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Wisconsin Motor Vehicle Bill of Sale

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BILL OF SALE OF AUTOMOBILE

To be completed upon sale of motor vehicle.

State of Wisconsin

County of

$

(Purchase Price)

FOR AND IN CONSIDERATION OF the execution of a Promissory Note for $ and downpayment of $ , by , (Buyer(s), to , “Seller(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.

Seller(s) hereby covenant to and with Buyer(s)that Seller(s) is the true and lawful owner(s) of the above-described motor vehicle, that the same is free from all encumbrances whatsoever except the lien retained by Seller(s), that Seller(s) has good right to sell the same as aforesaid, and that Seller(s) will warrant and defend the same against all lawful claims and demands whatsoever.

Seller(s)

Print Name:

Print Name:

SWORN TO AND SUBSCRIBED BEFORE ME, this the Print Name: day of , 20 .

NOTARY PUBLIC

My Commission Expires:


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 WISCONSIN

COUNTY OF

SWORN TO AND SUBSCRIBED BEFORE ME, this the day of , 20 .

NOTARY PUBLIC

My Commission Expires:


PROMISSORY NOTE

(In Connection with Sale of Vehicle)

$ County, Wisconsin

Date:

FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned Buyer(s), promise to pay to the order of , Seller(s), whose address is , the sum of ($ ), together with no interest, or with interest of percent per annum, payable in monthly installments of per month, with the first payment being due on the day of , 20 and a like payment on the same day of each month thereafter until fully paid.

THERE will be no pre-payment penalty on this Note.

IF DEFAULT is made in payment after demand, and such default shall continue for a period of 10 days, then the holder hereof may, at its option, declare the whole sum then remaining unpaid immediately due and payable. In case of any such default, the undersigned agrees to pay all costs of collection, including a reasonable attorney's fee, whether or not suit is instituted. Upon default for ten (10) days, the vehicle sold to Buyer in connection with this promissory note shall be returned to Seller(s) and Seller(s) is granted all rights of repossession as a secured party.

PRESENTMENT for payment, demand, notice of dishonor, protest, notice of protest and any homestead or personal property exemption allowed by the constitutions or laws of any state are hereby waived by the undersigned. Failure by the holder hereof to exercise any option granted it hereunder shall not constitute a waiver of future rights.

This Note is given to secure the payment of the purchase price of a vehicle, identified below:

Make

Model

Year

VIN

Title to the vehicle will either be (check option) retained by Seller until all payment due under this note are paid in full, or transferred to Buyer at execution of this note, in which case Seller retains a vendors lien in said vehicle and Buyer grants to Seller a security interest in the vehicle until this note is paid in full. If title is transferred to Buyer, Seller shall be listed as a lender on the title of the vehicle, whether or not Seller elects to perfect Seller’s security interest in the vehicle.

BORROWER/BUYER SS#

BORROWER/BUYER

BORROWER/BUYER SS#

Seller Name, Address, Phone:

Buyer(s) Name, Address, Phone:

Enter text✕

What the Wisconsin Motor Vehicle Bill of Sale Is

A Wisconsin Motor Vehicle Bill of Sale is a written record that documents the transfer of ownership for a motor vehicle between a seller and a buyer. It captures the parties, vehicle details (make, model, year, VIN), sale price or trade, and the date of transfer. While Wisconsin titling and registration rely primarily on the vehicle title, a bill of sale supports tax, registration, and proof-of-transfer purposes and can reduce disputes about the transaction’s terms and consideration.

Why a Clear Bill of Sale Matters

A complete bill of sale documents the transaction, clarifies consideration, supports title and registration steps, and helps establish tax basis for both parties. It reduces later disputes about condition, mileage, or payment and creates an auditable record for DMV and tax purposes.

Why a Clear Bill of Sale Matters

Who Typically Completes a Wisconsin Vehicle Bill of Sale

Keep a signed copy with the vehicle title and registration paperwork; both buyer and seller should retain records per applicable retention rules.

  • Private Sellers — Individual owners transferring a car, motorcycle, or truck to another private party; documents condition, price, and date of sale.
  • Dealers and Resellers — Businesses use bills of sale for wholesale purchases, trade-ins, and inventory records during title transfers.
  • Buyers and Lenders — Buyers keep the bill as proof of purchase; lenders use it when creating or releasing liens on the vehicle.

Essential Elements to Include in the Bill of Sale

A professional Wisconsin Motor Vehicle Bill of Sale contains clear, specific entries for the parties, vehicle, payment, and signatures so it is useful for DMV processes and future reference.

Buyer and Seller

Full legal names and contact information for buyer and seller, including street address, city, state, and ZIP code, to identify parties and aid future contact or legal notices.

Vehicle Details

Comprehensive description including make, model, year, color, body type and any distinguishing features; this prevents ambiguity when multiple vehicles share similar descriptions.

Vehicle Identification Number

Full VIN recorded exactly as shown on the title and vehicle — the VIN is the primary identifier used by DMV and law enforcement.

Sale Consideration

State the exact dollar amount paid or note if transaction is a gift, trade, or lien satisfaction; avoid vague terms so tax and registration staff can apply correct fees.

Odometer Statement

Include the odometer reading at time of sale and any disclosures about accuracy or discrepancies required under federal and state odometer laws.

Signatures and Date

Signatures of seller and buyer with printed names and signing dates; note any witness or notary information if state or local rules require authentication.

Step-by-Step: Completing the Bill of Sale

Follow these practical steps to finish the bill of sale and prepare documentation for title transfer and registration in Wisconsin.

  • 01
    Prepare Documents: Gather the title, current registration, IDs, and odometer reading before completing the bill of sale.
  • 02
    Complete Form: Fill buyer and seller details, vehicle description, VIN, sale price, and odometer entry accurately.
  • 03
    Sign and Date: Have seller and buyer sign and date the bill of sale; add witness or notary if required locally.
  • 04
    Submit to DMV: Use the bill of sale along with the signed title and payment when applying for title transfer and registration.

Configuring an Online Bill of Sale Workflow

Set up the document fields and routing so each signing step is clear and auditable for DMV and tax records.

Field Configuration
Buyer Info Required text fields; validation for ZIP and state.
Vehicle Info VIN field with exact-length validation.
Odometer Numeric-only field with units dropdown.
Signatures Signature fields for seller and buyer; date auto-fill enabled.

Where to File or Submit the Completed Bill of Sale

After signing, present the bill of sale along with the signed title and required fees to complete Wisconsin title transfer and registration.

  • Local DMV Office: Bring the signed title, bill of sale, and ID to your county DMV agent or clerk.
  • County Register: Some county treasurers process registration and collection of sales tax; verify local instructions.
  • Online Submission: If your county offers online title services, upload scanned documents per local DMV guidance.
  • For Lenders: Provide copies to lienholders when a lien is added or released during the title transaction.

Digital Signing and eSubmission Considerations

Ensure your chosen platform supports secure storage, tamper-evident signed PDFs, and the access methods your county DMV accepts for online submissions.

  • File Formats: PDF and DOCX are commonly accepted.
  • Authentication: Email or SMS code authentication strengthens signer attribution.
  • Integrations: Connectors to storage and CRM streamline recordkeeping.

Required Information Checklist

Names: Buyer and seller full names
Addresses: Street, city, state, ZIP
Vehicle ID: Full VIN
Sale Amount: Exact dollar amount
Odometer: Reading and units
Signatures: Seller and buyer signatures

Potential Legal and Financial Risks

Incorrect VIN: Title denial
Missing Signatures: Transfer invalid
False Odometer: Civil and criminal exposure
Unreported Sale Price: Tax assessment risk
Unreleased Lien: Buyer takes subject to lien
Improper Notarization: Document rejected

Common Preparation Mistakes to Avoid

  • Leaving the VIN or odometer field blank, which often causes DMV processing delays and requests for corrected documentation.
  • Using nicknames or initials instead of full legal names, producing identity mismatches against the title or government IDs.
  • Failing to disclose known vehicle defects or salvage history, which can lead to post-sale disputes or liability claims.
  • Not checking for existing liens or failing to secure a lien release, leaving the buyer exposed to creditor claims.

eSignature Vendor Comparison for Vehicle Bills of Sale

Select a signing solution that supports secure PDFs, audit trails, and the compliance features your organization needs. Pricing and features below show typical vendor differences.

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 7-day trial No No Yes, limited Yes, limited
Bulk Send Yes Yes Yes Yes No
Audit Trail Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
HIPAA Compliant Yes Yes Yes No No

Practical Tips for Accurate and Efficient Completion

Follow these best practices to reduce processing time, avoid rejections, and create a durable record for both parties and the DMV.

Verify Identity and Names
Compare printed names on the bill of sale with government-issued IDs and the title to prevent mismatches that could delay title transfer and registration.
Record Exact VIN and Mileage
Transcribe the VIN directly from the vehicle or title and double-check the odometer entry to avoid costly corrections or allegations of odometer tampering.
Include Clear Consideration Language
Specify the sale amount, tax treatment (if applicable), or note 'gift' or 'trade' to prevent disputes and to ensure accurate tax and registration calculations.
Keep Signed Originals
Retain signed originals until title transfer and registration are finalized; scan and store a tamper-evident PDF for long-term electronic recordkeeping.

Real-World Examples of Online Bill of Sale Use

These examples show how organizations and small businesses document vehicle transfers and use digital workflows to secure signatures and records.

Optica Ventures LLC

Small firm uses a digital bill of sale for fleet vehicle turnover, reducing in-person handling.

  • The interface is simple and easy to use.
  • The electronic record gives a dated, auditable trail that simplifies fleet accounting and title updates while reducing paper storage needs.

Martin Properties

Real estate business transfers utility vehicles between properties and records each transfer with a signed bill of sale.

  • Online signing works offline too.
  • Processing and executing documents online maintained compliance and allowed timely reassignment of vehicles between sites without delaying operations or project billing.

FAQs and Troubleshooting for Wisconsin Bills of Sale

Answers to common questions about completing, signing, and submitting a Wisconsin Motor Vehicle Bill of Sale, and what to do if problems arise.


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