bound.

[SELLER]

Note — The seller's full name and address.

[BUYER]

Note — The buyer's full name and address.

Item sold

Note — Describe the item precisely enough that it cannot be mistaken for another: make, model, year, serial or VIN, and condition.

[ITEM]

Note — The description of the item, including any serial or VIN and its condition.

Sale price

Note — The amount and how it is paid.

[PRICE]

Note — The total amount of the sale.

[PAYMENT]

Note — How the price is paid — cash, bank transfer, or other.

Date and location

Note — When and where the sale took place.

[DATE]

Note — The date of the sale.

[LOCATION]

Note — The city and place where the sale happened.

Seller's declarations

Note — The seller states they own the item, that there are no liens or debts on it, and that it is as described.

[DECLARATIONS]

Note — The seller's declarations about ownership, liens and the item's condition.

As-is clause

Note — The item is sold as it is, without any warranty — the buyer accepts the present condition.

[AS_IS]

Note — The as-is statement and the buyer's acceptance of the condition.

Signatures

Note — Both parties sign and date, and each keeps a copy.

[SIGNATURES]

Note — The signatures of seller and buyer with dates, and a note on copies.

Worked example

Parties

Note — Who is selling and who is buying, with names and addresses so there is no doubt who is bound.

Jamie Torres, 214 Cedar Park, Springfield, IL 62721.

Alex Morgan, 57 Birch Street, Springfield, IL 62704.

Item sold

Note — Describe the item precisely enough that it cannot be mistaken for another: make, model, year, serial or VIN, and condition.

One 2018 Honda Civic LX, grey, four-door sedan. VIN 2HGFK2F58JH621046, odometer 77,120 miles. Sold in good running condition with two small scuffs on the rear bumper.

Sale price

Note — The amount and how it is paid.

The total sale price is $12,500.

Paid in full on the date of sale by bank transfer to the seller's account.

Date and location

Note — When and where the sale took place.

2026-08-18

Springfield, Illinois, at the seller's address.

Seller's declarations

Note — The seller states they own the item, that there are no liens or debts on it, and that it is as described.

The seller declares they own the vehicle and that there are no liens or outstanding loans against it, and that it is sold as described above.

As-is clause

Note — The item is sold as it is, without any warranty — the buyer accepts the present condition.

The vehicle is sold as-is, with no warranty, express or implied. The buyer accepts it in its present condition and has had the chance to inspect it.

Signatures

Note — Both parties sign and date, and each keeps a copy.

Seller: Jamie Torres, dated 2026-08-18. Buyer: Alex Morgan, dated 2026-08-18. Each party keeps a signed copy.

Copy it, or print it and save as PDF.

These documents are starting structures for you to build on, not professional or legal advice. Anything that will have legal or contractual effect, or that varies by jurisdiction, should be reviewed by someone qualified in the relevant place.

What a bill of sale actually proves

A bill of sale is evidence that a sale happened, not proof of ownership. It records what was sold, to whom, for how much and in what condition, and it matters when the buyer later wants to show they paid for it or the seller wants to show they no longer hold it. It is not a title or a deed — for a vehicle or property, the signed title is the document that moves ownership.

For a private car sale, use the vehicle bill of sale, which adds the VIN, the odometer reading and the title number.

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Common questions

Is a bill of sale the same as a title?: No. A bill of sale is evidence that a sale happened — what was sold, to whom, for how much, and in what condition, signed by both parties. It does not transfer ownership on its own; a vehicle title, or a deed for property, is the document that does that. For a private car sale, the bill of sale records the transfer while the signed title is what a DMV uses to re-register the vehicle.
Does a bill of sale need to be notarized?: It depends on your state. Some states require a notary to witness the signatures on a vehicle bill of sale, while others accept a signed bill without one. This template gives you the clauses you need, but for the notarization and filing requirements that apply where you are, check with your local DMV or a qualified person — the requirements vary and change.
Can I use this for a car sale?: Yes. The worked example shows a used-car sale filled in — the item, the VIN, the sale price, and the seller's declarations. There is also a separate vehicle bill of sale form on this site that adds the odometer reading and the title number, which a state DMV may want when the vehicle is registered.