How to Write a Bill of Sale in Washington
A bill of sale in Washington must include specific required fields to be valid for title transfer at the DMV. Washington does not require notarization for a standard private-party bill of sale, though it is always a good idea for high-value transactions.
7 Required Fields on a Washington Bill of Sale
- 1Full legal names and addresses of buyer and seller
- 2VIN (17 characters)
- 3Year, make, model, and color of the vehicle
- 4Odometer reading in miles (required by federal law and state law)
- 5Sale price — both in numerals and written form
- 6Sale date
- 7Signatures of both buyer and seller
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a handwritten bill of sale valid in Washington?▾
Yes — a handwritten bill of sale is legally valid in Washington as long as both parties sign it and all required fields are included. A typed or printed document is preferred for DMV purposes as it is clearer and less likely to be questioned.
Does Washington require a bill of sale for private vehicle sales?▾
Washington strongly recommends a bill of sale for all private vehicle sales. It provides legal protection for both parties and is typically required to transfer the title at the DMV.
What happens if I skip the odometer reading on a Washington bill of sale?▾
Omitting the odometer reading is a federal violation under the Truth in Mileage Act (49 U.S.C. § 32705) for vehicles under 10 model years old. The Washington DMV may also reject the bill of sale, delaying the title transfer.
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