Overview
Selling or buying a used vehicle in Pennsylvania? A bill of sale is your proof of the deal — it records who sold what, for how much, and on what date. Pennsylvania transfers ownership through the title assignment, which must be signed in front of a notary, and Form MV-4ST. A bill of sale still 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.
Pennsylvania requirements
Is a bill of sale required in Pennsylvania?
Not strictly. Ownership transfers through the notarized title assignment and Form MV-4ST submitted to PennDOT. But a bill of sale is strongly recommended — it proves the price and sale date and supports the sale if the value or gift status is ever questioned.
Does it need to be notarized?
Yes — for the title. Pennsylvania requires the seller's signature on the title assignment to be notarized (or verified by an authorized PennDOT agent). The bill of sale itself isn't required to be notarized, but the title transfer must be.
Title transfer deadline
The buyer must submit the title transfer to PennDOT within 20 days of the date the title is notarized. Filing late can add penalties and complications, so complete it promptly through an authorized agent.
Motor vehicle sales tax
Pennsylvania charges 6% sales/use tax on the purchase price, paid by the buyer when titling on Form MV-4ST. Allegheny County residents pay 7% and Philadelphia residents pay 8%.
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 Pennsylvania 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 title is notarized and the buyer files Form MV-4ST with a PennDOT agent within 20 days.
Ready to create your Pennsylvania 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
Pennsylvania bill of sale by vehicle type
The same Pennsylvaniabuilder 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 PennDOT (through an authorized agent or tag service). Confirm the details with PennDOT (through an authorized agent or tag service).
Pennsylvania bill of sale FAQ
Does a Pennsylvania motor vehicle bill of sale need to be notarized?
The bill of sale itself doesn't have to be notarized, but the title does. Pennsylvania requires the seller's signature on the title assignment to be notarized or verified by an authorized PennDOT agent — that notarized title is what legally transfers ownership.
Do I need a bill of sale to sell a car in Pennsylvania?
It isn't legally required to transfer the title (the notarized title and Form MV-4ST handle that), but it's strongly recommended. 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 Pennsylvania?
Through PennDOT, usually via an authorized agent, messenger, or tag service rather than a state counter. The buyer brings the notarized title, a completed Form MV-4ST, photo ID, and proof of insurance, and pays the title fee and sales tax.
How long do I have to transfer the title in Pennsylvania?
The buyer has 20 days from the date the title is notarized to submit the transfer to PennDOT. Waiting longer can add penalties and complications, so complete it promptly.
How much is sales tax on a used car in Pennsylvania?
6% of the purchase price statewide — 7% for Allegheny County residents and 8% for Philadelphia residents. The buyer pays it when titling on Form MV-4ST, which 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 Pennsylvania?
Yes — Pennsylvania 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. Note the title transfer still needs to be notarized.
Is this Pennsylvania 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.