# What do I need to write on a vehicle bill of sale?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-i-need-to-write-on-a-vehicle-bill-of-sale/214454>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [November 21, 2003, 5:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-i-need-to-write-on-a-vehicle-bill-of-sale/214454 "2003-11-21T05:53:05Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![racinchikki](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/eada6e/32.png) [@racinchikki](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/racinchikki)\
**Post date:** [November 21, 2003, 5:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-i-need-to-write-on-a-vehicle-bill-of-sale/214454/1 "2003-11-21T05:53:05Z")

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I moved across the country. My car was in my father’s name in New York. I am now registering it in Texas in my own name. My father has told me to write up the bill of sale myself (we’ve agreed upon the sum of $200, which has already been paid) in order to get the title transfered from NY in his name to TX in mine. What do I need to write?

I was thinking “I, racindad, sell to racinchikki this ModelYear Make Model, Color Odometer VIN, for the sum of $200.  
His sig  
My sig”

Is this correct?

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**Author:** ![Desmostylus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c57346/32.png) [@Desmostylus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Desmostylus)\
**Post date:** [November 21, 2003, 6:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-i-need-to-write-on-a-vehicle-bill-of-sale/214454/2 "2003-11-21T06:18:56Z")

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That’d work. Or you could write it as a receipt:

Received from: racinchikki of 15 Credibility Street, Across Country  
The sum of: $200  
Being for: Full payment on ModelYear Make Model, Color Odometer VIN  
Signed: racindad.

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**Author:** ![Gary\_T](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/3ec8ea/32.png) [@Gary\_T](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gary_T)\
**Post date:** [November 21, 2003, 6:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-i-need-to-write-on-a-vehicle-bill-of-sale/214454/3 "2003-11-21T06:25:52Z")

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I’ve done it the way you propose, and it flew in Missouri. Other states might have different requirements.

Here’s a site that offers one: [http://www.hooverwebdesign.com/business/pages/sale\_of\_motor\_vehicle.php](http://www.hooverwebdesign.com/business/pages/sale_of_motor_vehicle.php)

Apparently copied but easier to follow here: [http://www.usaezhost.com/free\_info/pages/sale\_of\_motor\_vehicle.php](http://www.usaezhost.com/free_info/pages/sale_of_motor_vehicle.php)

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**Author:** ![Early\_Out](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/6f9a4e/32.png) [@Early\_Out](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Early_Out)\
**Post date:** [November 21, 2003, 6:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-i-need-to-write-on-a-vehicle-bill-of-sale/214454/4 "2003-11-21T06:42:06Z")

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If you’ve got Excel 97 or newer, you can also use the link to a spreadsheet-based bill of sale at [this site](http://www.carbuyingtips.com/sellused.htm). The “carbuyingtips” website ([here](http://www.carbuyingtips.com)) is a goldmine of information about buying new cars, and buying or selling used cars. Highly recommended reading!