Looking for a bill of sale for car in MA? It is a written record of a private vehicle sale in Massachusetts. It names the seller, the buyer, the vehicle, the price and the date of the sale. When the previous title has no space for a sales price, the state asks for a bill of sale that shows it.[2] Download our free Massachusetts template or fill it out online.
Last Updated: October 2026. This guide is reviewed and updated regularly to reflect current Massachusetts law. If you notice an error or outdated information, please contact us.
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| Document Name | Massachusetts Vehicle Bill of Sale Form |
| Other Names | Massachusetts Car Bill of Sale, Massachusetts Automobile Bill of Sale |
| DMV | Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles |
| Bill of Sale Required? | Yes, when the previous title has no space for a sales price[2] |
| Avg. Time to Fill Out | 7 minutes |
FormsPal has Massachusetts bill of sale templates for four kinds of private sales: a motor vehicle, a boat, a firearm and general items. Each card below says what the form records and lets you download a free PDF template. The links at the bottom of the page lead to bill of sale forms for other states.
Massachusetts motor vehicle bill of sale records the sale of a car, truck or other motor vehicle between a private seller and a buyer. It lists the seller, the buyer, the vehicle, the price and the date of sale.
| Alternative Name | Car Bill of Sale |
| Seller’s Signature | Required |
| Buyer’s Signature | Required |
| Notarization | Optional |
| Download | PDF Template |
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Use a Massachusetts boat bill of sale when you sell or buy a boat. It records the boat, the seller, the buyer, the price and the date of sale.
| Alternative Name | Vessel Bill of Sale |
| Seller’s Signature | Required |
| Buyer’s Signature | Required |
| Notarization | Optional |
| Download | PDF Template |
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Fill in the Massachusetts gun bill of sale to record a firearm sale between a private seller and a buyer. It lists the firearm, the seller, the buyer, the price and the date of sale.
| Alternative Name | Gun Bill of Sale |
| Seller’s Signature | Required |
| Buyer’s Signature | Optional |
| Notarization | Optional |
| Download | PDF Template |
In a general form, you can outline the details of the transfer of any personal property.
| Alternative Name | Generic Bill of Sale |
| Seller’s Signature | Required |
| Buyer’s Signature | Optional |
| Notarization | Optional |
| Download | PDF Template |
A bill of sale for car in MA records who sold which vehicle to whom, for how much and when. When the previous title has no space for a sales price, a bill of sale showing the sales price must be submitted.[2] The RMV has no official bill of sale form, and a handwritten one is valid.[1]
If the previous title does not have a space for a sales price, a bill of sale showing the sales price must be submitted.
Our Massachusetts template has a place for each of these details:
Our template also has a witness line and an acknowledgment page for people who want a notary to sign.
Massachusetts does not require a bill of sale when the seller signs over a title that shows the sale price. A vehicle that is exempt from titling because of its age also needs one: the buyer submits the previous owner’s registration and a bill of sale.[2]
The steps below follow our Massachusetts motor vehicle bill of sale template, from the date at the top to the acknowledgment on the last page. Fill in each part in the order the form shows it. You can create the form online, print the PDF and write it by hand, or fill in the PDF with our PDF editor.
Step 1: Date
Write the date on the DATE line at the top of page 1.
Step 2: Seller’s Information
Fill in the seller’s name, street address, city, state, zip code, telephone number and email address.
Step 3: Buyer’s Information
Enter the same details for the buyer.
Step 4: Motor Vehicle Description
Write both names in the sentence at the top of this part. Then fill in these fields:
Step 5: Purchase Date and Total Price
On page 2, enter the purchase date and the total purchase price in U.S. dollars.
Step 6: How the Price Is Paid
Check one option: all at once, trade-in, deposit with a balance date, or gift. For a trade-in, add the buyer’s vehicle details. For a deposit, add the amount and both dates.
Step 7: Payment Method and Taxes
Select Cash, Check (with the check number), Cashier’s check or Money Order. Then check whether taxes are included in the purchase price.
Step 8: Miscellaneous Provisions
On page 3, read the three paragraphs before you sign. This part has nothing to fill in. It covers the seller’s ownership statement, the as-is sale and the entire agreement.
Step 9: Signatures
The seller and the buyer each sign, date and print their name. The form also has a Witness line.
Step 10: Acknowledgment
To have the form notarized, sign before the notary in the acknowledgment on page 4.
A bill of sale does not transfer the title by itself. When the owner of a vehicle with a certificate of title transfers it, the title must be transferred to the buyer. Except as provided in section sixteen and as between the parties, a transfer by an owner is not effective until the provisions of this section and section eighteen have been complied with.[3]
Under Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 90D, § 15, each side has its own job:
Buyers commonly bring a few papers to the Registry of Motor Vehicles. Requirements change, so check the RMV website before you go. Massachusetts requires a vehicle to be titled within 10 days of purchase, and the RMV handles the registration and title application together. After registering, you have 7 days to get the vehicle inspected.[2] Papers people often gather:
If you have a bill of sale but no title, read our guide to getting a vehicle title with a bill of sale.
The application is provided by the Registry of Motor Vehicles. You can use it to register and title your vehicle.
People who sell a car to a private buyer in Massachusetts often ask what paperwork the sale needs and whether a notary has to be involved. The answers below rely on the Massachusetts RMV and on the state’s title transfer law.
You need the certificate of title, properly assigned to the buyer. After the vehicle is delivered, the buyer must promptly execute the application for a new certificate of title. Ownership generally does not pass to the buyer until the title is properly assigned or a new certificate is issued in the buyer’s name.[3] If the previous title has no space for a sales price, add a bill of sale that shows the price.[2]
Massachusetts has no statute that requires a bill of sale to be notarized. Our template includes an acknowledgment page for people who want a notary to sign.
Other Massachusetts Forms
General information, not legal or tax advice.
