Overview
Selling or buying a used vehicle in Missouri? A bill of sale is your proof of the deal — it records who sold what, for how much, and on what date. Missouri transfers ownership through the assigned title and an Application for Missouri Title and License (Form 108), but a bill of sale (Form 1957) 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.
Missouri requirements
Is a bill of sale required in Missouri?
Not usually. Ownership transfers through the assigned title and Form 108 at a Missouri license office. A bill of sale (Form 1957) is recommended in every sale and is specifically required in some cases — for example a rebuilt vehicle or when the title assignment has errors.
Does it need to be notarized?
Usually not. Title assignment signatures don't have to be notarized. A notarized bill of sale is required only in certain situations — such as proving ownership of major parts on a rebuilt vehicle, fixing strike-overs on the title, or when the Department of Revenue requests it.
Title transfer deadline
The buyer must title the vehicle and pay sales tax within 30 days of purchase at a Missouri license office. Miss the deadline and a $25 penalty starts on day 31, increasing $25 every 30 days up to a $200 maximum.
Motor vehicle sales tax
Missouri charges 4.225% state sales tax plus your local sales tax, paid by the buyer at the license office. It's calculated on the purchase price, less any trade-in allowance.
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 Missouri 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 108 at a Missouri license office within 30 days.
Ready to create your Missouri 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
Missouri bill of sale by vehicle type
The same Missouribuilder 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 a Missouri license office (Department of Revenue). Confirm the details with a Missouri license office (Department of Revenue).
Missouri bill of sale FAQ
Does a Missouri motor vehicle bill of sale need to be notarized?
Usually no. A standard private-party bill of sale (Form 1957) doesn't need to be notarized, and neither do the title-assignment signatures. Notarization is required only in specific cases, such as a rebuilt vehicle or when the Department of Revenue asks for it.
Do I need a bill of sale to sell a car in Missouri?
It isn't always required to transfer the title (the assigned title and Form 108 handle that), but it's strongly recommended — and required in some situations. 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 Missouri?
At any Missouri license office, which handles titling for the Department of Revenue. The buyer brings the assigned title, a completed Form 108, proof of insurance, an odometer statement when required, and payment for the title fee and sales tax.
How long do I have to transfer the title in Missouri?
The buyer has 30 days from the date of purchase to title the vehicle and pay sales tax. After that, a $25 late penalty applies on day 31 and grows $25 for every additional 30 days, up to a $200 maximum — so don't wait.
How much is sales tax on a used car in Missouri?
4.225% state tax plus your local sales tax, calculated on the purchase price minus any trade-in allowance. The buyer pays it at the license office when titling. 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 Missouri?
Yes — a handwritten bill of sale is valid as long as it has the key details, though the state's Form 1957 is the standard. A complete, typed document like this one is simply cleaner and far less likely to be questioned at the license office.
Is this Missouri 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.