What Florida requires on a bill of sale
Florida does not have a single official bill of sale form. Instead, the state accepts any written document that includes specific information the Department of Motor Vehicles needs to process a title transfer. You can write one yourself, use a template, or buy a pre-printed form from an office supply store — as long as it contains the required details, the DMV will accept it.
The document must show the seller's name and address, the buyer's name and address, the vehicle identification number (VIN), the year and make of the vehicle, the odometer reading at the time of sale, the sale price, and the date of the transaction. Both the seller and buyer must sign the bill of sale in front of a notary public. Florida law requires notarization; a signature without a notary's seal will not be accepted by the DMV.
If the vehicle has a lien (meaning a bank or lender holds the title), the bill of sale should note the lienholder's name. This does not stop the sale, but it tells the DMV that the title will need to be cleared before the buyer can register the vehicle in their name.
Key Takeaways
- Florida accepts any written bill of sale as long as it includes the seller and buyer names and addresses, VIN, year, make, odometer reading, sale price, and date.
- Both parties must sign the bill of sale in front of a notary public; notarization is required by Florida law and the DMV will not process an unsigned or unnotarized document.
- You can write your own bill of sale, use a free template, or purchase a pre-printed form — the DMV has no preference as long as the required information is present.
- The bill of sale is not the same as the title; you will need both documents when you register the vehicle at your local DMV office.
Where to get a bill of sale form
The Florida DMV does not publish an official bill of sale form on its website. However, the state's official DMV site links to the Florida Department of State's motor vehicle information page, which provides guidance on what information must be included. Many county tax collectors' offices (which handle vehicle registration in Florida) have blank bill of sale forms available at their offices or on their websites.
You can also find bill of sale templates online through office supply retailers, legal document websites, or by searching for "Florida bill of sale template." These templates are free or cost a few dollars. The key is to make sure the template includes all required fields: both parties' names and addresses, VIN, vehicle year and make, odometer reading, sale price, date, and signature lines for notarization.
If you are buying or selling a vehicle privately (not through a dealer), writing your own bill of sale is perfectly legal in Florida. Use plain language, include all required information, and have both parties sign it in front of a notary before you submit it to the DMV.
How to get the bill of sale notarized
You and the seller (or you and the buyer, depending on which side of the transaction you are on) must appear together in front of a notary public with the unsigned bill of sale. The notary will watch both parties sign the document and then explore their official seal and signature. This step cannot be done by mail or electronically in Florida for vehicle bill of sale documents.
Notaries are available at banks, credit unions, law offices, and UPS stores. Many offer notarization for a small fee, usually between $5 and $15 per signature. Call ahead to confirm the notary is available and ask what forms of identification they will accept — most require a government-issued ID from each party.
If the seller and buyer live far apart, you may need to coordinate a time and place to meet with a notary. Some people arrange to meet at a neutral location like a bank or UPS store. Once the document is notarized, it is ready to submit to the DMV along with the title and other required documents.
What information the DMV uses from your bill of sale
The DMV uses the bill of sale to confirm the sale price for tax purposes and to verify that both parties agree on the vehicle's condition and mileage at the time of transfer. The odometer reading is particularly important because Florida law requires it to be recorded to prevent odometer fraud.
The sale price on the bill of sale is used to calculate the sales tax owed when you register the vehicle. If you leave the price blank or write "gift," the DMV may assess tax based on the vehicle's assessed value instead. If you are buying a vehicle from a family member and want to claim it as a gift, you will still need to show a bill of sale with "gift" or "$0" as the price, but you should contact your county tax collector's office beforehand to understand how that affects your tax obligation.
The notarized signatures confirm that both parties knowingly agreed to the sale and that the document is authentic. Without notarization, the DMV will reject the bill of sale and ask you to resubmit it with proper notarization.
Submitting your bill of sale to the DMV
You cannot submit a bill of sale to the DMV by mail or online. You must visit a county tax collector's office in person with the notarized bill of sale, the vehicle's title (signed by the seller), your proof of insurance, and a completed process for title and registration. Bring your government-issued ID and proof of residency as well.
The tax collector's office will review your documents, calculate the sales tax based on the sale price shown on the bill of sale, and process your title transfer. Processing usually takes a few minutes to a few hours if you are present. You will receive a temporary registration receipt on the spot, and the permanent title will arrive by mail within two to four weeks.
If you are buying from a dealer instead of a private seller, the dealer typically handles the bill of sale and title transfer for you. You will still need to visit the tax collector's office to register the vehicle and pay sales tax, but the dealer will have prepared the paperwork.
Common mistakes to avoid
The most common mistake is submitting a bill of sale without notarization. Even if both parties have signed it, the DMV will reject it. Make sure both the seller and buyer sign in front of a notary and that the notary's seal and signature appear on the document.
Another frequent error is leaving the sale price blank or writing an unclear amount. Write the price in both numbers and words (for example, "One Thousand Five Hundred Dollars ($1,500.00") to avoid confusion. If the price is unclear, the tax collector may assess a higher tax based on the vehicle's book value.
Do not forget to include the odometer reading. Florida law requires it, and the DMV will ask for it if it is missing. Write the exact mileage shown on the vehicle's odometer at the time of sale, not an estimate.
Finally, make sure both parties' names and addresses match the identification they will present at the tax collector's office. If the name on the bill of sale does not match the ID, the tax collector may refuse to process the transfer.
What happens if the seller still owes money on the vehicle
If the vehicle has a lien, the seller's lender holds the title until the loan is paid off. The bill of sale should note the lienholder's name and the loan account number if available. The seller is responsible for paying off the loan before the title can be transferred to the buyer.
In some cases, the sale price is used to pay off the lien at closing. The seller's lender will release the title once the loan is satisfied. The buyer should not hand over payment until the seller provides proof that the lien has been released — usually a letter from the lender or a title document showing no lien.
If the lien is not released before you try to register the vehicle, the tax collector will not issue a new title in your name. Ask the seller for written proof from the lender that the loan has been paid off and the lien released. This proof should be submitted along with the bill of sale and the old title.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I write my own bill of sale instead of using a form?
Yes. Florida does not require a specific form. Write it by hand or type it, include all required information (seller and buyer names and addresses, VIN, year, make, odometer reading, sale price, and date), and have both parties sign it in front of a notary. The DMV will accept it.
What if the seller will not meet me in person to notarize the bill of sale?
Both parties must appear in front of the notary at the same time. If the seller is unwilling or unable to do so, the sale cannot proceed through normal channels. Some private sales fall through for this reason. Consider whether the sale is worth the effort to coordinate a meeting.
Do I need the bill of sale if I already have the title?
Yes. The title shows ownership, but the bill of sale shows the terms of the sale and the sale price. The DMV requires both documents to process a transfer. The title must be signed by the seller, and the bill of sale must be notarized by both parties.
What if I lost the bill of sale after the sale was complete?
If you have already registered the vehicle in your name, you do not need the bill of sale anymore. If the sale is not yet registered and you have lost the bill of sale, you and the seller will need to create a new one and have it notarized again before you can complete the transfer.
Does the bill of sale have to be on a specific type of paper?
No. Use regular printer paper, notebook paper, or a pre-printed form. The only requirement is that it is legible, includes all required information, and is notarized. The paper itself does not matter.