How to Fill Out a Bill of Sale in Maine
A step-by-step guide to every field on a Maine vehicle bill of sale — with a free filled-in example you can download instantly.
Maine spreads its counter work across two venues — BMV branch offices AND town offices (many Maine towns process registrations as municipal agents) — and hands the buyer a distinctive two-step: pay the 5.5% sales tax AND the annual municipal excise tax (based on the vehicle's original MSRP, not your price) before plates go on. Fill out a complete bill of sale — the BMV publishes its own form, and a signed bill of sale is required to register a private-sale vehicle: parties, vehicle, VIN, odometer, true price, date, both signatures, no notary. Maine titles only vehicles 25 model years old and newer, making the bill of sale the primary ownership record for older cars. Maine sets no fixed day count for a private buyer, but the vehicle must be registered before it is driven on a public way; the excise-tax stop at the town office is the step out-of-staters often miss.
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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 We check these requirements against official state sources, but details can go out of date.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 If you notice anything wrong or outdated, email support@billofsale.app.
Step-by-Step: Every Field Explained
Seller Information
- Full legal name
- Current mailing address
- City, state, ZIP code
- Phone number (optional but recommended)
Buyer Information
- Full legal name
- Current mailing address
- City, state, ZIP code
- Phone number (optional)
Vehicle Description
- Vehicle year (4-digit)
- Make (manufacturer — e.g., Ford, Toyota)
- Model (e.g., F-150, Camry)
- Body style (e.g., sedan, pickup, SUV)
- Color
- VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) — 17 characters, found on the dashboard or door jamb
- Odometer reading at time of sale
Sale Details
- Sale price in US dollars (write out both numerals and words — e.g., "$8,500 — Eight thousand five hundred dollars")
- Payment method (cash, check, electronic transfer)
- Date of sale (month / day / year)
- Note: the buyer pays Maine tax at registration (5.5% sales tax)
Seller Signature
- Seller's signature (must match title)
- Printed name
- Date signed
Buyer Signature
- Buyer's signature
- Printed name
- Date signed
Get a Pre-Filled Maine Example
Use the generator above to create a filled-in Maine bill of sale example in under 60 seconds. Fields are set up for Maine — no notary section, ME sales tax at 5.5%, and the title-transfer rule (no fixed day count) noted.
Other Forms Required in Maine
Along with the bill of sale, you may need these additional documents for a Maine vehicle transfer:
- Application for Title (Form MVT-2) — obtained at a town or BMV branch office, not online
- Maine BMV Motor Vehicle Bill of Sale (official PDF)
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Maine's excise tax and how is it different from sales tax?
Where does the buyer complete the Maine transfer?
Which vehicles are title-exempt in Maine?
Does Maine require a notarized bill of sale?
Maine Bill of Sale Hub
All requirements, tax rates, deadlines, and forms for Maine.
View Maine guide →Maine Bill of Sale Form
Documents a private vehicle sale in Maine; required to register a vehicle purchased from an individual and used to calculate the 5.5% sales tax. For vehicles below Maine's rolling 25-year titling cutoff, it is the primary ownership document.
Form guide →