Washington Vehicle Bill of Sale Template

A written record of a private vehicle sale in Washington, naming the buyer, the seller, the vehicle, and the price both sides agreed to.

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how to write a bill of sale

Complete the sale record in three simple steps

1

Open the template

Bring up the Washington vehicle bill of sale template on any screen, ready to complete.

2

Fill in the template

Enter the buyer, seller, vehicle details, sale price, and the date of the sale.

3

Download the template

Save the finished Washington vehicle bill of sale PDF and print copies for both sides.

what is a bill of sale?

A bill of sale is a signed record of a private sale between two people. It names the buyer and the seller, describes the item changing hands, and states the price paid on a given date. For a vehicle, it also lists the make, model, year, and vehicle identification number, giving both parties proof the sale happened and on what terms.

Key Takeaways

  • A bill of sale records the sale
  • Names the buyer and the seller
  • Lists the price and sale date

what does a bill of sale look like?

The Washington bill of sale form for motor vehicles opens with the date and the names and addresses of the buyer and seller, followed by the vehicle description: make, model, year, color, and vehicle identification number. It then states the sale price and any terms, such as sold as-is, before closing with signature lines for both parties.

Bill of sale forms by state

Selling or buying in another state? The rules change with it — notarization, required wording, and the form the DMV accepts all vary. Pick the version for that state:

when do you need a bill of sale?

You need a Washington state vehicle bill of sale form whenever you buy or sell a vehicle or vessel privately, outside a dealership. It backs up the odometer reading, the agreed price, and the transfer of ownership, which matters for registering the vehicle and for tax purposes. Many buyers and sellers also keep one as proof the deal was final, in case a dispute comes up later.

does a bill of sale need to be notarized?

Washington does not require a bill of sale to be notarized for most private vehicle sales. A signature from both the buyer and seller is generally enough to make the document valid. That said, some lenders, insurers, or county offices may ask for a notarized copy in specific cases, so it's worth checking before you finalize a higher-value sale.

what happens if the vehicle description is wrong?

An error in the vehicle identification number, mileage, or vehicle description can delay registration or raise questions about which vehicle was actually sold. If you spot a mistake after signing, both parties should correct it together and initial the change, or download the washington state vehicle bill of sale PDF and draft a new one rather than leaving the record unclear.

Frequently asked questions

In Washington, vehicle title and registration transfers are handled by the Department of Licensing rather than a separate motor vehicle office. A printable bill of sale Washington state buyers and sellers can use is available as a template you fill in yourself, covering the same details a licensing office would expect to see.

The washington dol bill of sale form is not always mandatory, but the Department of Licensing may ask for one to confirm the sale price and date when a vehicle's title is transferred. Using a bill of sale template washington state sellers commonly rely on keeps all the required details in one place.

A vehicle vessel bill of sale washington sellers use for a boat generally follows the same layout as one for a car or truck, but with details specific to the vessel, such as its hull identification number and length, in place of a vehicle identification number and body style.