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How to Fill Out a Bill of Sale in Maryland

A step-by-step guide to every field on a Maryland vehicle bill of sale — with a free filled-in example you can download instantly.

Maryland's Form VR-005 fill-out comes with a warning label on the price field: the MVA charges its 6% excise tax on the HIGHER of your written price and the vehicle's book value — and for vehicles 7 years old or newer, a bill of sale showing a price more than $500 below book must be NOTARIZED to be accepted as the tax base. That's Maryland's unusual conditional notary rule: an ordinary sale needs no notary at all, but a genuinely-cheap sale of a newer car does. Fill in the parties, vehicle, VIN, odometer, actual price, date, and both signatures; the buyer has a comfortable 60-day window to title at the MVA, plus Maryland's safety inspection to schedule before registration.

Notarization:Not required
Title deadline:60 days
Sales tax:6.5%
Official form:VR-181
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Vehicle Bill of Sale · Maryland
Maryland Requirements: Transfer title within 60 days. 6.5% excise tax.

Seller Information

Buyer Information

Vehicle Details

Sale Information

Condition & Warranty

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Step-by-Step: Every Field Explained

1

Seller Information

  • Full legal name
  • Current mailing address
  • City, state, ZIP code
  • Phone number (optional but recommended)
Tip: Match the ownership document precisely: if the title says a middle initial, this line says a middle initial, or the Maryland DMV will notice.
2

Buyer Information

  • Full legal name
  • Current mailing address
  • City, state, ZIP code
  • Phone number (optional)
Tip: This name follows the vehicle to the DMV — the buyer's ID and this line need to agree.
3

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
Tip: The 17 characters must match the title exactly; copy them from the vehicle itself (dash or door jamb) rather than from a listing.
4

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: buyer owes 6.5% Maryland sales tax on the sale price at registration
Tip: This figure feeds the 6.5% sales tax — understating it doesn't survive the value comparison the Maryland DMV runs.
5

Seller Signature

  • Seller's signature (must match title)
  • Printed name
  • Date signed
Tip: Notarization isn't part of the Maryland process. The signatures close the deal; the filed copy is what protects you afterwards.
6

Buyer Signature

  • Buyer's signature
  • Printed name
  • Date signed
Tip: Make it two signed originals so both sides hold equal evidence; copies made later never carry the same weight.

Get a Pre-Filled Maryland Example

Use the generator above to create a filled-in Maryland bill of sale example in under 60 seconds. All fields are pre-configured for Maryland requirements — notarization not required, MD sales tax at 6.5%, and 60-day transfer deadline noted.

VehicleCarUsed CarMotorcycle

Other Forms Required in Maryland

Along with the bill of sale, you may need these additional documents for a Maryland vehicle transfer:

  • Form VR-005 (Application for Certificate of Title)
  • Form VR-181 (Maryland Notarized Bill of Sale)

Frequently Asked Questions

When does a Maryland bill of sale need to be notarized?
Only in one scenario: the vehicle is 7 model years old or newer AND the sale price is more than $500 below the vehicle's book value — then the MVA requires a notarized bill of sale to accept your price as the excise-tax base. Routine sales need no notary.
How does the MVA calculate the 6% excise tax?
On the greater of the sale price and the state-recognized book value (with a statutory minimum). Writing a low price doesn't reduce the tax unless the notarized-bill-of-sale route (for newer vehicles) or documented condition justifies it.
What inspection does the buyer need?
Maryland's one-time safety inspection at a licensed station — required before the vehicle can be registered (a 90-day temporary registration exists for getting it done). Budget it alongside the excise tax.
How long does the buyer have to complete the transfer?
60 days — one of the longer windows in the region. But the safety inspection and insurance need to be lined up before registration, so starting early beats the deadline comfortably.

Maryland Bill of Sale Hub

All requirements, tax rates, deadlines, and forms for Maryland.

View Maryland guide →
Official Form

VR-181

A bill of sale documents the private sale and, via the notarized VR-181, lets the excise tax be based on a genuinely below-book price. VR-005 is the title application filed with it.

VR-181 guide →

Maryland Templates by Vehicle

Maryland Vehicle Bill of SaleMaryland Car Bill of SaleMaryland Used Car Bill of SaleMaryland Motorcycle Bill of SaleMaryland Boat Bill of SaleMaryland Trailer Bill of SaleMaryland Horse Bill of SaleMaryland ATV Bill of SaleMaryland Gun / Firearm Bill of SaleMaryland RV Bill of SaleMaryland General Bill of SaleMaryland Free Printable Bill of SaleMaryland Odometer Disclosure Bill of SaleMaryland As-Is Bill of SaleMaryland Gift Bill of Sale

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