Documents / Financial
Bill of Sale
Transfer ownership of a vehicle, equipment, or other personal property — with title warranty and as-is terms.
Self-help drafting template
Self-help drafting and electronic signing for ordinary adult transactions. Check the document-specific preparation steps before use.
State-specific. Terms, notices or signing steps change with your state.
Version 2026-09-09.8. No qualified legal review is recorded. Read the complete document and obtain advice for your circumstances.
Before you use this document
- Identify the item and serial/VIN accurately, price, date, condition and any liens.
- Complete title transfer, odometer/tax disclosures and registration separately where required; this form alone does not clear title.
Guidance updated September 8, 2026. Source coverage is limited to the topics described; historical sources are identified. State, local and transaction-specific requirements still apply.
Time
~15 min
Questions
≤ 33
Steps
5
Export
PDF · Word
Answer guided questions, review your draft, and export or request signatures on supported documents.
What we will cover
- 01
Location
Choose the actual location so the preparation guidance and applicable safeguards follow your document.
- 02
Seller & Buyer
- 03
What's Being Sold
- 04
Disclosures & transfer paperwork
- 05
Price & Condition
- 06
Review and generate
Edit, export, and request e-signatures when the document meets its signing requirements.
About this document
A bill of sale is the receipt-plus-contract for selling personal property — vehicles most commonly, but also equipment, boats, instruments, or furniture. It proves the transfer happened, on what date, for how much, and in what condition ('as-is' or with stated warranties), which protects the seller from later liability and the buyer from title surprises.
For vehicles, federal law requires an odometer disclosure on transfer, and most states require the title to be signed over and the sale reported to the DMV within a set window — some require notarization. Quill's vehicle version includes the odometer certification and DMV checklist.
Common questions
Do both parties sign a bill of sale?+
Best practice is yes — seller and buyer — so both acknowledge the price, condition, and transfer. Some states technically require only the seller's signature; a few require notarization for vehicles.
What does 'as-is' actually mean?+
The buyer accepts the item in its current condition with all faults, and the seller disclaims warranties (except the promise that they actually own it free of liens). Courts uphold clear as-is clauses, which is why Quill sets them out in capitals.
Is a bill of sale the same as the vehicle title?+
No. The title is the state's ownership record; the bill of sale documents the transaction. You typically need both — the bill of sale supports the price for sales-tax purposes and protects you until the DMV processes the title transfer.
General information, not legal advice — laws vary by state and change over time.