Connecticut H-31 — Bill of Sale
Form H-31 is Connecticut's official bill of sale for motor vehicles, issued by the CT DMV. It documents the private sale for title transfer purposes and establishes the sale price for Connecticut's 6.35% motor vehicle sales tax.
Free PDF includes a light diagonal watermark. Go Pro to remove it. Already subscribed? Sign in.
State rules change. We check these requirements against official state sources, but details can go out of date. Confirm with your state's motor vehicle agency before you rely on them. If you notice anything wrong or outdated, email support@billofsale.app.
About H-31
Official name: Connecticut H-31 — Bill of Sale for Motor Vehicles
Issued by: Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles
Purpose: Documents a private motor vehicle sale in Connecticut for title transfer at DMV. Records the sale price that the DMV compares with the NADA average trade-in value for the 6.35% CT sales tax (the higher figure is taxed).
When required: Required whenever a Connecticut resident registers a privately bought vehicle — the DMV says a bill of sale is always required, along with proof of ownership, to process a new registration (title needed for vehicles 20 model years old or newer; older vehicles are title-exempt and transfer on the registration and bill of sale). The buyer registers at the DMV, where tax is assessed on the higher of the bill of sale price or NADA average trade-in value.
What H-31 is
H-31 (Rev. 1-2017) is the Bill of Sale of the Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles, Branch Operations Division. It covers the sale of a motor vehicle, a vessel or another item you name.
The seller fills it in, signs it, hands it to the buyer and keeps a copy. The buyer brings it to the DMV together with the other forms needed to register.
What it asks for
- The seller's and the buyer's names and addresses, and the selling price.
- A sentence in which the seller transfers the vehicle or vessel to the buyer for that price and acknowledges receiving it.
- For a motor vehicle: make, year, color(s), model name or number, body style, odometer reading and VIN.
- For a vessel: model year, make, hull ID number (required if built in 1973 or later), colors, model, length, and any out-of-state vessel number and state.
- The seller's signature and the date, under a declaration made under penalty of false statement.
Why the price on it matters
The DMV compares the price on the bill of sale with the vehicle's NADA average trade-in value and charges sales tax on the higher of the two: 6.35%, or 7.75% for vehicles over $50,000. Gifts and transfers between immediate family members can be exempt; ask the DMV what proof it needs.
Timing
- The seller's registration ends when ownership passes. The buyer cannot drive or park the car on a highway until it is registered in their name.
- Vehicles 20 model years old or newer need a title. Older vehicles are title-exempt and change hands on the registration and a bill of sale.
Connecticut Vehicle Sale Requirements
What to Include in a Connecticut Bill of Sale
A complete bill of sale usually includes:
- Seller name, address
- Buyer name, address
- Year, make, model
- VIN
- Odometer
- Sale price
- Date of sale
- Both signatures
Official Source
Download the official H-31 directly from Connecticut DMV, or use our free generator above to pre-fill a state-specific Connecticut bill of sale.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Form H-31 required in Connecticut?
What is Connecticut's sales tax on cars?
Who fills out Form H-31?
Does H-31 need to be notarized?
Sources we checked
- H-31 Bill of Sale (Rev. 1-2017), Connecticut DMV (read 2026-09-25)
- Proof of vehicle ownership, Connecticut DMV (read 2026-09-14)
- Sales tax on registrations, Connecticut DMV (read 2026-09-14)
Connecticut Templates by Vehicle
Connecticut Bill of Sale Hub
All Connecticut requirements: notarization, transfer deadlines, tax rates, and additional forms.
View Connecticut guide →