Alaska Bill of Sale Template for Cars, Trucks, Trailers, and Boats
Buying a used car in Alaska? Protect yourself and your investment with the bill of sale. A bill of sale is important for anyone buying and selling a vehicle or vessel in Alaska. It provides legal records of the transaction and protects both seller and buyer from future disputes.
Alaska Bill of Sale Form
While having a bill of sale is not always mandatory, it can help you with vehicle registration, tax assessment, and proof of ownership. Whether selling a used vehicle or purchasing one, this document ensures clarity and security for both parties.
What's the Function of an Alaska Bill of Sale?
What’s the Function of an Alaska Bill of Sale?
A bill of sale is a proof of ownership transfer issued during a vehicle sale or purchase in Alaska. The document has detailed information, including the names of the buyer and seller, the sale price, and a vehicle description.
In Alaska, the bill of sale is required for tax assessment purposes or when you want to register the vehicle or vessel under your name. It helps resolve disputes over the sale price, payment agreements, and legal ownership. Even if it’s not legally required, it is helpful for personal records.
Get a Vehicle History Report in Alaska
Before you decide to buy a used vehicle in Alaska, you need to check the vehicle’s history to spot hidden records and avoid unnecessary repair costs in the future. A vehicle history report is an important document that reveals the vehicle’s past, including its past owners, theft records, maintenance history, title issues, accident history, and more.
What Information Can You Find in the Vehicle History Report?
When you run a VIN check with Detailed Vehicle History, you can get all the detailed information about the vehicle.
- Mileage
- Ownership History
- Sales History
- Usage History
- Accident History
- Lien & Loans
- Recalls History
- Flood Damage
- Title Brand
- Warranty Status
- Salvage Title
- Repair Cost
- Hail Damage
- Ownership Duration
- Accident History
- Maintenance Schedule
In addition, sellers can display their vehicles’ original factory specifications and features with window stickers. A window sticker shows the standard and optional features, packages, MSRP, safety ratings, and more.
Display accurate vehicle specs to all buyers easily with our window sticker lookup tool!
What's Included in a Window Sticker?
Our window sticker lookup provides all original factory details for your vehicle.
- MSRP & Pricing
- Optional Equipment
- Warranty Details
- Engine Specs
- Exterior Features
- Color Codes
- Standard Features
- Safety Ratings
- Fuel Economy
- Interior Features
- Packages & Options
- Manufacturing Info
What Can You Find on an Alaska Bill of Sale?
The bill of sale includes important information about the vehicle you are buying in Alaska. Here’s what you can find on the bill of sale.
- Buyer and seller information (full names and contact details)
- Vehicle, trailer, or boat details (make, model, year, VIN, or hull ID)
- Purchase price and date of sale
- Odometer reading at the time of sale
- Signatures of both parties (and notarization if required)
Additional documents, such as registration numbers or proof of past ownership, may be necessary for vessel transactions. Sometimes, a notarized bill of sale might be required for legal purposes.
Why You Need a Bill of Sale?
Why Do Sellers Need an Alaska Bill of Sale?
For sellers, a bill of sale is a legal protection document because the bill of sale acts as proof of ownership of the vehicle. Without this document, the seller might still be associated with the vehicle, even though the vehicle has been sold to different parties.
Before selling, it’s advisable to check for any outstanding title issues. A title check can confirm if there are unpaid loans or legal claims on the vehicle, preventing delays in the sale.
The Importance of Alaska Bill of Sale For Buyers
As a buyer, after you’ve done a transaction of a vehicle or vessel, you need to have the bill of sale in your hands to protect your investment and as proof of ownership and purchase. Sometimes, the bill of sale is required to register the vehicle or resolve the ownership dispute.
What to Check Before Buying a Car?
Aside from getting the bill of sale, you may check the background of the vehicle you are about to buy by utilizing these tools.
Check the vehicle history
Avoid costly mistakes by verifying past accidents, title issues, and undisclosed damages.
Look for flood damage
Some areas have a high risk of water-damaged vehicles. A flood damage check helps identify unsafe cars.
Verify the odometer reading
Odometer fraud is common, with sellers rolling back mileage to increase value.
Be informed about the title
Checking the title is important before you decide to buy the car, as nobody wants to buy a car with a bad title.
Check for theft records
You don’t want to be stuck with a stolen vehicle. Check for theft records and avoid legal issues.
Get the service record
Buying a used car means you need to check the service record to ensure that past owners regularly serviced the car.
How to Register a Vehicle in Alaska?
If you purchase a used car in Alaska, make sure you register the vehicle under your name to avoid potential problems in the future. The vehicle must be registered with the Alaska Division of Motorcycles (DMV). The following documents are needed to register a vehicle:
- Bill of sale (if required by the DMV)
- Vehicle title (signed by the seller)
- Proof of insurance
- Odometer disclosure statement (for certain vehicles)
- Vehicle inspection report (if required)
- Payment of registration fees
With these documents, the steps to follow are:
Obtain the Vehicle Title
Ensure you have the vehicle’s title, signed by the seller, as proof of ownership. If there’s a lienholder, additional steps may be required.
Complete the Application for Title and Registration (Form V1)
Fill out this form accurately with all necessary details about the vehicle and the new owner.
Provide Proof of Insurance
Alaska law mandates liability insurance with a minimum coverage of $50,000 for bodily injury or death per person, $100,000 per accident, and $25,000 for property damage.
Submit the Current Out-of-State Registration (if applicable)
If the vehicle was previously registered in another state, present the current registration documents.
Pay the Required Fees
Registration fees vary based on factors like vehicle type and location. Some municipalities may impose a Motor Vehicle Registration Tax (MVRT).
Visit a Local DMV Office or Submit Documents Online
You can register your vehicle in person at a local DMV office or utilize online services where available.
Obtain License Plates and Registration
Once processed, you’ll receive your vehicle’s license plates and registration, which are valid for two years.
Ensure all documents are accurate to avoid delays in the registration process. Alaska vehicle registration can be completed in person at a local DMV office. If a title is missing, the DMV may allow alternative proof of ownership, such as a notarized bill of sale.
How Can I Register a Vessel in Alaska?
All boats in Alaska must be registered with the DMV, except non-motorized boats. The process requires:
- A bill of sale as proof of ownership
- A completed boat registration application
- The vessel’s hull identification number (HIN)
- Registration fees
Boat registrations must be renewed periodically, which may take several weeks. Follow these steps to register your boat:
Complete a Boat Registration Application (Form B1)
Fill out the application form with the boat’s details, including make, model, year, length, and hull identification number (HIN).
Provide Proof of Ownership
Submit a bill of sale, manufacturer’s certificate of origin (MCO), or previous registration/title as proof of ownership.
Verify the Hull Identification Number (HIN)
The HIN is required to identify the vessel. A state-assigned number may be issued if the boat does not have one.
Pay the Registration Fees
Fees vary depending on the type and size of the vessel. Additional fees may apply for title transfers or duplicate registration.
Submit the Required Documents
Visit a local DMV office or mail the completed registration application, proof of ownership, and payment to the Alaska DMV.
Receive Your Registration Number and Decals
Once processed, you’ll receive a registration certificate, a unique boat registration number, and decals that must be displayed on the vessel.
Boat registrations must be renewed every three years. More details can be found on the Alaska DMV Boat Registration page.
Get a Vehicle Bill of Sale by State
Each state has its requirements for an auto bill of sale. Click below to find the template for your state!
Frequently Asked Questions
A bill of sale is necessary for private vehicle transactions in Alaska. You can obtain a template of the bill of sale by downloading the template on this page.
If the buyer doesn’t transfer the title, you remain the legal owner and will be held responsible for any tickets or violations.
You cannot attach a signature to any document, regardless of whether it’s typed or handwritten. If a notarial certificate is missing, the client must supply one.
Once both parties sign an ‘as-is’ bill of sale, it becomes a legally binding contract, preventing the seller from backing out.
Yes, a handwritten bill of sale is legally binding as long as it includes the proper components.