Free Kansas Vehicle Bill of Sale
Kansas transfers an ordinary titled vehicle on the assigned title, with the purchase price, date of sale and odometer reading written on the back. A bill of sale is required only when the title assignment has no space for the price — then KDOR asks for page 2 of Form TR-12, the Affidavit to a Fact — or when an untitled antique vehicle is sold on Form TR-312. Sales tax ranges from 6.5% in rural counties up to roughly 10% in Johnson County, paid by the buyer at the time of titling — not at the time of sale. You have 60 days from the date of purchase to apply for title and registration before a penalty applies.
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Kansas Vehicle Bill of Sale — What You Need to Know
Sales Tax Details
6.5% state sales tax plus local option tax. Combined rates vary by city and county, so check the Kansas Department of Revenue rate lookup for the buyer's address. Tax is collected by the county treasurer at titling.
Inspection Requirements
No safety inspection required for in-state vehicles. Out-of-state vehicles require a VIN inspection before titling.
Registration
Registration for this vehicle type is handled by County Treasurer's Office — not the same agency that handles cars in Kansas. Plan for separate filings.
Kansas Vehicle Sale — Step-by-Step Checklist
- Seller fills in the purchase price, date of sale and odometer reading on the back of the title; if the title has no space for the price, also complete the bill of sale on page 2 of Form TR-12 (ksrevenue.gov/pdf/tr12.pdf).
- Complete odometer disclosure on the back of the title (federally required for vehicles of model year 2011 or newer).
- Seller signs the title over to the buyer in the designated transfer section — use a pen, no white-out.
- If a lien appears on the title, obtain a signed lien-release letter from the lienholder before closing.
- For out-of-state vehicles, schedule a Kansas Highway Patrol VIN inspection (minimum $20 fee) before visiting the county treasurer.
- Buyer takes the signed title (plus the TR-12 bill of sale if one was needed) and proof of insurance to the county treasurer's office within 60 days and pays 6.5%+ sales tax on the purchase price.
- Both parties keep a copy of the signed title assignment (and any bill of sale) for their records.
Common Pitfalls
- Skipping the lien release: a title that shows a lienholder cannot be transferred until the county treasurer receives written proof of payoff — buyers who ignore this end up with an untransferable vehicle.
- Missing the 60-day window: Kansas adds a penalty after 60 days. The buyer — not the seller — is responsible, but it sours deals quickly.
- Underreporting the sale price: Kansas law has the seller certify the purchase price on the title assignment, and the buyer's sales tax is figured on it — a false figure is a false certification.
- Forgetting the VIN inspection on out-of-state vehicles: without it, the county treasurer will turn the buyer away, requiring a separate trip to a law-enforcement agency.
- White-out or correction fluid on the title: Kansas county treasurers reject altered titles outright. Ask the county treasurer how to fix an error; it may require a corrected or duplicate title.
Pro Tip
For a clean Kansas vehicle sale: fill in the price, date and odometer on the back of the title (adding the TR-12 bill of sale only if there is no space for the price), resolve any lien on the title before the appointment, and confirm whether the buyer needs a VIN inspection ahead of time. Sellers are well-protected once the signed title leaves their hands — Kansas has no seller-notification requirement, but a seller may file an optional form with the Division of Vehicles ($10) showing the title was assigned, which protects them if the buyer never registers the vehicle. Keep your own copy too.