Utah Bill of Sale Form

A Utah bill of sale, also known as Form TC-843, documents a private sale. That might mean a car changing hands, a boat leaving the marina, or a firearm passed to a new owner. Build one with Lumr's online template and download it ready to sign, no legal drafting required.

Ready in minutes
Fully editable
Private and secure

What Is a Bill of Sale in Utah?

In Utah, a bill of sale puts a private property transfer in writing: who sold it, who bought it, what changed hands. A signature from the seller turns it from a note into a real record.

Expect one to cover:

  • The buyer's and seller's names and contact details
  • A description of the item, including any VIN, serial number, or hull number
  • The purchase price and how it's being paid
  • The date of sale
  • Whether the seller offers a warranty or the item is sold "as is"

None of this replaces a title when one exists. A signed title transfers ownership of a vehicle or vessel; a Utah vehicle bill of sale backs it up with the transaction's actual terms.

Utah Bill of Sale Requirements

Utah keeps its paperwork lighter than states that mandate notarization or a separate disclosure packet. A few rules still apply:

  • No notary is required. The Utah DMV confirms a bill of sale doesn't need one to be valid.
  • It can be handwritten or typed, but the DMV asks that it be completed in ink, not pencil.
  • Passenger vehicles, light trucks, motorcycles, trailers, heavy trucks, off-highway vehicles, snowmobiles, and boats all use the same statewide TC-843 form.
  • Vehicles under 20 years old need a separate signed odometer disclosure under Utah Code § 41-1a-902, unless the vehicle weighs 16,000 pounds or more.

Every property type pulls from that same TC-843 form. A bill of sale template Utah residents choose for a car works just as well for a trailer or a snowmobile.

Types of Utah Bills of Sale

One statewide form covers eight property categories, but a handful of Utah bills of sale come up more than the rest:

  • General: Furniture, electronics, or tools outside a titled vehicle.
  • Car: Passenger vehicles, light trucks, or vans.
  • Boat: Motorboats, sailboats, or personal watercraft.
  • Trailer: Utility, cargo, or boat trailers.
  • Firearm: Handguns, rifles, or shotguns changing hands between private parties.
  • Livestock and horse: Animals sold individually or as part of a herd.

Utah General Bill of Sale

Selling something that doesn't come with a title, a couch, a laptop, a batch of tools, still benefits from a written record. There's no dedicated state form for this category. A Utah general bill of sale simply needs the core details: who's involved, what's changing hands, and the price.

Include serial numbers where they exist. A missing identifier is the most common reason a general bill of sale fails to settle a later dispute over what was actually sold.

Utah Car Bill of Sale

A Utah car bill of sale uses the same TC-843 form as motorcycles, trailers, and boats. It covers the sale price, both parties' names, the vehicle's year, make, and model, the VIN, and whether the license plate transfers with the car.

If the vehicle is under 20 years old, attach a separate odometer statement. Skipping it is a Class B misdemeanor under state law, so it's not a step worth cutting.

A Utah DMV bill of sale also helps when a title is lost or unclear. The division can accept it alongside a duplicate title application to establish who currently owns the vehicle.

Utah Boat Bill of Sale

Every boat registration in the state runs through the same Motor Vehicle Division that handles cars, not the state parks system. A Utah boat bill of sale supports that process the same way a car's does.

First-time titling in Utah calls for a hull identification number inspection, using Form TC-661, before the division issues a title. Bring the bill of sale along with the inspection paperwork and vessel application.

Utah Firearm Bill of Sale

A Utah firearm bill of sale form doesn't trigger a state background check for a private sale. That requirement only kicks in when a licensed dealer is involved. Dealers must run the buyer's information through the state's Bureau of Criminal Identification first.

A private seller still can't knowingly transfer a firearm to someone barred from owning one under Utah Code § 76-10-503. The paperwork alone won't satisfy that duty, but it does give both sides a dated, signed record if a firearm's history is ever questioned.

Utah Motorcycle Bill of Sale

A motorcycle bill of sale Utah riders use follows the same TC-843 form as a car. The one addition is the engine number, alongside the same VIN and model details a car bill of sale asks for.

The same 20-year odometer rule applies here too, so check the model year before assuming the disclosure step doesn't apply.

How to Write a Bill of Sale in Utah

A printable bill of sale Utah residents can trust comes together in six steps.

  1. Choose the correct template

    Match the form to the property, car, boat, firearm, or something else entirely, since each covers different details.

  2. Identify the buyer and seller

    Enter full legal names, addresses, and contact information for everyone involved in the sale.

  3. Describe the property

    Add the make, model, and year, plus any VIN, serial number, or hull number that sets the item apart from others like it.

  4. Record the price and payment terms

    State the purchase price and how it's being paid: cash, check, financing, or a trade allowance toward the total.

  5. Add warranty or as-is language

    Decide whether you're standing behind the item's condition or selling it as is, then write that decision into the document plainly.

  6. Sign and file the paperwork

    Both parties sign and date the form. Keep a copy, and pass along any title or registration paperwork the property still needs.

Utah Seller Requirements: MVD Notice of Sale and Plate Removal

Selling a registered vehicle in Utah adds two seller-specific steps beyond the paperwork.

Remove the license plate before handing over the keys, unless the plate is being sold along with the vehicle. Utah plates stay with the seller, not the car, in most transactions.

Report the sale to the Motor Vehicle Division within a reasonable window: online through the state's Motor Vehicle Portal, by mail, or by phone. Utah Code § 41-1a-701 sets the deadline for the plates themselves. They need to go back to the division, or get reassigned to another vehicle, within 20 days of the sale.

Separately, the seller must deliver the signed title and current registration to the buyer. Utah Code § 41-1a-702 sets that window at 48 hours from the transaction. Missing it doesn't undo the sale, but it does leave the buyer without paperwork they're entitled to have.

FAQ

FAQs About Utah Bill of Sale

Quick answers to what comes up most when Utah residents complete this paperwork.

Is a bill of sale required in Utah?

Not for every transaction. It becomes practically necessary in a few spots: an older vehicle without a clear title, a duplicate title application, or a specific DMV request.

Is a handwritten Utah bill of sale acceptable?

Yes, as long as it's filled out in ink and includes every required field. The risk is a missed detail, an illegible VIN, or a skipped signature line. Building the document through Lumr's online template avoids all three, since nothing gets submitted until every field is complete.

Does a Utah bill of sale need to be notarized?

No, notarization is not always needed; however, it is a good idea to get it notarized to add more verification.

State guidance is explicit that a notary isn't required for a bill of sale to hold up.

How long should I keep a copy of a Utah bill of sale?

Several years at minimum, longer for anything involving a vehicle, boat, or firearm. Keeping it permanently costs nothing and settles most ownership questions instantly if one ever comes up.

What should I do if there is a mistake on a Utah bill of sale?

Don't cross it out and hope it holds up. Complete a fresh copy with the correct information instead, since a document full of strike-throughs is easier to challenge later.

Can a bill of sale include an "as-is" clause in Utah?

Yes. Stating the property is sold "as is" puts the buyer on notice that they're accepting its current condition. That clause doesn't excuse a seller who conceals a known defect or lacks legal ownership to sell.

Ready to create your Bill of Sale?

Answer a few questions and download your document in minutes.