Overview
Selling or buying a used vehicle in New York? A bill of sale is your proof of the deal — it records who sold what, for how much, and on what date. New York requires a Vehicle Bill of Sale (Form MV-912) alongside the signed-over title, and it 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 York requirements
Is a bill of sale required in New York?
Yes. New York requires a Vehicle Bill of Sale (Form MV-912) for a private sale — even for a gift — along with the signed-over title. It proves the price and sale date and shows you're no longer liable for the vehicle.
Does it need to be notarized?
No. New York does not require the bill of sale or the signatures on the title to be notarized. (One exception: the title's transfer section must be notarized if the proof of ownership is a title from certain other states.)
Title transfer deadline
New York doesn't set a fixed day count for a private-sale title transfer, but you can't legally drive until the vehicle is registered, titled, and insured. The buyer registers and titles at a local DMV office — do it promptly.
Motor vehicle sales tax
New York sales tax is based on where the buyer lives — a 4% state rate plus the local county/city rate, commonly around 7–8.875%. The buyer pays it at the DMV and files Form DTF-802 (Statement of Transaction) to declare the price.
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 York 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 Form MV-912 — then the buyer registers and titles at a DMV office with Form MV-82 and DTF-802.
Ready to create your New York 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 York bill of sale by vehicle type
The same New Yorkbuilder 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 New York DMV office. Confirm the details with your local New York DMV office.
New York bill of sale FAQ
Does a New York motor vehicle bill of sale need to be notarized?
No. New York does not require a vehicle bill of sale or the signatures on the title to be notarized. The one exception is that the title's transfer section must be notarized when the proof of ownership is a title from certain other states.
Do I need a bill of sale to sell a car in New York?
Yes. New York requires a Vehicle Bill of Sale (Form MV-912) for a private sale — even for a gift — along with the signed-over title. 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 New York?
At a local New York DMV office. The buyer brings the signed-over title, a completed Bill of Sale (MV-912), a Vehicle Registration/Title Application (MV-82), Form DTF-802, proof of insurance, and payment for the fees and sales tax.
How long do I have to transfer the title in New York?
New York doesn't fix a specific number of days for a private-sale title transfer, but the vehicle must be registered, titled, and insured before you can legally drive it. Register and title at the DMV promptly.
How much is sales tax on a used car in New York?
It depends on where you live. New York applies a 4% state rate plus your local county or city rate — commonly around 7% to 8.875%. The buyer pays it at the DMV and files Form DTF-802 to declare the price, so an accurate 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 New York?
New York provides Form MV-912 for private sales, and using it is the safest route. A handwritten bill of sale can work if it has all the key details, but a complete, typed document like this one is cleaner and far less likely to be questioned at the DMV.
Is this New York 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.