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Texas car bill of sale template

Texas sales run on two papers: the signed title and Form 130-U. A bill of sale is the extra record of what you agreed, and this page helps you make one.

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What Texas asks for
  • The seller signs and dates the back of the title and writes in the odometer reading.
  • The seller completes their part of Form 130-U, the Application for Texas Title and/or Registration, including the sale price. The buyer needs it to title the vehicle.
  • The buyer takes the paperwork to the county tax office within 30 days to title the vehicle in their name.
  • Sellers should file the free Vehicle Transfer Notification on the TxDMV website within 30 days to get the state's protection from liability.
  • The seller takes off their license plates. They can move them to another vehicle.

Texas works from the signed title and Form 130-U. A bill of sale is a useful extra record, and some county offices may ask for one.

Official sources

Based on official guidance reviewed 5 October 2026. Rules change, so check the official page before you sign.

The sale

The sale

Seller

Seller

Buyer

Buyer

The vehicle

The vehicle

The 17-character vehicle identification number on the title.

Odometer

Odometer

Unit
Odometer statement

Do you need a federal odometer statement?

Enter the car's year to see whether federal odometer rules are likely to apply.

This is general information, not legal advice. Read the official rule (opens in a new tab)

Condition and title

Condition and title

Condition of sale
Liens

0 / 600

Texas paperwork

Texas paperwork

Signing

Signing

Only some places require it. Check your state.

After the sale

A checklist for you. It is not printed and is never part of the document.

0 of 5 done

Your deadline

Vehicle Transfer Notification: by November 4, 2026.

Sellers should file the Vehicle Transfer Notification within 30 days of the sale to get the state's protection from liability.

Check the official page for the current deadline.

How it works

  1. Fill in

    Type your details. Leave anything blank and it prints as a line to write on.

  2. Check the preview

    The page on the right updates as you type, exactly as it will print.

  3. Download

    Save a PDF or Word file, or print it. Nothing is sent to us.

Texas sales run on two papers: the signed title and Form 130-U. A bill of sale is the extra record of what you agreed, and this page helps you make one.

What it is

This is a general bill of sale for a car, light truck or van sold in Texas. It records the people, the vehicle, the price, the odometer reading and the condition. It does not replace the title or Form 130-U, which are the papers the state works from. The panel beside the form lists the steps the Texas DMV (TxDMV) asks sellers and buyers to take.

What to include

  • The date of the sale and the city or county in Texas where it took place.
  • The full legal names and addresses of the seller and the buyer, written the way they appear on each person's ID.
  • The year, make, model, body style and color of the car, so there is no doubt about which vehicle changed hands.
  • The full 17-character VIN, copied from the title and checked against the plate on the dashboard or door frame.
  • The odometer reading on the day of the sale and whether it shows the actual mileage.
  • The sale price, how it was paid and whether it was paid in full on the day.
  • Whether the car is sold as-is or with a warranty, and whether any loan or lien is still owed on it.
  • Signatures and dates from both people, plus a notary block if your county or the buyer asks for one.

How to fill it in

  1. Check the title. The seller's name here should match the name on it.
  2. Enter the sale date and the price. Use the same price you will write on Form 130-U.
  3. Fill in both people's details.
  4. Copy the VIN from the title and check it against the car.
  5. Enter the odometer reading and use the helper to see whether a federal statement is likely to apply.
  6. Choose as is or a warranty, and answer the lien question.
  7. Check the preview, download the file, print two copies and sign both.
  8. Then sign the back of the title, complete the seller part of Form 130-U, take off your plates and file the Vehicle Transfer Notification.

Common mistakes

  • Writing one price on the bill of sale and a different one on Form 130-U.
  • Forgetting to enter the odometer reading on the back of the title.
  • Leaving your license plates on the car.
  • Not filing the Vehicle Transfer Notification, which is the step that protects you from liability.
  • Handing over the car before the title is signed.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a bill of sale to sell a car in Texas?

Texas works from the signed title and Form 130-U, which records the sale price. A bill of sale isn't the main paper, but it is a useful record of the date, price and condition, and some county offices may ask for one. Check with your county tax office.

What is Form 130-U?

It is the Application for Texas Title and/or Registration. The seller completes their part, including the sale price, and the buyer uses it to title the vehicle.

What is the Vehicle Transfer Notification?

It is a free notice you file on the TxDMV website to tell the state you sold the vehicle. Sellers should file it within 30 days to get the state's protection from liability.

Who keeps the license plates?

In Texas the seller takes off the plates and can move them to another vehicle.

How long does the buyer have to title the car?

The buyer takes the paperwork to the county tax office within 30 days to title the vehicle in their name.

Official sources

Last reviewed October 5, 2026

Spotted a mistake on this page? Tell us

Quicklet provides general document templates, not legal advice. Laws vary by location.