What a Bill of Sale Is and Why New York Requires It

A bill of sale is a written record that you and the buyer (or seller) sign to document that a vehicle has changed hands. In New York, the bill of sale serves as proof of the transaction and protects both parties by creating a dated record of who owned the vehicle and when ownership transferred. The New York DMV does not issue a single required form — instead, you can use the official DMV bill of sale form, a form from your insurance company, or any written document that contains the required information.

You need a bill of sale before you can register the vehicle in the new owner's name at the DMV. If you are selling a vehicle, the bill of sale protects you by showing you no longer own it on a specific date. If you are buying, it proves you purchased the vehicle and establishes the sale price for tax purposes.

Key Takeaways

  • New York does not mandate a specific bill of sale form, but the DMV provides an official form that includes all required fields.
  • The bill of sale must include the vehicle identification number (VIN), sale price, date of sale, and signatures from both buyer and seller.
  • You can obtain the official DMV bill of sale form from the DMV website, a DMV office, or use a form from your insurance company or a private seller.
  • The buyer must bring the signed bill of sale to the DMV when registering the vehicle in their name.
  • Keep a copy of the signed bill of sale for your records — the seller should keep one and the buyer should keep one.

Information Required on a New York Bill of Sale

Whether you use the official DMV form or write your own, the bill of sale must contain specific information. Include the full legal names and addresses of both the seller and the buyer. Write out the vehicle identification number (VIN) exactly as it appears on the title or registration — do not abbreviate or guess. Include the year, make, model, and body type of the vehicle.

Record the sale price in dollars. This amount is used to calculate the sales tax owed when the buyer registers the vehicle. Include the date the sale occurred — this is the date both parties sign, not a future date. If the vehicle is being sold "as is" with no warranty, you can note that on the form. Some sellers also note the odometer reading, though this is not required in New York for most private sales.

Both the seller and buyer must sign and print their names. If the vehicle has a lien (meaning a bank or lender still holds the title), note the lender's name and address on the bill of sale. The buyer will need to work with the lender to satisfy the lien before the title transfers completely.

Where to Get the Official DMV Bill of Sale Form

The New York DMV provides a bill of sale form called the Notice of Sale of Motor Vehicle (Form MV-83). You can read this form from the DMV website at dmv.ny.gov. Search for "bill of sale" or "MV-83" to find the PDF. Print two copies — one for the seller and one for the buyer.

You can also pick up a printed copy at any DMV office. Call ahead or check the DMV website to confirm the office has copies in stock. Some insurance companies and car dealerships also provide their own bill of sale forms, which are acceptable as long as they include all the required information listed above.

If you write your own bill of sale instead of using a form, make sure it is legible and includes all required fields. Handwritten bills of sale are acceptable in New York. Type or print clearly so the DMV can read the VIN and other details when the buyer submits it during registration.

How to Fill Out and Sign the Bill of Sale

Complete the bill of sale in full before either party signs. Use black or blue ink and print clearly. Fill in the seller's name, address, and phone number in the designated section. Then fill in the buyer's name, address, and phone number. Write the VIN exactly as it appears on the vehicle's title or registration — this is the most important field and must be accurate.

Enter the sale price as a dollar amount. Write the date of the sale. If there is a lien on the vehicle, write the lender's name and address. Both the seller and buyer should read the completed form to make sure all information is correct before signing.

The seller signs and prints their name in the signature section. The buyer then signs and prints their name. Both signatures must be dated. Some forms ask for a witness signature, but New York does not require a notary or witness for a private bill of sale — only the buyer and seller need to sign. If either party is uncomfortable with the transaction, they should not sign.

What Happens After You Sign the Bill of Sale

After both parties sign, make copies. The seller should keep one copy for their records. The buyer must keep the original or a copy to bring to the DMV. The bill of sale is now proof that the sale occurred and that ownership transferred on the date signed.

The buyer will use the bill of sale when they go to the DMV to register the vehicle in their name. They will need to bring the bill of sale, the vehicle title (if available), proof of identity, proof of residency, and payment for registration and title fees. The DMV will review the bill of sale to confirm the sale price and calculate sales tax owed.

The seller's responsibility ends once the bill of sale is signed. However, the seller should not transfer the license plates to the buyer unless the buyer requests it. In New York, the seller typically keeps the plates and the buyer obtains new plates at the DMV. If the seller is transferring plates, note this on the bill of sale.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Completing a Bill of Sale

The most common error is writing the VIN incorrectly. Copy it directly from the title, registration, or the vehicle itself — do not try to remember it or guess. A wrong VIN will delay or prevent the buyer from registering the vehicle. Double-check the VIN before signing.

Do not leave fields blank. If a field does not explore to your sale (for example, there is no lien), write "N/A" or "none" rather than leaving it empty. This shows the form was completed intentionally and not accidentally left incomplete.

Do not sign the bill of sale before both parties have reviewed it and agreed on all information. Once signed, it is a legal record of the transaction. Do not backdate or postdate the bill of sale — use the actual date the sale occurred and both parties are signing.

Do not forget to make copies. The buyer needs a copy to bring to the DMV, and the seller needs a copy for their records. If either party loses their copy, they can request a duplicate from the other party, but it is easier to make copies at the time of signing.

If You Are Buying a Vehicle Without a Title

In some cases, a buyer may purchase a vehicle from a private seller who does not have the title in hand — for example, if the title was lost or the seller is waiting for it to arrive from the previous owner. You can still complete a bill of sale, but the buyer should be aware that they cannot register the vehicle until the title is obtained.

The bill of sale documents the sale and the buyer's ownership claim. The buyer can then contact the DMV to request a duplicate title or work with the seller to obtain the original title from the previous owner. The bill of sale serves as proof of purchase during this process. Do not complete the sale without a bill of sale, even if the title is delayed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to notarize the bill of sale in New York?

No. New York does not require the bill of sale to be notarized for a private vehicle sale. Both the buyer and seller straightforward need to sign and print their names. A notary is not necessary, though some people choose to have it notarized for extra protection.

What if the seller and buyer cannot meet in person to sign?

Both parties must sign the bill of sale, but they do not have to sign at the same time or place. The seller can sign first and give the form to the buyer, who then signs. However, both signatures must be on the same document before the buyer takes it to the DMV. Do not sign separate copies.

Can I use a bill of sale from an online template or my insurance company?

Yes. Any written bill of sale that includes the required information — VIN, sale price, date, buyer and seller names and addresses, and both signatures — is acceptable to the New York DMV. You do not have to use the official DMV form, though it is the simplest option.

What if I sold the vehicle but the buyer has not registered it yet?

Keep your copy of the signed bill of sale. It proves you sold the vehicle and transferred ownership on a specific date. If the buyer does not register it and something happens to the vehicle, the bill of sale protects you by showing you no longer owned it. You can also contact the DMV if you need to report that you sold the vehicle.

Is the bill of sale the same as the title?

No. The bill of sale is a record of the sale transaction. The title is the legal document that shows who owns the vehicle. The buyer uses the bill of sale to obtain or transfer the title at the DMV. The seller keeps the title until the buyer registers the vehicle, at which point the title transfers to the buyer's name.