How to Write a Vehicle Bill of Sale in Florida

Step-by-step guide to writing a valid Florida vehicle bill of sale — required fields, notarization rules, and official forms.

Required Fields in a Florida Bill of Sale

•Seller full legal name and address
•Buyer full legal name and address
•Vehicle year, make, model
•VIN
•Odometer reading
•Sale price in dollars
•Date of sale
•As Is disclosure (if applicable)
•Seller signature
•Buyer signature

Notarization: Not Required

Florida does not require notarization of a private vehicle bill of sale. Notarization is required on some DMV forms (HSMV 82040) but not on a standard bill of sale.

Witness: Not Required

Florida does not require witnesses for a vehicle bill of sale in a private transaction.

6-Step Guide: Writing a Florida Bill of Sale

1
Gather Vehicle Information
Write down the vehicle year, make, model, VIN (found on the dashboard or door jamb), current odometer reading, and agreed sale price.
2
Add Parties' Information
Record the seller's full legal name and address, and the buyer's full legal name and address. Use names exactly as they appear on government-issued ID.
3
Write the Sale Terms
State the agreed sale price in full (e.g., "Fifteen Thousand Dollars ($15,000)"). Include an As Is clause if selling without warranty: "Vehicle sold as-is with no expressed or implied warranty."
4
Include Required Disclosures
In Florida, include an odometer disclosure for vehicles under 10 model years old. Note any known defects in writing.
5
Sign and Date
Both buyer and seller sign and date the document. Florida does not require notarization for a private vehicle bill of sale.
6
Make Copies for Both Parties
Each party should retain a signed original or a signed copy. The seller should keep a copy for at least 3 years.

Florida DHSMV

https://www.flhsmv.gov ↗

Florida Note

Florida sales tax is calculated at the county tax collector office when the buyer completes title transfer. An accurate bill of sale with the true purchase price ensures the correct tax is assessed. Florida's state sales tax is 6% plus applicable county surtax.

Frequently Asked Questions

What fields are required on a Florida vehicle bill of sale?

Seller full legal name and address, Buyer full legal name and address, Vehicle year, make, model, VIN, Odometer reading, Sale price in dollars, Date of sale, As Is disclosure (if applicable), Seller signature, Buyer signature.

Does a Florida bill of sale need to be notarized?

Florida does not require notarization of a private vehicle bill of sale. Notarization is required on some DMV forms (HSMV 82040) but not on a standard bill of sale.

Does Florida require a specific bill of sale form?

Florida does not have a mandatory standardized bill of sale form for private vehicle transactions. A written document containing all required fields is legally sufficient.

Do I need witnesses on a Florida bill of sale?

Florida does not require witnesses for a vehicle bill of sale in a private transaction.

What is an As Is clause and should I include it in Florida?

An As Is clause states the vehicle is sold without any expressed or implied warranty. In Florida, an As Is clause protects the seller from post-sale claims about vehicle condition. Always include it for private party sales and list any known defects separately.

How many copies of the bill of sale should I make in Florida?

Make at least two signed copies — one for the seller and one for the buyer. Some Florida DMV offices request a copy during the title transfer process. The seller should retain a copy for at least 3 years as a record of the transaction.

Skip the Writing — Generate It in 60 Seconds

Use our free Florida bill of sale generator. All required fields pre-filled, As Is clause included, ready to print and sign.

Generate Florida Bill of Sale

How to Write a Vehicle Bill of Sale in Florida

Required Fields in a Florida Bill of Sale

6-Step Guide: Writing a Florida Bill of Sale

Frequently Asked Questions

Trusted by private vehicle sellers nationwide