If you are a party in a private car sale, filling out a bill of sale is an important step. A bill of sale may not be legally required in your home state, but it’s probably a good idea to fill one out anyway because it will help record and establish the transaction details.
We've put together everything you need to know about drawing up a Wisconsin bill of sale—whether you choose to download the state DMV form or create your own.
A bill of sale provides buyers and sellers with a private sale receipt for a vehicle. These documents generally contain useful information about the car being transferred.
Bills of sale typically include essential elements like the vehicle identification number (VIN), the odometer reading at the time of sale, and the purchase price agreed upon by buyer and seller. You can also use the bill of sale to find the information about the signatures and addresses of both the buyer and seller.
However, completing a bill of sale does not legally transfer ownership of the car.
Is a bill of sale required in Wisconsin?
It is not required to complete a bill of sale for private car sales in Wisconsin. But as a matter of best practice, you should always fill out a bill of sale if you are a buyer or seller in a private vehicle sale.
A bill of sale will act as proof of the details of the transaction—such as odometer reading and the purchase price.
What is required in a Wisconsin bill of sale?
If you are writing up your bill of sale, you need to include all the following information:
When the car is being gifted to a family member, substitute the car’s value for the purchase price. Additionally, be sure to indicate that the transfer of ownership is taking place as a gift.
What should I do after I get a bill of sale?
Always hold onto a copy of the bill of sale to keep in your records. You could need this document as proof of the terms of the sale if you are pursuing or facing legal consequences following the sale.
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