Bill of sale personal property

Other Names: Generic Bill of Sale As-is Bill of Sale Simple Bill of Sale Proof of Purchase Proof of Payment Proof of Sale Sales Slip Sales Receipt

What we’ll cover

• About Bills of Sale
• Bill of Sale FAQs
• Bill of Sale checklist

What is a Bill of Sale?

A Bill of Sale is a type of receipt used to transfer ownership of an item. A Bill of Sale can be used for the sale or purchase of any type of valuable personal property, although this one cannot be used to transfer real estate or intellectual property.

This specific Bill of Sale is only used to transfer personal property, like furniture and equipment. Get started on your Bill of Sale with Rocket Lawyer now – it’s as simple as answering a few questions!

When to use a Bill of Sale:

• You own personal property (other than real estate, vehicles, boats, etc.) that you'd like to sell or transfer, and you need a bill of sale for your accounting records.
• You plan to buy property, other than real estate or a vehicle, from another party and you want to have a record of the transaction in writing.

What should I include in a Bill of Sale?

The details to include in a Bill of Sale depend on what you are selling.

All Bills of Sale are intended to document standard transaction details, including the parties involved, the date of the purchase, the price, warranties, and any other details about the purchase.

Additionally, you should include all known identification information for the item being sold. Depending on what is being sold, this may include make, model, VIN, serial number, breed, markings, certificates, or other identifiable details. Since identification details vary greatly by item, it is wise to create a Bill of Sale specific to the type of item to ensure that it includes all required, relevant details. Below are some commonly used specific Bills of Sale:

• General Bill of Sale: Non-specific and suitable for a wide range of personal property transactions.
• Car Bill of Sale: Contains details for the transfer of ownership of cars, trucks, vans, or other vehicles.
• Notarized Car Bill of Sale: In addition to the standard details required for the sale of a vehicle, this document also includes a section for states requiring notarization for vehicle transfers. Some sellers or buyers may also opt for notarization for insurance purposes or when dealing with high-value vehicles.
• Motorcycle Bill of Sale: Contains details for the sale of motorcycles.
• Boat Bill of Sale: Contains details for transferring ownership of boats, vessels, or watercraft.
• Trailer Bill of Sale: Contains details for the transfer of ownership of trailers.
• Horse Bill of Sale: Contains details for the sale and delivery of a horse.
• Livestock Bill of Sale: Contains details for the sale and delivery of one or multiple animals, such as cattle, sheep, goats, or swine.