What Does a Bill of Sale Look Like?
A bill of sale isn't a special government form — it's a plain, one-to-two-page document with a handful of standard sections. Below is a real example so you can see exactly what one looks like, followed by a breakdown of each part and a free printable template you can fill out yourself.
Example: a filled-out bill of sale
Here's what a typical vehicle bill of sale looks like once completed:
PARTIES: This Bill of Sale is entered into between John Smith, of Dallas, TX ("Seller"), and Maria Lopez, of Austin, TX ("Buyer").
ITEM DESCRIPTION: Year: 2018 | Make: Honda | Model: Civic | VIN: 2HGFC2F59JH500000 | Odometer: 54,200 miles
CONDITION: Used — Good.
PURCHASE PRICE: The Buyer agrees to pay the Seller the sum of $9,500 USD, via Cashier's Check.
AS-IS CONDITION: The item is sold "as is," with no implied warranties, except as otherwise stated above.
GOVERNING LAW: This Bill of Sale shall be governed by the laws of the State of Texas.
_____________________________ Buyer Signature
Date: ______________
That's genuinely most of it. Real bills of sale usually include a few more standard clauses (warranty of title, liens, risk of loss), but the core shape — who, what, how much, and signatures — is always the same. Our step-by-step writing guide covers every section in full detail.
Skip typing this out yourself
Answer a few simple questions and our free tool builds a complete, formatted bill of sale like the one above — ready to download as a printable PDF.
Create your bill of sale →The sections, one at a time
- Parties — the full names (and usually addresses) of the buyer and seller.
- Item description — specific identifying details: for a car, that's year/make/model/VIN/odometer; for other items, a clear description and any serial numbers.
- Condition — the item's state and any known defects the seller discloses.
- Purchase price and payment method — the agreed amount and how it was paid.
- Standard legal clauses — "as-is" language, a warranty that the seller actually owns the item, and who's responsible if something happens to it after the sale.
- Signatures and date — both parties sign, and each keeps a copy.
Does every bill of sale look exactly the same?
No — and that's fine. A bill of sale doesn't have a single official government layout. It can be:
- Handwritten on plain paper — perfectly valid as long as it covers the key sections and both parties sign.
- Typed from a template — the most common approach, since it's faster and less likely to leave something out.
- State-specific — some states or DMVs offer their own official vehicle bill of sale form, which may be required in addition to (or instead of) a general one for title/registration purposes.
What matters isn't the exact layout — it's that the essential information is there and both parties sign.
Get a free printable template
If you'd rather not format one from scratch, our free generator builds the whole document for you — with the fields and clauses adjusted automatically based on what you're selling (vehicle, boat, furniture, electronics, livestock, and more). The result is a clean, printable PDF ready to sign, with no account, no software to install, and no payment.
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Free, instant, and printable — just like the example above.
Start the free Bill of Sale generator →Frequently asked questions
Does a bill of sale have to be typed?
No. A clearly written, handwritten bill of sale is generally just as valid as a typed one, as long as it includes the key information and both parties sign it.
What paper size or format should I use?
Standard US Letter size (8.5" x 11") is typical and what our free tool generates. There's no special paper requirement for a general bill of sale.
Is a photo of a handwritten bill of sale acceptable?
Often yes for personal records, but if you need to submit it somewhere official (like a DMV), check whether they require an original signed copy rather than a photo or scan.
Where can I get a free printable bill of sale template?
Our free Bill of Sale generator creates a complete, printable PDF for you based on a few guided questions — no download of a blank template required.
Related reading: How to Write a Bill of Sale → · Do You Need a Bill of Sale for a Used Car? → · Bill of Sale vs. Title → · When Is Notarization Needed? → · Horse Bill of Sale: What to Include →
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