Overview
Selling or buying a used vehicle in New Jersey? A bill of sale is your proof of the deal — it records who sold what, for how much, and on what date. New Jersey transfers ownership through the signed-over title and a Universal Title Application (OS/SS-UTA) at the MVC, 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, tolls, or accidents once the keys change hands.
New Jersey requirements
Is a bill of sale required in New Jersey?
Ownership transfers through the signed-over title and a Universal Title Application at the MVC. A bill of sale is strongly recommended — it proves the price and sale date and shows you're no longer liable for the vehicle, and the MVC may ask for one to back up the declared price.
Does it need to be notarized?
No. New Jersey does not require the title assignment or bill of sale to be notarized for a standard private sale. (Notarization is only needed in special cases, such as signing under a power of attorney.)
Title transfer deadline
The buyer must transfer the title at the MVC within 10 working days of the sale to avoid a $25 late penalty. New owners then have 60 days to complete registration.
Motor vehicle sales tax
New Jersey charges 6.625% sales or use tax on a vehicle purchase, paid by the buyer at the MVC when titling. For private-party sales the buyer owes use tax on the purchase price; the MVC may use the vehicle's value if the reported price looks low.
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 New Jersey municipality 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 titles at the NJ MVC within 10 working days using the Universal Title Application.
Ready to create your New Jersey 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
New Jersey bill of sale by vehicle type
The same New Jerseybuilder 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 New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (NJ MVC). Confirm the details with the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (NJ MVC).
New Jersey bill of sale FAQ
Does a New Jersey motor vehicle bill of sale need to be notarized?
No. New Jersey does not require a vehicle bill of sale or the title assignment to be notarized for a standard private sale. The legal transfer happens through the signed title and Universal Title Application at the MVC — notarizing is optional and only adds extra proof.
Do I need a bill of sale to sell a car in New Jersey?
The signed-over title and Universal Title Application handle the legal transfer, but a bill of sale is strongly recommended. It proves the price, the sale date, and that you're no longer responsible for the vehicle after the sale, and the MVC may ask for one.
Where do I transfer the title in New Jersey?
At a New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) agency. The buyer brings the signed-over title, a completed Universal Title Application (OS/SS-UTA), proof of insurance, and payment for the title fee and sales tax.
How long do I have to transfer the title in New Jersey?
The buyer has 10 working days from the date of sale to transfer the title at the MVC. Miss that window and New Jersey adds a $25 late penalty, so don't wait.
How much is sales tax on a used car in New Jersey?
6.625% — the buyer pays it at the MVC when titling the vehicle. It's based on the purchase price, so an accurate price on your bill of sale matters; the MVC may use the vehicle's value if the reported price looks too low.
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 New Jersey?
Yes — New Jersey doesn't mandate a specific form, so a handwritten bill of sale 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 MVC.
Is this New Jersey 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.