MAKE YOUR FREE Car Bill of Sale
What is a Car Bill of Sale?
A Car Bill of Sale is a legal document that transfers ownership of a car from a seller to a buyer. Car Bills of Sale only represent the transfer of the right to ownership. The vehicle's Certificate of Title represents actual ownership. Therefore, both the Bill of Sale and the Certificate of Title are needed to complete the transfer of the vehicle.
Be it a car or truck, commuter or off-roader, an automobile may be one of your most valuable assets. Also known as an Automobile Bill of Sale, Vehicle Bill of Sale, or even Auto Bill of Sale, this document allows you to record important vehicle information, such as odometer readings, condition, price, and any warranties, all in one place in case of any disputes.
Some states, including Louisiana, Maryland, Montana, Nebraska, West Virginia, and Wyoming, may require your Car Bill of Sale and your Certificate of Title to be notarized depending on the circumstances. If that’s the case in your state, you may want to use our Notarized Car Bill of Sale. If not, get started now – it’s as simple as answering a few questions!
When to Use a Car Bill of Sale:
- You own a vehicle that you'd like to sell or transfer.
- You plan to buy a vehicle from another person.
Car Bill of Sale FAQs
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How do I write my own Car Bill of Sale?
Making a Car Bill of Sale online is simple. Just answer a few questions and Rocket Lawyer will build your document for you. Consider these questions beforehand to make the process speedier:
- How much will the buyer pay for the vehicle?
- What form of payment will be used by the buyer?
- Is the odometer accurate? Has the car's odometer been altered?
- When will the vehicle be transferred?
If you don't have all of the details you need, you can skip questions and save your document to finish later.
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Who signs a Car Bill of Sale? Does it need notarization?
Both the buyer and seller of the vehicle need to sign the Car Bill of Sale.
In some states, a Car Bill of Sale may need to be notarized. In Louisiana, Maryland, Montana, Nebraska, West Virginia, and Wyoming, the signatures may need to be notarized. Having signatures notarized can also help the Car Bill of Sale be enforced in court.
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How do I handle disagreements or disputes with the buyer after the sale?
The Car Bill of Sale should address how to handle disputes during and after the sale. For example, the Car Bill of Sale may require the parties to mediate any disputes before filing a lawsuit in court.
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At what point do I give the Car Bill of Sale to the buyer?
After the Car Bill of Sale is signed by both parties, legal ownership of the vehicle is transferred, as of the date provided in the document, regardless of which party has possession of the car. The original copy of the Car Bill of Sale is then given to the buyer. The seller should retain a copy or duplicate original.
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Is a Car Bill of Sale the same as a receipt?
Often, courts interpret a Car Bill of Sale as more of a receipt for the property sale than a binding contract. To ensure that the Car Bill of Sale can be enforced in a court of law, you’ll need to include enough specific language in the Car Bill of Sale to ensure its legal enforceability.
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How do I buy a used car from a private seller?
Buying a car directly from a private seller is often much more affordable than buying from a dealer. If you are wanting to buy a car from an individual, you may be wondering how to make sure that your transaction is legal, safe and fair.
Before buying a used car from a third party:
- Verify the status of the title.
- Have your mechanic perform a pre-purchase inspection.
- If they have a loan on the car, verify how you can obtain the title.
- Ask for the most recent emission documents, if required in your state.
- Obtain vehicle history report using the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN).
- Verify the odometer reading and VIN.
- Ask for service records and warranty information.
- Put the transaction in writing with a Car Bill of Sale.
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We guarantee our service is safe and secure, and that properly executed Rocket Lawyer legal documents are legally enforceable under applicable US laws.
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