Free Car Bill of Sale: Printable PDF Generator (All 50 States)

Selling in Florida or New York? The generator can also auto-fill the official state forms: Florida HSMV 82050 and New York MV-912.

What a car bill of sale does (and what it does not)

A car bill of sale is the written receipt of a private sale: who sold which vehicle to whom, on what date, for how much, and in what condition. For the buyer it proves the purchase price for sales tax and backs up the registration paperwork. For the seller it fixes the exact moment liability ended, which matters when the buyer picks up a toll violation or parking ticket before re-registering the car.

What it does not do: transfer the title. The seller still signs the title certificate over to the buyer, and the buyer applies for a new title at the DMV. Think of it as two documents doing two jobs: the title changes the owner on state record, the bill of sale records the deal itself. Most DMVs want to see both.

What to include

Both parties: full legal names and addresses of seller and buyer.
Vehicle description: year, make, model, color, and the 17-character VIN exactly as it appears on the dashboard plate or title.
Odometer reading: federal law requires disclosure for model year 2011 and newer vehicles. The generator adds the required statement automatically.
Price, date and payment method: the real figures. Understating the price to reduce sales tax is illegal in every state.
As-is clause: nearly every private car sale is as-is. Saying it in writing protects the seller from later complaints about the transmission or the check-engine light.
Signatures on both copies: each party keeps one. Add notarization if your state expects it; the generator warns you and adds the notary block.

State notes worth knowing

Situation	What to know
Florida	Sellers should file the official HSMV 82050 with the county tax collector within 30 days to end liability. Our generator auto-fills it.
New York	The DMV's MV-912 is the standard bill of sale, and plates stay with the seller. Our generator auto-fills MV-912.
Notary states	Louisiana, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, West Virginia and in some sales Maryland require or commonly expect notarized transfer documents.
Plates	In most states plates stay with the seller; a few let them follow the car. Check your DMV before the buyer drives away.

Last reviewed September 2026. Confirm current rules with your state DMV before the sale.

Car bill of sale: FAQ

Do I need a bill of sale to sell a car?

In many states yes, and everywhere it is smart. Some states require a bill of sale for registration or tax purposes; in all states it documents the price, the date, and the as-is condition, protecting the seller from tickets and liability after the sale and the buyer in any dispute.

Is a handwritten bill of sale legal for a car?

Yes. There is no rule that it must be typed, but a printed form is clearer, harder to dispute, and less likely to miss required details like the VIN or odometer reading. That is what this free generator produces.

Does a car bill of sale need to be notarized?

In most states, no. Louisiana, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, West Virginia and, in some sales, Maryland require or commonly expect notarization. Pick your state in the generator and it warns you automatically.

What about the odometer reading?

Federal law requires an odometer disclosure when transferring a vehicle of model year 2011 or newer. The generator includes the disclosure statement automatically for cars and trucks.

Is the bill of sale enough to transfer ownership?

No. The title must also be signed over to the buyer, and the buyer must apply for a new title and registration. The bill of sale is the record of the transaction itself and is often required alongside the title.

Free Car Bill of Sale: Printable PDF Generator

What a car bill of sale does (and what it does not)

What to include

State notes worth knowing

Car bill of sale: FAQ

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