What Connecticut requires on a bill of sale
Connecticut does not have a single official bill of sale form that the DMV requires. Instead, the state accepts any written record of the sale that includes the essential information: the seller's name and address, the buyer's name and address, the vehicle identification number (VIN), the year, make, and model of the vehicle, the sale price, and the date of the sale. Both the seller and buyer must sign the document.
You can write this on a blank piece of paper, use a template you find online, or purchase a pre-printed bill of sale from an office supply store. The DMV does not mandate a specific format, but the document must be legible and contain all required details. When you submit it with your title transfer paperwork at a DMV office, the staff will verify that the necessary information is present.
The bill of sale serves as proof that money or value changed hands. It protects both you and the buyer by creating a record of who owned the vehicle on what date and for how much. This matters if a dispute arises later or if the vehicle is involved in an accident or citation before the title officially transfers.
Key Takeaways
- Connecticut accepts any written bill of sale as long as it includes the seller's and buyer's names and addresses, the VIN, vehicle year/make/model, sale price, date, and both signatures.
- You do not need to use an official DMV form; a handwritten document or template works as long as it contains all required information.
- The bill of sale must be submitted along with the title process when you transfer ownership at a DMV office.
- Keep a copy for your records, as the bill of sale protects you if questions arise about the sale or the vehicle's condition at the time of transfer.
Information to include on your bill of sale
Start with the seller's full name, street address, city, state, and ZIP code. Then add the buyer's full name and complete address in the same format. Both parties should use the names that appear on their identification documents.
Next, record the vehicle details: the full VIN (found on the dashboard or the title document), the year, make, model, and body style (sedan, truck, SUV, etc.). Include the color and the current odometer reading. These details help may support there is no confusion about which vehicle is being sold.
Write the sale price in both numbers and words—for example, "$5,500 (five thousand five hundred dollars)"—to prevent disputes about the amount. Add the date of the sale. At the bottom, both the seller and buyer must sign and print their names. Some people also add the date each person signed, though Connecticut does not require this.
If the vehicle has a lien (a loan against it), note that on the bill of sale. For example: "Vehicle subject to lien held by [Lender Name]." This alerts the buyer that the seller does not yet own the vehicle free and clear.
When you need a bill of sale in Connecticut
You need a bill of sale whenever you sell a vehicle and the buyer will register it in Connecticut. This includes private sales between individuals, sales from a business to an individual, and sales between family members. The bill of sale is part of the title transfer package you bring to the DMV.
If you are buying a vehicle, ask the seller for a signed bill of sale before you hand over money. Do not rely on a verbal agreement or a text message. A physical, signed document protects you if the seller later claims the sale never happened or if there is a dispute about the price or condition of the vehicle.
If you are selling a vehicle, keep a copy of the signed bill of sale for your records. This proves you no longer own the vehicle as of the sale date, which protects you if the buyer gets into an accident or receives a traffic citation before the title is officially transferred to their name.
Scam alert: Fraudulent bills of sale
Do not sign a bill of sale with false information. Some sellers try to list a lower sale price on the bill of sale than the actual amount paid, hoping to reduce the buyer's registration fees. This is fraud and can result in fines or criminal charges for both parties. The DMV cross-checks bills of sale against registration fees and may investigate discrepancies.
If you are a buyer, never sign a bill of sale that does not match what you actually paid or that lists a vehicle you did not inspect. Scammers sometimes use fake bills of sale to sell the same vehicle to multiple people or to sell a vehicle they do not own. Always verify that the seller's name matches the name on the current title before you hand over money.
Be cautious of sellers who rush you to sign or who refuse to provide a bill of sale. A legitimate private sale includes a written record. If a seller pressures you or avoids putting the agreement in writing, walk away.
What happens after you submit the bill of sale
When you bring the bill of sale to the DMV along with the title and other required documents, the staff will review it to confirm all information is present and legible. If something is missing or unclear, they will ask you to correct it before processing your transfer.
The DMV will keep the bill of sale as part of the title transfer record. You will receive a new title in the buyer's name, usually within two to four weeks if you applied in person. If you mailed your process, processing takes longer—typically four to six weeks.
The bill of sale itself does not need to be notarized in Connecticut, though some people choose to have it notarized for extra protection. Notarization is not required by the DMV and does not speed up the process, but it does add a layer of verification that both parties signed willingly.
Selling a vehicle with a loan against it
If you still owe money on the vehicle, the lender holds the title. You cannot transfer ownership to the buyer until the loan is paid off. On the bill of sale, note that the vehicle is subject to a lien and include the lender's name.
Work with your lender to arrange payoff. Many lenders allow the buyer to pay them directly at closing, or you can pay off the loan yourself before the sale. Once the lien is released, the lender will send you a clear title, which you then sign over to the buyer. Bring both the bill of sale and the clear title to the DMV when you transfer ownership.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I write the bill of sale by hand, or does it have to be typed?
Handwritten bills of sale are acceptable in Connecticut as long as the writing is clear and legible. You can use pen and paper, a computer-printed template, or a pre-printed form from an office supply store. The DMV does not care about the format—only that all required information is present and readable.
Do I need to get the bill of sale notarized?
Notarization is not required by Connecticut law or the DMV. However, some people choose to have a notary public witness the signatures for added protection. If you do notarize it, bring the notarized copy to the DMV along with your other transfer documents.
What if I lost the bill of sale after the sale?
If you are the seller and lost your copy, contact the buyer and ask for theirs. If you are the buyer and lost your copy, you can still transfer the title at the DMV, but you may need to provide other proof of purchase, such as a bank statement or check showing the payment. Contact your local DMV office to ask what documents they will accept.
Can I sell a vehicle without a bill of sale?
Technically, you can transfer a title without a bill of sale if you have other proof of the sale, but the DMV strongly recommends one. A bill of sale is the clearest, simplest proof that the sale occurred and protects both you and the buyer. Without it, disputes are harder to resolve.
What if the buyer and I disagree on the sale price after signing?
The bill of sale is a binding record of the agreed-upon price at the time of sale. If you both signed it, that price is what was paid. If there is a dispute, the bill of sale is the evidence. This is why it is important to make sure the price is correct before anyone signs.