Is a bill of sale required in Minnesota?

A bill of sale is commonly used to document the transaction and support title transfer and registration. While title assignment on the certificate is primary, a bill of sale provides additional evidence of sale and consideration and is recommended.

Do I need to notarize the bill of sale?

Notarization is not universally required for private vehicle sales in Minnesota, but some lenders, buyers, or agencies may request a notarized document. Check title and lienholder requirements before completing the transaction.

Can I use an electronic signature?

Electronic signatures are generally valid under ESIGN and UETA where applicable. Ensure the platform you use captures an audit trail and that both parties consent to electronic records when the transaction involves consumer-facing disclosures.

What supporting documents should I include?

Include the vehicle title properly assigned, any lien release, odometer disclosure if required, and proof of payment. Keep copies for both parties and provide what local registration authorities require.

How do I correct a mistake on the form?

Avoid handwritten corrections on critical fields. If an error exists, complete a new bill of sale or follow state guidance for corrections; both parties should initial any minor amendments to reduce dispute risk.

When should I notify the state or insurer?

Notify the buyer’s insurer immediately and complete title transfer or registration promptly. Sellers should inform their insurer and remove or transfer plates per Minnesota practices to limit liability.

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Minnesota Motor Vehicle Bill of Sale

Minnesota Motor Vehicle Bill of Sale

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BILL OF SALE OF AUTOMOBILE

To be completed upon sale of motor vehicle.

State of Minnesota

County of

$

FOR AND IN CONSIDERATION OF Dollars ($) cash in hand, paid me this day in full by , "Buyer(s)", “Seller(s)” do hereby bargain and sell to Buyer(s) the following personal property:

One (1) Motor Vehicle

Make

Model

Body Type

Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)

Year:

The said property I guarantee is my own and free of all claims and offsets of any and all kinds.

To have and to hold the same unto Buyer(s) and Buyer(s) executors, administrators and assigns, forever.

This vehicle is sold “as-is” without any warranties, express or implied, as to the condition of such vehicle. By accepting this Bill of Sale, Buyer(s) represent that Buyer(s) have personally inspected the vehicle and accepts the vehicle “as-is”.

Seller(s)

Signature

Print Name:

Signature

Print Name:

SWORN TO AND SUBSCRIBED BEFORE ME, this the day of

My Commission Expires:

NOTARY PUBLIC

U.S. Legal Forms, Inc. http://www.uslegalforms.com

Form US-00431B

ODOMETER DISCLOSURE STATEMENT

To be completed by Transferor (Seller)

Federal law (and State law, if applicable) requires that you state the mileage upon transfer of ownership. Failure to complete or providing a false statement may result in fines and/or imprisonment.

I, state that the odometer now reads miles and to the best of my knowledge that it reflects the actual mileage of the vehicle described below, unless one of the following statements is checked.

I hereby certify that to the best of my knowledge the odometer reading reflects the amount of mileage in excess of its mechanical limits.

I hereby certify that the odometer reading is NOT the actual mileage.
WARNING - ODOMETER DISCREPANCY.

Make

Model

Body Type

Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)

Year:

Signature of Transferor (Seller):

Transferor's (Seller's) Information

Transferor's Name (Please Type or Print):

Street Address:

City:

State:

Zip:

Transferee's (Buyer's) Information

Transferee's Name (Please Type or Print):

Street Address:

City:

State:

Zip:

Signature of Transferee (Buyer):

DATE OF STATEMENT:

STATE OF MINNESOTA

COUNTY OF

SWORN TO AND SUBSCRIBED BEFORE ME, this the day of

My Commission Expires:

NOTARY PUBLIC

ORIGINAL MUST BE PROVIDED WITH APPLICATION FOR A CERTIFICATE OF TITLE

What the Minnesota Motor Vehicle Bill of Sale Is

A Minnesota Motor Vehicle Bill of Sale is a written record documenting the sale or transfer of a motor vehicle between a seller and a buyer. It records essential transaction details—vehicle description, sale price, odometer reading when required, buyer and seller information, and the effective date—so both parties have evidence of the transfer. In Minnesota, the bill of sale supports title transfer and registration with Driver and Vehicle Services and serves as proof of consideration and change of ownership for insurance and tax purposes.

Why a Clear Bill of Sale Matters in Minnesota

A complete bill of sale reduces disputes about ownership, establishes when liability transfers, and supports timely title and registration actions.

Who Typically Completes a Minnesota Vehicle Bill of Sale

Sellers and buyers use the bill of sale to document the transaction and to satisfy state registration and insurance requirements.

Private sellers: Document a one-time transfer between individuals.
Dealers and brokers: Use standardized forms for inventory and resale tracking.
Fleet and business sellers: Record multiple transfers and lien releases for accounting.

Core Elements of a Professional Minnesota Bill of Sale

A professional bill of sale presents consistent fields and clear language so the document is usable for title transfer, insurance, and tax purposes.

Vehicle Details

Year, make, model, vehicle identification number (VIN) and license plate details to uniquely identify the vehicle.

Sale Terms

Purchase price, whether sale is 'as-is', any warranties, and payment method to document consideration and conditions.

Odometer Statement

Odometer reading if required by federal/state law to support title transfer and federal odometer disclosure rules.

Parties

Full legal names and addresses for buyer and seller; include business name and representative if applicable.

Lien Information

Existing lienholder name and release details to show the vehicle is free of encumbrances or how liens will be satisfied.

Signatures

Signed and dated signature blocks for buyer and seller; notarization or witness lines if state or buyer requires them.

Required Data Fields at a Glance

VIN: Vehicle identification number

Sale Price: Numeric amount in USD

Odometer: Current odometer reading

Buyer Name: Full legal name

Seller Name: Full legal name

Effective Date: MM/DD/YYYY

Step-by-Step: Filling Out and Using the Bill of Sale

Follow these steps to complete the bill of sale and proceed with title transfer and registration.

01

Prepare vehicle details: Gather VIN, odometer reading, title, and lien info.
02

Record sale terms: Enter price, payment terms, and any 'as-is' language.
03

Sign and date: Have buyer and seller sign in the designated blocks.
04

File or present: Use the bill when applying for title transfer or to satisfy purchaser's insurer.

Customizing an Online Bill of Sale Workflow

Set up an online flow that captures required fields, applies conditional logic, and routes documents for signature.

Field	Configuration
VIN Field	Make required; validate 17 characters
Odometer Field	Numeric only; conditional for vehicles <10 years
Signature Field	Enable eSignature and timestamp
Routing	Buyer signs after seller; copy to insurance

Digital Signing and Practical Platform Needs

Ensure your eSignature platform supports secure signing, an auditable trail, and PDF output compatible with Minnesota DVS.

Audit Trail: IP and timestamped events
Export Formats: PDF, DOCX
Integrations: Google Drive, Box, NetSuite

Where to File or Submit the Bill of Sale

After signing, use the bill of sale to complete title transfer, register the vehicle, and update insurance; submission destinations vary by use.

Minnesota DVS: Present with title to register or transfer ownership
County Tax Office: Provide for local tax assessment if required
Buyer’s Insurer: Share for policy updates or claims
Seller Records: Retain for at least three years

Timelines and Typical Deadlines

Be aware of state and federal timeframes that affect title transfer, registration, and tax reporting.

Title Transfer Window:

Complete transfer at time of sale or as required by DVS

Sales Tax Reporting:

Buyer may owe use/sales tax at registration

Record Retention:

Keep bill of sale for a minimum of three years

Odometer Disclosure:

Required at time of sale for applicable vehicles

Notification of Sale:

Notify insurer and remove plates per local rules

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Failing to record the exact VIN or incorrect odometer reading can block title transfer.
Leaving the sale price blank or using ambiguous language invites disputes and tax issues.
Using initials instead of full signatures can invalidate the document for some agencies.
Not keeping a copy for both buyer and seller creates problems if questions arise later.

Risks and Consequences of an Incorrect Bill of Sale

Delayed Title: Administrative delays and extra fees

Tax Liability: Incorrect reporting may trigger reassessments

Insurance Gaps: Liability could remain with seller if transfer is incomplete

Legal Disputes: Buyer and seller may face contract disputes

Odometer Penalties: Federal rules penalize false odometer disclosures

Title Rejection: State agencies can reject improperly completed forms

Practical Tips for Accurate and Efficient Completion

Follow these practical measures to minimize errors and speed processing.

Use the Title as Source

Copy VIN and owner names exactly from the vehicle title to avoid mismatches during transfer.

Document Payment

Record payment method and date; consider a receipt if payment is not by check or electronic trace.

Keep Copies

Provide both parties with signed copies and store an archival PDF for recordkeeping.

Confirm Agency Requirements

Check Minnesota DVS requirements for any additional forms or affidavits needed at transfer.

Real-World Examples of Use

Two scenario examples illustrate how a bill of sale supports common Minnesota vehicle transactions.

Private Sale

A homeowner sells a sedan to a neighbor and records VIN, odometer, and price

Buyer signs and pays via bank transfer
The buyer uses the bill of sale with the title to register the vehicle and update insurance, avoiding title delays.

Dealer-to-Buyer Transfer

A small dealership logs trade-in details and lien payoff information

Dealer provides signed bill of sale and lien release
The buyer receives clear title on completion and the dealer retains records for accounting and warranty processing.

eSignature Vendor Comparison for Executing the Bill of Sale

Basic vendor comparison focusing on starting price, trial availability, bulk send, audit trail, and HIPAA compliance for document execution.

	signNow	DocuSign	Adobe Sign	PandaDoc	HelloSign
Starting Price	$8/user/mo	$15/user/mo	$14/user/mo	$19/user/mo	$15/user/mo
Free Trial	Yes, 7-day trial	Varies by vendor	Varies by vendor	Varies by vendor	Varies by vendor
Bulk Send	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Varies
Audit Trail	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
HIPAA Compliant	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	No

Frequently Asked Questions About Minnesota Motor Vehicle Bills of Sale

Answers to common questions about completing, signing, and using a Minnesota bill of sale for title transfer and recordkeeping.

Need help? Contact support

Is a bill of sale required in Minnesota?
A bill of sale is commonly used to document the transaction and support title transfer and registration. While title assignment on the certificate is primary, a bill of sale provides additional evidence of sale and consideration and is recommended.
Do I need to notarize the bill of sale?
Notarization is not universally required for private vehicle sales in Minnesota, but some lenders, buyers, or agencies may request a notarized document. Check title and lienholder requirements before completing the transaction.
Can I use an electronic signature?
Electronic signatures are generally valid under ESIGN and UETA where applicable. Ensure the platform you use captures an audit trail and that both parties consent to electronic records when the transaction involves consumer-facing disclosures.
What supporting documents should I include?
Include the vehicle title properly assigned, any lien release, odometer disclosure if required, and proof of payment. Keep copies for both parties and provide what local registration authorities require.
How do I correct a mistake on the form?
Avoid handwritten corrections on critical fields. If an error exists, complete a new bill of sale or follow state guidance for corrections; both parties should initial any minor amendments to reduce dispute risk.
When should I notify the state or insurer?
Notify the buyer’s insurer immediately and complete title transfer or registration promptly. Sellers should inform their insurer and remove or transfer plates per Minnesota practices to limit liability.

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