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How to Write a Vehicle Bill of Sale in Texas

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

Required Fields in a Texas Bill of Sale

Notarization: Not Required

Texas does not require notarization of a private vehicle bill of sale. The title (Form 130-U) is the primary transfer document. The bill of sale documents the transaction price for tax purposes.

Witness: Not Required

Texas does not require witnesses to a vehicle bill of sale for private party sales.

Official Texas Form: Form 130-U

Texas uses Form 130-U (Application for Texas Title) as the primary title transfer and tax document. A separate bill of sale is commonly used to document the transaction price and As Is condition. Both documents should be completed at the time of sale.

6-Step Guide: Writing a Texas Bill of Sale

  1. 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. 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. 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. 4
    Include Required Disclosures
    In Texas, include an odometer disclosure for vehicles under 10 model years old. Note any known defects in writing.
  5. 5
    Sign and Date
    Both buyer and seller sign and date the document. Texas does not require notarization for a private vehicle bill of sale.
  6. 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.
Texas DMV
https://www.txdmv.gov ↗
Texas Note

Texas motor vehicle sales tax (6.25%) is calculated on the purchase price shown on Form 130-U or the standard presumptive value (SPV), whichever is greater. An accurate bill of sale with the true sale price protects the buyer from overpaying tax.

Frequently Asked Questions

What fields are required on a Texas 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, Seller signature, Buyer signature, County of sale.
Does a Texas bill of sale need to be notarized?
Texas does not require notarization of a private vehicle bill of sale. The title (Form 130-U) is the primary transfer document. The bill of sale documents the transaction price for tax purposes.
Does Texas require a specific bill of sale form?
Texas uses Form 130-U (Application for Texas Title) as the primary title transfer and tax document. A separate bill of sale is commonly used to document the transaction price and As Is condition. Both documents should be completed at the time of sale.
Do I need witnesses on a Texas bill of sale?
Texas does not require witnesses to a vehicle bill of sale for private party sales.
What is an As Is clause and should I include it in Texas?
An As Is clause states the vehicle is sold without any expressed or implied warranty. In Texas, 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 Texas?
Make at least two signed copies — one for the seller and one for the buyer. Some Texas 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.
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45% faster sale

Vehicles whose listings include a history report spend ~45% less time on site before selling, and report-viewers are 5x more likely to become a lead.

Source: Experian / AutoCheck

$4,000 avg loss

NHTSA estimates 450,000+ vehicles per year are sold with rolled-back odometers — the average victim loses about $4,000 in downstream repair costs.

Source: NHTSA

17.5M private sales/yr

About 17.5 million private-party vehicle transactions happen in the U.S. each year — roughly 47% of the used market.

Source: Cox Automotive 2024

1 in 3 buyers

Roughly 1 in 3 used-car buyers say they suspect private sellers are hiding mechanical problems — documentation closes that trust gap.

Source: JW Surety Bonds (n=3,000)

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Mobile notary visit minimums run $60–$85 — higher on weekends, plus per-mile travel fees. State-formatted documents skip the trip.

Source: Thumbtack / NNA