Car Bill of Sale Template
Selling a car is different from selling most other things: the vehicle has a title, a VIN, and an odometer reading, and the sale usually has to be recorded with a state agency before ownership fully transfers. This template captures the vehicle-specific details a bill of sale should carry.
This template records the deal but does not replace your state’s title transfer. Confirm the signing format with the agency before you meet the buyer.
Why a separate bill of sale for a car
The vehicle title proves who legally owns the car. The bill of sale records the transaction itself — who sold it, who bought it, the price, and the date. Agencies that handle registration almost always want both documents together, so a clean bill of sale saves a return trip. It also protects the seller: once the buyer signs, the paper shows the car left your hands on a specific day.
The odometer reading belongs on the document
Federal rules call for a written odometer disclosure on the document for most private vehicle sales. Recording the mileage when you sell prevents later disputes about whether the reading was tampered with. Write the number exactly as it shows on the dashboard, and keep it consistent with the title.
Where to find the VIN
The Vehicle Identification Number is 17 characters long. You will find it at the lower-left of the windshield, on the driver’s door jamb sticker, and on the title and registration. Copy it character by character into the generator; a single wrong digit can break a later registration.
Bill of sale versus the title
These are two different papers. The title is the ownership certificate issued by the state; the bill of sale is the receipt of the deal. You typically need the signed title to transfer ownership and the bill of sale to prove the terms. Hand the buyer the signed title only after payment clears.
What to hand over on delivery day
At the meeting, give the buyer the signed title, the bill of sale, any service or maintenance records you have, and the keys. Note the existing license plate handling — in many states the plate stays with the seller, not the car. Remove your personal items and cancel any linked toll or parking accounts afterward.
Frequently asked questions
Where do I find my car’s VIN?
The VIN is 17 characters long. Look at the lower-left of the windshield, on the driver’s door jamb sticker, or on the vehicle title and registration. Write it exactly as it appears.
Do I have to disclose the odometer reading?
Federal rules call for a written odometer disclosure on the document for most private vehicle sales. Recording the reading on the bill of sale helps both sides and supports the title transfer.
Is a bill of sale the same as a title?
No. The title proves who legally owns the car; the bill of sale records the transaction — price, date, and the parties. You usually need both to transfer ownership at the agency.