A bill of sale is a short document that records the sale of goods from a seller to a buyer and the transfer of ownership. It is common for private sales of vehicles, equipment, furniture and other second-hand items. It states who sold what to whom, for how much, on what date, and that the item is sold as-is.
What to include on a bill of sale
- The seller and the buyer (names and addresses)
- A clear description of the item(s) — include a serial or VIN in the description where relevant
- The sale price and the date of sale
- An as-is statement and that the seller is the lawful owner
- Signatures from both the seller and the buyer
When you need one
A bill of sale is the buyer’s proof of purchase and the seller’s proof that ownership (and liability) has passed. For vehicles it is often needed to register the change of ownership. Requirements vary by state, province and country, so check what your local authority asks for — this tool gives you a clean, general-purpose bill of sale to start from.
