Overview
Selling or buying a used vehicle in Alaska? A bill of sale is your proof of the deal — it records who sold what, for how much, and on what date. Alaska transfers ownership through the signed title (the Assignment of Vehicle Title) and a Vehicle Transaction Application (Form 812) at the DMV, but a bill of sale protects both sides: it locks in the price, the exact handover date, and the fact that the seller is no longer responsible for tickets or accidents once the keys change hands.
Alaska requirements
Is a bill of sale required in Alaska?
Not for the transfer itself. Ownership passes through the signed title and the Vehicle Transaction Application (Form 812) at the DMV. But a bill of sale is strongly recommended — the DMV itself suggests one, since it proves the price and sale date and shows you're no longer liable for the vehicle.
Does it need to be notarized?
No. Alaska does not require a motor vehicle bill of sale or the title assignment to be notarized. You can notarize it voluntarily for extra proof, but it is not needed to transfer the title.
Title transfer deadline
The buyer must apply for a title in their name within 30 days of purchasing the vehicle. The seller should also report the sale to the DMV promptly to release liability.
Motor vehicle sales tax
Alaska has no statewide sales or use tax, so there is no state tax on a private vehicle sale. Some boroughs and municipalities levy their own local sales tax, so check the rules where you register.
Odometer disclosure
Federal law requires the odometer reading at the time of sale for vehicles under 20 model years old. Record it on both the bill of sale and the title.
How to fill it out
- 1
Enter the sale date and the Alaska city or borough where the sale takes place.
- 2
Add the seller's and buyer's full legal names and addresses.
- 3
Describe the vehicle — make, model, year, color, and 17-character VIN.
- 4
Record the odometer reading and the federal odometer disclosure.
- 5
Enter the purchase price and choose 'as-is' or add warranty terms.
- 6
Both parties sign — then the buyer files the Vehicle Transaction Application (Form 812) at the Alaska DMV within 30 days.
Ready to create your Alaska bill of sale?
Fill the form, watch it build live, and download the PDF — free, no signup.
Open the free builderWhat to include
- Seller & buyer names and addresses
- Make, model, year, color & VIN
- Odometer reading + federal disclosure
- Purchase price & sales-tax note
- “As-is” statement or warranty terms
- Date of sale and signatures
Alaska bill of sale by vehicle type
The same Alaskabuilder works for more than cars — pick your vehicle and the form adapts: the right ID number (a VIN, a boat's HIN, or a serial number) and an odometer reading only where one applies.
- Car bill of sale
- Truck bill of sale
- SUV bill of sale
- Van bill of sale
- Motorcycle bill of sale
- ATV bill of sale
- RV bill of sale
- Camper bill of sale
- Trailer bill of sale
- Boat bill of sale
- Jet Ski bill of sale
- Snowmobile bill of sale
- Golf Cart bill of sale
- Tractor bill of sale
A few differ: boats and jet skis use a Hull ID Number (HIN) instead of a VIN and have no odometer; trailers, campers, snowmobiles, golf carts, and tractors have no odometer either; and boats, ATVs, and snowmobiles often register with a different agency (such as a wildlife, boating, or parks department) rather than the Alaska Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV). Confirm the details with the Alaska Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV).
Alaska bill of sale FAQ
Does an Alaska motor vehicle bill of sale need to be notarized?
No. Alaska does not require a vehicle bill of sale to be notarized, and the title assignment doesn't need it either. The legal transfer happens through the signed title and Form 812 at the DMV — notarizing is optional and only adds extra proof.
Do I need a bill of sale to sell a car in Alaska?
It isn't legally required to transfer the title (the signed title and Form 812 handle that), but the DMV recommends one and so do we. It proves the price, the sale date, and that you're no longer responsible for the vehicle after the sale.
Where do I transfer the title in Alaska?
At the Alaska Division of Motor Vehicles, in person at a local office or by mail to the Anchorage headquarters. The buyer submits the signed title, a completed Vehicle Transaction Application (Form 812), and payment for the title and registration fees.
How long do I have to transfer the title in Alaska?
The buyer has 30 days from the date of purchase to apply for a title in their name at the DMV. The seller should report the sale promptly to release liability, so don't wait.
How much is sales tax on a used car in Alaska?
There is no statewide sales tax in Alaska, so the state charges nothing on a private vehicle sale. Some boroughs and cities impose a local sales tax, so check the rate where you register — your bill of sale still documents the price.
Do both the buyer and seller need to sign?
Yes. Both parties should sign and date the bill of sale, and each keeps a copy. If there are two buyers or two sellers, every party signs.
Is a handwritten bill of sale valid in Alaska?
Yes — Alaska doesn't mandate a specific bill-of-sale form, so a handwritten one is valid as long as it has the key details. A complete, typed document like this one is simply cleaner and far less likely to be questioned at the DMV.
Is this Alaska bill of sale really free?
Yes — completely. Fill it in, preview it live, and download the PDF with no signup, no credit card, and no watermark. Unlike sites that charge a fee or push a subscription to download, there's nothing to pay here.