Overview
Selling or buying a used vehicle in Texas? A bill of sale is your proof of the deal — it records who sold what, for how much, and on what date. Texas transfers ownership through the signed title and Form 130-U, 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 tolls, tickets, or accidents once the keys change hands.
Texas requirements
Is a bill of sale required in Texas?
Not strictly. Ownership transfers through the signed title and Form 130-U at your county tax office. But a bill of sale is strongly recommended — it proves the price and sale date and shows you're no longer liable for the vehicle.
Does it need to be notarized?
No. Texas does not require a motor vehicle bill of sale to be notarized. You can notarize it voluntarily for extra proof, but it is not needed to transfer the title.
Title transfer deadline
The buyer must apply for a new title (Form 130-U) at the county tax assessor-collector's office within 30 days of the sale. Filing late adds a financial penalty.
Motor vehicle sales tax
Texas charges 6.25% motor vehicle sales tax, paid by the buyer at the county tax office. For private-party used sales it's based on the greater of the sale price or 80% of the vehicle's Standard Presumptive Value (SPV).
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 Texas 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 130-U at the county tax office within 30 days.
Ready to create your Texas 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
Texas bill of sale by vehicle type
The same Texasbuilder 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 assessor-collector's office (TxDMV). Confirm the details with your local county tax assessor-collector's office (TxDMV).
Texas bill of sale FAQ
Does a Texas motor vehicle bill of sale need to be notarized?
No. Texas does not require a vehicle bill of sale to be notarized. The legal transfer happens through the signed title and Form 130-U at your county tax office — notarizing is optional and only adds extra proof.
Do I need a bill of sale to sell a car in Texas?
It isn't legally required to transfer the title (the signed title and Form 130-U 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 Texas?
At your local county tax assessor-collector's office — not a DMV counter. The buyer brings the signed title, a completed Form 130-U, proof of insurance, and payment for the title fee and sales tax.
How long do I have to transfer the title in Texas?
The buyer has 30 days from the date of sale to transfer the title at the county tax office. After 30 days, Texas charges a late-transfer penalty that increases over time, so don't wait.
How much is sales tax on a used car in Texas?
6.25% — calculated on the greater of the sale price or 80% of the vehicle's Standard Presumptive Value (SPV). The buyer pays it at the county tax 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 Texas?
Yes — Texas 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 tax office.
Is this Texas 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.