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Legal form · Vehicles · 15 states published

Vehicle Bill of Sale

A vehicle bill of sale is a signed record that a seller transferred a car, truck or motorcycle to a buyer on a given date, for a given price.

As of October 26, 2026, in Arizona, the buyer has 15 days to title the vehicle.1

As of October 25, 2026, in California, the buyer has 10 days to title the vehicle, the seller’s window to report the sale is 5 days and the state publishes its own bill of sale form.2–4

As of October 26, 2026, in Florida, the buyer has 30 days to title the vehicle, the seller’s window to report the sale is 30 days and the state publishes its own bill of sale form.5–7

Updated How we check

Vehicle Bill of Sale rules by state

Vehicle Bill of Sale: rules by state
StateBuyer must title withinSeller’s notice windowOfficial state formChecked
Arizona15 days1——
California10 days25 days3Yes4
Florida30 days530 days6Yes7
Georgia——Yes8
Illinois———
Massachusetts10 days9——
Michigan15 days10——
New Jersey———
New York——Yes11
North Carolina28 days12——
Ohio30 days13——
Pennsylvania20 days14——
Texas30 days1530 days15—
Virginia30 days16—Yes17
Washington15 days18—Yes19
See the bill of sale rules

$9.95 per document, filled in for your state. Government forms are free on each agency’s website. You pay for the preparation, never for the form.

When to use one

  • You are selling or buying a used vehicle from a private party.
  • You are giving a vehicle to a family member and want the date and value on paper.
  • Your state asks for a bill of sale with the title application, or you want proof of the sale date for the seller’s release of liability.

Not the right document? It does not replace the title. Ownership moves when the signed title and the state’s title application reach the motor vehicle agency.

Who signs

Seller
The person whose name is on the title
Buyer
The person taking ownership

Have at hand

  • Vehicle identification number (VIN), year, make, model and plate
  • Odometer reading on the day of sale
  • Sale price, or the value if it is a gift
  • Full legal names and addresses of seller and buyer

What our bill of sale covers

  1. 1The parties
  2. 2The vehicle
  3. 3Purchase price or gift
  4. 4Odometer statement
  5. 5Condition and warranty
  6. 6Ownership and title
  7. 7Title, registration and taxes
  8. 8Entire agreement
  9. 9Signatures

SimplePaperwork is not a law firm and does not give legal advice. We explain public forms and official steps, and you decide what to sign and file.

Where this information comes from

State rules come from each state’s own statutes, agency pages and forms, with the date we read them.

  1. Arizona Revised Statutes Section 28-2058, Transfer of title; odometer mileage disclosure statement azleg.gov · checked Oct 26, 2026 Open the official page (opens in a new tab) ↩
  2. California Vehicle Code Section 5902 leginfo.legislature.ca.gov · checked Oct 25, 2026 Open the official page (opens in a new tab) ↩
  3. California Vehicle Code Section 5900 leginfo.legislature.ca.gov · checked Oct 25, 2026 Open the official page (opens in a new tab) ↩
  4. Title Transfers and Changes (California DMV) dmv.ca.gov · checked Oct 25, 2026 Open the official page (opens in a new tab) ↩
  5. Florida Statutes Section 319.23 (2026), Application for, and issuance of, certificate of title flsenate.gov · checked Oct 26, 2026 Open the official page (opens in a new tab) ↩
  6. Florida Statutes Section 319.22 (2026), Transfer of title flsenate.gov · checked Oct 26, 2026 Open the official page (opens in a new tab) ↩
  7. Notice of Sale and/or Bill of Sale for a Motor Vehicle, Mobile Home, Off-Highway Vehicle or Vessel (HSMV 82050, Rev. 03/21) flhsmv.gov · checked Oct 26, 2026 Open the official page (opens in a new tab) ↩
  8. How Do I Sell a Car? (Georgia Department of Revenue) dor.georgia.gov · checked Oct 26, 2026 Open the official page (opens in a new tab) ↩
  9. Apply for a Registration and Title for a Vehicle Purchased from an Individual (Massachusetts RMV) mass.gov · checked Oct 26, 2026 Open the official page (opens in a new tab) ↩
  10. Buying, selling, or leasing (Michigan Department of State) michigan.gov · checked Oct 26, 2026 Open the official page (opens in a new tab) ↩
  11. Buy, Sell, or Transfer Vehicle Ownership (NY DMV) dmv.ny.gov · checked Oct 26, 2026 Open the official page (opens in a new tab) ↩
  12. North Carolina General Statutes Chapter 20, Article 3 (Motor Vehicle Act of 1937) ncleg.gov · checked Oct 26, 2026 Open the official page (opens in a new tab) ↩
  13. Ohio Revised Code Section 4505.06, Application for certificate of title codes.ohio.gov · checked Oct 26, 2026 Open the official page (opens in a new tab) ↩
  14. Pennsylvania Vehicle Code, 75 Pa.C.S. § 1111, Transfer of ownership of vehicle palegis.us · checked Oct 26, 2026 Open the official page (opens in a new tab) ↩
  15. Buying or Selling a Vehicle (TxDMV) txdmv.gov · checked Oct 25, 2026 Open the official page (opens in a new tab) ↩
  16. Code of Virginia § 46.2-630, Transfer and application for certificate of title forwarded to Department law.lis.virginia.gov · checked Oct 26, 2026 Open the official page (opens in a new tab) ↩
  17. Title Your Vehicle or Trailer (Virginia DMV) dmv.virginia.gov · checked Oct 26, 2026 Open the official page (opens in a new tab) ↩
  18. RCW 46.12.650, Releasing interest, reports of sale and transfer of ownership app.leg.wa.gov · checked Oct 26, 2026 Open the official page (opens in a new tab) ↩
  19. Vehicle/Vessel Bill of Sale (TD-420-065, R/4/24) dol.wa.gov · checked Oct 26, 2026 Open the official page (opens in a new tab) ↩