Overview
Selling or buying a used vehicle in Mississippi? A bill of sale is your proof of the deal — it records who sold what, for how much, and on what date. Mississippi transfers ownership through the signed title and the Application for Mississippi Title and License (Form 78-002), and for a casual sale between individuals a bill of sale is a required supporting document. It also protects both sides: it locks in the price, the exact handover date, and the fact that the seller is no longer responsible for tickets, tolls, or accidents once the keys change hands.
Mississippi requirements
Is a bill of sale required in Mississippi?
Yes — for a casual sale between individuals, Mississippi requires a bill of sale as a supporting document when you apply for a certificate of title (Form 78-002) at the county tax collector's office. It proves the price and sale date and shows you're no longer liable for the vehicle.
Does it need to be notarized?
No. Mississippi does not require the bill of sale or the title assignment to be notarized for a private sale — only a power of attorney would need notarizing. You can notarize the bill of sale voluntarily for extra proof, but it is not needed to transfer the title.
Title transfer deadline
The buyer must apply for a certificate of title (Form 78-002) at the county tax collector's office within 30 days of the purchase. Applying late adds penalties on top of the title fee, so don't wait.
Motor vehicle sales tax
Mississippi charges 5% sales or use tax on private-party sales of vehicles weighing 10,000 pounds or less, paid by the buyer at the county tax collector's office. It's assessed on the net purchase price of the vehicle.
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 Mississippi county 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 Form 78-002 at the county tax collector's office within 30 days.
Ready to create your Mississippi 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
Mississippi bill of sale by vehicle type
The same Mississippibuilder 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 your local county tax collector's office (Mississippi DOR). Confirm the details with your local county tax collector's office (Mississippi DOR).
Mississippi bill of sale FAQ
Does a Mississippi motor vehicle bill of sale need to be notarized?
No. Mississippi does not require a vehicle bill of sale to be notarized. The legal transfer happens through the signed title and Form 78-002 at the county tax collector's office — notarizing is optional and only adds extra proof.
Do I need a bill of sale to sell a car in Mississippi?
Yes — for a casual sale between individuals, the county tax collector requires a bill of sale as a supporting document for the title application. It also 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 Mississippi?
At your local county tax collector's office, which forwards titles to the Mississippi Department of Revenue. The buyer brings the signed title, the bill of sale, a completed Form 78-002, and payment for the title fee and 5% sales tax.
How long do I have to transfer the title in Mississippi?
The buyer has 30 days from the date of purchase to apply for the title at the county tax collector's office. Applying late adds penalties on top of the title fee, so don't wait.
How much is sales tax on a used car in Mississippi?
5% — assessed on the net purchase price for vehicles weighing 10,000 pounds or less. The buyer pays it at the county tax collector's office when transferring the title. This is why an accurate sale price on your bill of sale matters.
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 Mississippi?
Yes — Mississippi 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 county tax collector's office.
Is this Mississippi 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.