Texas Bill of Sale for a Car
A separate bill of sale is not required for a private car sale in Texas — the signed-over title transfers ownership. Texas does not require a separate bill of sale for a private vehicle sale; the signed title assignment plus Form 130-U with the sales price clearly shown serve as the sale documentation, and TxDMV advises both parties to keep detailed written records of the transaction (buyer/seller contact info, date of sale, VIN).
Verified against official Texas sources · 2026-07-08 · Reviewed by the CarWhere Vehicle Data Team
Bill of sale
Not required
Bill of sale notary
No
Official form
None (any document)
Official source: www.txdmv.gov · Free printable Texas template →
What a Texas car bill of sale must include
- Sales price (entered on Form 130-U, signed and dated by the seller)
- Buyer and seller names and contact information (recommended written record)
- Date of sale
- Vehicle information including VIN
- Odometer reading (on title assignment / Form 130-U)
Odometer disclosure is made on the title assignment at transfer (the seller provides a properly signed title including date of sale and odometer reading, also entered on Form 130-U), with TxDMV's separate Odometer Disclosure Statement (Form VTR-40) used when the title does not accommodate the disclosure; federal exemptions such as vehicles 20 or more model years old apply.
Before you sign: run the VIN
Once you sign, the car — and its problems — are yours. The $9.99 Full VIN Report shows open recalls for that VIN, plus complaints and service bulletins for the model, and the original window sticker where available, in about a minute. One-time, no subscription. Run the report →
FAQ
Do you need a bill of sale to sell a car privately in Texas?
No — ownership transfers on the certificate of title. Texas does not require a separate bill of sale for a private vehicle sale; the signed title assignment plus Form 130-U with the sales price clearly shown serve as the sale documentation, and TxDMV advises both parties to keep detailed written records of the transaction (buyer/seller contact info, date of sale, VIN).
Does a Texas car bill of sale have to be notarized?
No. Texas does not require a car bill of sale to be notarized for a standard private sale.
Is there an official Texas bill of sale form?
Texas does not publish a single official statewide car bill of sale form. Any document containing the required details — VIN, price, date, and both parties' names and signatures — is acceptable. Avoid third-party "form fee" services; the details, not the template, are what the state needs.
What should a Texas car bill of sale include?
At minimum: sales price (entered on form 130-u, signed and dated by the seller); buyer and seller names and contact information (recommended written record); date of sale; vehicle information including vin; odometer reading (on title assignment / form 130-u). Odometer disclosure is made on the title assignment at transfer (the seller provides a properly signed title including date of sale and odometer reading, also entered on Form 130-U), with TxDMV's separate Odometer Disclosure Statement (Form VTR-40) used when the title does not accommodate the disclosure; federal exemptions such as vehicles 20 or more model years old apply.
What should I check before signing the Texas bill of sale?
Confirm the VIN on the document matches the dashboard and door-jamb VIN character-for-character, and check the vehicle's history first: the $9.99 CarWhere Full VIN Report shows open recalls for that VIN, plus complaints and service bulletins for the model and the original window sticker where available. Once you sign, the car — and its problems — are yours, so they're cheaper to find before you sign.
Sources: bill-of-sale, notarization, and odometer requirements from Texas DMV/DOR/DOT guidance (linked above). Requirements change by statute — confirm with the state before you sign. Cite this page: CarWhere, "Texas Bill of Sale for a Car," carwhere.com/titles/bill-of-sale/texas, verified 2026-07-08.