Florida Bill of Sale Template for Cars, Trucks, Trailers, and Boats
Buying a used vehicle or vessel in Florida comes with risks, from undisclosed damage to disputes over ownership. A bill of sale helps protect both buyers and sellers by providing legal proof of the transaction. It ensures a smooth transfer of ownership, helps prevent fraud, and reduces the risk of future disputes over payment, title issues, or hidden liabilities.
Florida Bill of Sale Form
To make the process easier, download a bill of sale template from this page and confidently document your purchase.
What's the Use of a Florida Bill of Sale?
The bill of sale properly documents a sale signed by the seller and the buyer, especially for vehicles and vessels. The bill of sale is commonly used for:
- Buying or selling cars, trailers, and boats.
- Providing proof of ownership for registration and titling.
- Protecting sellers from future liability.
- Outlining key sale details, including purchase price and date.
Many DMV require the bill of sale to register any vehicle, so you need one.
Get a Florida Vehicle History Report Before Payment!
Before you decide to purchase a used vehicle, you need to check everything thoroughly, including its past. One of the easiest ways to do this is with a vehicle history report.
A vehicle history report gives a detailed look at any vehicle’s past, including theft records, ownership history, service records, and more.
What Can You Find in the Vehicle 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
With a simple VIN lookup, get valuable insights into accident history, mileage discrepancies, previous ownership, and potential hidden issues that could cost you later.
In addition, sellers can display the original factory specifications and features of their vehicles 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 Should Be Included in the Bill of Sale?
The Florida bill of sale should include the key details about the vehicle or vessel transaction, including the following:
- Buyer and seller details: Full names, addresses, and contact information.
- Vehicle or vessel details: Make, model, year, Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) or Hull Identification Number (HIN), color, and body style.
- Purchase price: The amount agreed upon for the sale.
- Transaction date: The day the sale was completed.
- Odometer reading: Required for vehicles, showing the exact mileage at the time of sale.
- Seller’s disclosure: A statement saying the vehicle is sold “as-is” unless otherwise stated.
- Signatures: The buyer and seller must sign for the document to be valid.
Why You Need a Bill of Sale?
Why Do Sellers Need a Bill of Sale?
A bill of sale is not just a piece of paper; it serves different purposes for sellers and buyers. For the seller, there are many reasons why getting a bill of sale is important. Here’s why:
Proof of Ownership Transfer
The bill of sale is mainly a proof of ownership transfer since the seller has sold the vehicle to the respective buyer, meaning that it is not the seller’s responsibility anymore if something is happening to the vehicle.
Protection for Future Liability
If the buyer fails to register the vehicle, any issues, such as parking tickets, fines, or even accidents, can still be linked under the seller’s name.
Tax Reporting
Sellers need to pay and report the tax; hence, the bill of sales is proof of a transaction in the dealership.
Avoids Legal Troubles
A bill of sale provides legal protection if the vehicle is misused after the sale, proving that the seller is no longer associated with the vehicle.
Why Do Buyers Need a Bill of Sale
For buyers, the bill of sale is equally important. This document serves as a vital legal record that protects your rights and ensures a smooth transfer of ownership. Without it, you may face challenges registering your newly purchased vehicle, proving ownership, or resolving disputes.
Some reasons why you need a bill of sale are:
Proof of Purchase
A bill of sale is official proof that you have legally acquired the vehicle or vessel from the previous owner. This document serves as tangible evidence of the sale, making it useful in case of any legal disputes, tax assessments, or future claims regarding the vehicle’s ownership.
Ownership Verification
When buying a vehicle or vessel, ensure the ownership transfer has been completed and is under your name. A bill of sale helps when delayed title processing or incorrect details are recorded. If there are any issues with the title, such as a name mismatch or missing information, this document can be used as additional proof of ownership.
Registration and Titling
In Florida, registering a vehicle requires proper documentation; sometimes, a bill of sale is necessary. Some counties and situations require a Bill of Sale to complete the title transfer, especially if there are complications with the original title or if the vehicle was purchased from an out-of-state seller.
What to Check Before Buying a Used 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 salvage 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.
Registering a Vehicle in Florida
If you have purchased a vehicle in Florida, make sure you register the vehicle with the Florida Department of Safety and Motor Vehicle before you drive the vehicle on the road. To register the vehicle, you will need the following documents below:
- The vehicle title (signed over to the new owner).
- A completed Bill of Sale (if required).
- Proof of valid insurance from a Florida provider.
- Valid identification (such as a Florida driver’s license).
- Payment for registration fees and taxes.
Follow these steps to complete the registration process:
Gather the Required Documents
Ensure you have all necessary paperwork, including:
- The vehicle title is properly signed over to you.
- A completed Bill of Sale (if required by FLHSMV).
- Proof of valid insurance from a Florida provider.
- Valid identification, such as a Florida driver’s license.
- Payment for applicable registration fees and taxes.
Complete the Registration Application
Fill out the required registration forms, which are available at FLHSMV offices or online.
Submit the Documents and Pay the Fees
Visit a local FLHSMV office or an authorised tag agency to submit your paperwork and pay the necessary fees.
Receive Your Registration and License Plates
Once processed, you’ll receive your registration certificate, license plates, and decal to legally drive your vehicle.
What about Registering the Vessel?
If you just bought a vessel in Flordia, you need to register the vessel with the Florida Department of Safety and Motor Vehicles. The steps are similar to registering a vehicle.
You will need:
- A completed Bill of Sale showing proof of purchase.
- A properly signed title or manufacturer’s statement of origin.
- Hull Identification Number (HIN) verification for out-of-state vessels.
- Payment for applicable registration fees.
For more information, visit the FLHSMV vessel 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
Yes, you can handwrite a Florida bill of sale. You must write down the seller and buyer information (name and address) and the vehicle information. For convenience, you may use our bill of sale tool.
In Florida, a bill of sale is not mandatory for title transfer if the title is correctly completed and signed by the seller. However, it provides additional protection for both parties and serves as a valuable personal record.
Only sign the bill of sale once the buyer confirms they’re happy with the vehicle and you’ve checked crucial details such as the price, mileage, VIN, and condition. Don’t transfer the title until you’ve received the complete payment.