What Is a Bill of Sale in Texas?
A Texas bill of sale is simply a signed record of a private sale between buyer and seller.
It covers who's involved and what's changing hands, plus the price and date both sides agreed on.
For vehicles, boats, and trailers, the document works alongside the title, not instead of it.
Having a Texas bill of sale form is a good idea for any type of transaction. It’s useful to have something in plain language on hand if an insurer or the tax office ever asks about the sale.
Texas Bill of Sale Requirements
There is no standard Texas bill of sale form that is appropriate for every type of transaction.
However, a complete form should generally include:
- Full names and addresses of the buyer and seller
- A clear description of the item, including model or serial numbers where they apply
- The purchase price or stated value if the item changed hands as a gift
- The date of sale and transfer
- The payment method and any deposit or installment terms
- Warranty language, or a statement that the item sells "as is"
- Signatures from both parties
The document should be accurate and easy to read. Both the buyer and seller should keep a signed copy for their records.
Types of Texas Bills of Sale
The correct Texas bill of sale form to use depends on what you're selling:
- General: Furniture, electronics, tools, and other personal property that doesn't carry a title.
- Vehicle: Cars, trucks, vans, and SUVs sold between private parties.
- Trailer: Utility, cargo, livestock, and boat trailers.
- Firearm: Handguns, rifles, and shotguns sold privately.
- Boat: Motorboats, sailboats, and other vessels registered with TPWD.
- Motorcycle: Motorcycles and mopeds sold between owners.
Texas General Bill of Sale
A simple bill of sale for use in Texas usually covers personal property that doesn't need a title transfer through TxDMV or another state agency.
It works for both a single high-value item and items batch-sold in one deal.
If you're selling the item “as-is”, say so directly in the document. An as-is clause tells the buyer they accept the item's current condition. However, it won't shield a seller who hides a known defect.
Build Your Texas General Bill of Sale
Bill of Sale for Cars in Texas
A car bill of sale in Texas records a private vehicle sale between the outgoing and incoming owner.
The document needs to pin down vehicle and parties’ details well enough to support the title transfer.
That means you should include:
- Buyer and seller names and signatures
- VIN
- Year, make, and model
- License plate number
- Odometer reading
- Sale price
- Date of sale
A Texas motorcycle bill of sale should contain similar information.
Create a Texas Vehicle Bill of Sale
Texas Trailer Bill of Sale
A trailer bill of sale documents the sale of a utility, cargo, livestock, or boat trailer, separate from any vehicle or vessel it's paired with.
You should include the:
- VIN
- Year
- Make
- Body style
- Empty weight
- Sale price
- Date of transfer
Whether the trailer needs a title depends on its weight. A manufactured trailer over 4,000 pounds gross weight needs both a title and registration, while lighter trailers generally only need registration, if that.
For a used trailer at or under 4,000 pounds, a bill of sale paired with the seller's registration receipt or title can serve as evidence of ownership.
Get Your Texas Trailer Bill of Sale
Texas Firearm Bill of Sale
In Texas, a firearm bill of sale covers the private sale of a handgun, rifle, or shotgun between two residents.
A proper Texas gun bill of sale lists the:
- Make and model
- Caliber
- Serial number
- Price
- Date of sale
- Names and addresses of both parties
Many sellers also add a line where the buyer confirms they're legally eligible to own a firearm.
No background check is required under state or federal law.
Important: You still can't knowingly sell to someone barred from owning a firearm, a convicted felon or someone under a protective order, for instance.
Create a Texas Firearm Bill of Sale
Texas Boat Bill of Sale
When selling a vessel or outboard motor in Texas, a bill of sale documents the transfer between the parties.
The bill documents the hull identification number (HIN), TX or serial number, year, make, model, propulsion type, sale price, and date of sale.
You should list the outboard motor separately if one's included, since TPWD titles motors and vessels on different applications.
A boat bill of sale also supports the new owner's application with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD), which handles boat titling separately from TxDMV.
Create Your Texas Boat Bill of Sale
How to Write a Bill of Sale in Texas
You can use Lumr’s printable bill of sale for Texas to record the sale of any type of item. The steps below outline the process.
- 1
Identify the buyer and seller
Start by providing the full legal names, addresses, and contact details of both parties. This makes it clear who is transferring and receiving the property.
- 2
Enter details about the item
Next, provide a description of the property being sold. Include relevant identifiers, such as the make, model, year, VIN, HIN, or serial number.
- 3
Add the sale information
Record the details of the sale. This typically includes the agreed purchase price, date of sale, payment method, and any deposit or installment arrangements.
- 4
Include any conditions of the sale
If you’re including any warranties, disclosures, or other agreed terms, you should record this in the bill of sale. If no warranties apply, you can state that the property is being transferred “as is.”
- 5
Check, sign, and keep copies
Review the completed form for any errors or missing information. Finally, both parties should sign and date the document and keep a copy for their records.
Texas Seller Requirements: TxDMV Vehicle Transfer Notification (VTR-346)
Once you sell a vehicle, you need to notify TxDMV.
You must file the Motor Vehicle Transfer Notification (Form VTR-346) within 30 days of the sale. You can do this online or by mail.
The form asks for:
- Vehicle description, including VIN, year, make, and model
- License plate number and title document number
- Date of transfer
- Your name and address as the seller
- The buyer's name and address
Filing on time helps protect you from liability if the new owner racks up parking tickets, toll violations, or worse before they title the vehicle.
TxDMV will still record a late notification, but the protection works best when you file promptly.
The VTR-346 doesn't replace the buyer's obligation to title the vehicle; it just tells the state you're out of the picture as of the transfer date.