What Is a Bill of Sale in Oklahoma?
A bill of sale records the item, the price, the date, and both parties’ names during a sale. If the buyer later disputes the price or the condition, the seller can point to it, and the buyer can use it to prove ownership.
For a vehicle, the bill of sale shows the title office what the buyer paid, while the notarized title (or Form 718 for an electronic title) transfers ownership. A bill of sale that only establishes the price doesn’t need notarization.
Oklahoma Bill of Sale Requirements
The details required depend on the property being transferred. For most private sales, a written record should establish who owns the item, what was exchanged, and the conditions agreed upon.
Include the following information:
- Full names and residential or business addresses of the buyer and seller
- A clear description of the property, including its condition and distinguishing features
- Any relevant VIN, hull identification number, or serial number
- The date of the sale, total purchase price, and payment arrangements
- Details of any outstanding liens or other claims affecting the property
- Applicable warranties, disclosures, or an agreement to sell the item “as is”
- Dated signatures confirming both parties agree to the transaction
Most ordinary personal property sales in Oklahoma do not require notarization. However, additional paperwork or formalities may apply to certain assets, including vehicles and boats.
The buyer and seller should each retain a signed copy to document the transfer and help resolve potential disputes.
Types of Bills of Sale in Oklahoma
The right bill of sale depends on what changes hands. The following types cover most private sales in Oklahoma:
- General: Suits untitled items, such as furniture or tools.
- Car: Covers passenger cars and trucks.
- Firearm: Documents a handgun or long gun transfer.
- Boat: Covers motorboats and their motors.
- Trailer: Fits utility and farm trailers.
- Livestock: Suits cattle and other farm animals.
- Horse: Suits horse sales, with breed and registration papers.
Oklahoma General Bill of Sale
This document covers anything without a title (furniture, lawn tractor, etc). A simple bill of sale works best when the description is specific, so list the brand, model, serial number, and condition.
Write down the price and sale date, plus how the buyer paid, such as cash or a cashier’s check, then have both parties sign. Add “as is” if the seller offers no warranty.
Create Your Oklahoma General Bill of Sale
Oklahoma Vehicle Bill of Sale
A vehicle bill of sale supports the title, which the seller must assign and have notarized before handing it over. If the state holds an electronic title, Form 718 replaces the paper one, and the seller signs it in front of a notary.
Form 718 serves as the vehicle bill of sale form for electronic titles in Oklahoma. The buyer takes it to a licensed operator along with a driver license and proof of liability insurance. Before paying, check that the VIN on the bill of sale matches the title.
If the seller still owes a lender, hold off paying until the lien release is in hand.
A buyer who has not titled and registered the vehicle within 30 days pays $1 a day in penalties, up to $100. A buyer who already owns a plate can move it to the new vehicle and get credit on registration fees.
Create Your Oklahoma Vehicle Bill of Sale
Oklahoma Trailer Bill of Sale
Private and farm trailers get no title in Oklahoma, and registration is optional, so the bill of sale becomes the main proof of ownership.
List the serial number, model year, make, and model on a bill of sale for a trailer. A buyer who registers it attaches a copy of the bill of sale, and the original registration fee is $12. Since no title exists, keep the signed original for as long as you own the trailer.
Create Your Oklahoma Trailer Bill of Sale
Oklahoma Boat Bill of Sale
Oklahoma titles every motorized boat, while canoes and kayaks stay exempt unless they have a motor. The seller must also give the buyer a notarized statement confirming that the hull identification number (HIN) matches the title.
A boat bill of sale should repeat the HIN and any motor serial number, along with the price and sale date. The buyer then files Form BM-26 for the title, plus Form BM-10 to verify the HIN. Motors over 10 horsepower register separately from the boat.
Create Your Oklahoma Boat Bill of Sale
Oklahoma Firearm Bill of Sale
State law bars selling a firearm to a minor or to a convicted felon, so ask before you sell. Private sales need no background check, which leaves the bill of sale as your record of the transfer.
On the bill of sale, list the make and model, then the caliber and serial number. Ask for the buyer’s driver license and write its number beside their name. If police ever trace the gun to you, the signed copy shows the date it left your hands.
Create Your Oklahoma Firearm Bill of Sale
How To Write a Bill of Sale in Oklahoma
You don’t need any legal expertise to compile a valid bill of sale. All you need is Lumr’s template, which you can use in five easy steps:
- 1
Choose your bill of sale template
Select the appropriate document based on the property involved, whether you're transferring a boat, vehicle, equipment, or other personal belongings.
- 2
List who is selling and who is buying
Fill in the buyer’s and seller’s names and contact addresses to establish who is involved in the transfer of ownership.
- 3
Give a full description of the item
Describe the item being sold, noting its condition, characteristics, and any available identification numbers to avoid confusion.
- 4
Add the transaction terms
State what the buyer is paying and the sale date, then decide whether to include “as is” wording.
- 5
Review and save your document
Verify that all information is correct before downloading the bill of sale PDF. Print copies for both parties to sign and keep.
Oklahoma Seller Requirements: Service OK Notice of Transfer and License Plates
Filing a Notice of Transfer is optional, but it tells the state you sold the vehicle. The filing costs $10 and goes through OkCARS online or to any tag agency.
The form asks for the VIN, title number, plate number, sale date, and both parties’ details. It does not transfer the title. The buyer still has 30 days to do that.
Remove your plate before the buyer leaves, since Oklahoma plates stay with the owner and not the vehicle. You may keep it or move it to another vehicle in the same registration class.
A buyer without plates can legally drive for up to 15 days while carrying a dated, notarized bill of sale, so hand over the notarized copy before the buyer leaves.