Does Texas have an official bill of sale form?

No. Unlike some states, Texas does not publish an official state-issued private-sale bill of sale form. TxDMV recommends a written bill of sale that captures parties, vehicle, price, odometer, date and signatures — but accepts any format that contains those details.

Do I need a notary on a Texas bill of sale?

No. A notary is not required for a private vehicle sale in Texas. The signatures of buyer and seller are enough. Some buyers / sellers choose notarization for extra assurance, but it is optional.

Can I write 'gift' instead of a sale price?

Yes, but if the vehicle is gifted between qualified family members and you want to use the lower $10 gift tax instead of 6.25% sales tax, the buyer must file Form 14-317 (Affidavit of Motor Vehicle Gift Transfer) at the county tax office along with Form 130-U.

Is an as-is clause enforceable in Texas?

Yes. Texas presumes private vehicle sales are as-is. Including an explicit as-is clause in the bill of sale further documents that the buyer accepts the vehicle in its current condition with no warranty from the seller.

Texas guide

What to Include in a Texas Car Bill of Sale

Texas does not issue an official state form for a private car sale bill of sale. Title transfer is done with Form 130-U + the signed Certificate of Title. Still, TxDMV recommends a written bill of sale to document the transaction. A well-drafted Texas bill of sale should include the following fields so it's accepted at the county tax assessor-collector office and protects both parties.

Required / recommended fields

Seller's full legal name, address and signature.
Buyer's full legal name, address and signature.
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN).
Year, make, model and body type.
Current odometer reading (in miles).
Sale price in U.S. dollars (or indication that the vehicle is a gift).
Date of sale.
An "as-is" clause — Texas private sales are presumed as-is with no warranty.

Recommended additional details

Method of payment (cash, certified check, bank transfer).
Disclosure of any known damage, salvage history or mechanical defects.
Indication of who keeps the license plates (Texas defaults to plates-with-vehicle).
Photos of the odometer, VIN plate and overall condition.

CarSaleDoc generates a Texas bill of sale with all these fields plus the optional as-is clause and photo exhibits. The buyer still needs to file Form 130-U at the county tax office and the seller should file VTR-346 to release liability.

Ready to create your bill of sale?

Free to start. Pay only when you're ready to download and sign.

FAQ

3-minute flow

From scan to signed in 3 minutes — for Texas sellers and buyers

Every step happens online. Snap your ID, fill the bill of sale, sign with your finger or mouse, and the signed PDF lands in both inboxes — ready for Form 130-U at the county tax office.

00:30

Step 1

Scan your ID

Snap a photo. We auto-fill your name and address from your driver's license.

01:30

Step 2

Fill the digital form

VIN decodes the vehicle automatically. Add price, odometer and as-is terms.

02:30

Step 3

Sign online

Sign with your finger or mouse. Send a secure link to the other party.

03:00

Step 4

PDF delivered

Both parties get the signed, encrypted PDF copy by email. Done.

3-minute flow

Create your Texas Car Bill of Sale in 3 minutes

Free to start. Pay only when you're ready to download and sign — $4.99 for the final, clean PDF emailed to both parties.

Encrypted PDF

Preview is watermarked & copy-protected

3-minute flow

Scan ID, sign, done

No charge until you sign

$4.99 — pay only at the final step

Testimonial reflects a typical CarSaleDoc user experience. CarSaleDoc is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice. State DMV requirements vary.

Compare across states

How the same topic works in other states

Selling across state lines? Compare how this part of the process changes in California, New York, Texas and Florida.

More Texas guides

Texas Title Transfer with Form 130-U

What the Texas buyer files with Form 130-U at the county tax office to register and get a new title — and the 30-day deadline.

Read guide

Texas Odometer Disclosure for Private Car Sales

Federal TIMA rules + how to fill the odometer section on the back of the Texas title — and which vehicles are exempt.

Read guide

CarSaleDoc is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice. This guide is for general informational purposes only. Texas DMV and Comptroller requirements may vary depending on the vehicle, title status and county. Always check official Texas DMV and Texas Comptroller resources before completing a vehicle transfer.

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