Texas Bill of Sale
Create a Texas vehicle bill of sale and email yourself the PDF. Notarization is not required in Texas.
Texas does not require a vehicle bill of sale to be notarized. A federal odometer disclosure is required for most vehicles, so record the mileage at the time of sale. Texas uses Form 130-U for title application, and the bill of sale supports the private sale record.
Texas: notarization is not required, but an odometer disclosure is required for most vehicles.
Open prefilled Texas generatorHow to sell a vehicle privately in Texas
A private vehicle sale in Texas comes down to a clean paper trail and a prompt title transfer. The buyer and seller agree on a price, then the seller signs over the title and provides a bill of sale that records who sold the vehicle, who bought it, the vehicle identification number (VIN), the sale price, and the date. Texas does not require the bill of sale itself to be notarized, so you can complete it without a notary.
Your bill of sale should capture the full legal names and addresses of both parties, the year, make, and model of the vehicle, the VIN, the agreed price, and the odometer reading on the day of sale. The federal odometer disclosure rule applies to most vehicles under roughly 20 years old, so write the mileage down accurately and have both parties acknowledge it. An "as-is" line is common in private Texas sales and makes clear there is no warranty.
To finish the transfer, the buyer takes the signed title, the bill of sale, and Application for Texas Title and/or Registration (Form 130-U) to a county tax office, usually within 30 days of the sale to avoid late transfer penalties. The buyer pays motor vehicle sales tax (calculated on the sale price or the standard presumptive value, whichever applies) along with title and registration fees at that time.
Keep a signed copy for your own records. The seller should also file a Vehicle Transfer Notification with the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles so the state's records show the vehicle is no longer in the seller's name, which helps protect the seller from tolls or tickets the new owner might incur.
Official form: Texas Form 130-U
What to know in Texas
Frequently asked questions
Does Texas require a notarized bill of sale?
No. Texas does not require a vehicle bill of sale to be notarized. Both parties simply sign it, and the buyer uses it alongside Form 130-U for the title transfer.
Do I need an odometer reading in Texas?
Yes. A federal odometer disclosure is required for most vehicles at the time of sale, so record the mileage and have both buyer and seller acknowledge it.
What form does Texas use for a vehicle title transfer?
Texas uses Application for Texas Title and/or Registration, Form 130-U, filed at a county tax office. The bill of sale supports the private sale record.
Can I write my own bill of sale in Texas?
Yes. Texas accepts a self-written bill of sale as long as it includes the buyer, seller, VIN, sale price, odometer reading, and date. A clear template helps make sure nothing is missed.
Do both the buyer and seller need to sign in Texas?
It is strongly recommended. Having both parties sign documents the agreement, confirms the odometer reading, and gives each side a record of the sale.
Important note
This is practical paperwork guidance, not legal advice. State DMV rules change; confirm current titling, notarization, and odometer requirements with Texas before relying on this document.