A Minnesota general bill of sale covers private sales of personal property that the state does not title — tools, electronics, livestock, equipment, furniture, and similar items. It records the parties, the item, the price, and the as-is nature of the sale, which is what private transactions usually rely on instead of any state filing. Titled property (cars, boats with motors over 25 HP, ATVs) uses its own MN DVS or MN DNR forms in addition to or instead of this document.
A general bill of sale works for furniture, tools, equipment, or any personal property — but only if written correctly. Our step-by-step guide shows exactly what language to include so the document holds up if there is ever a dispute. Read: How to Write a Bill of Sale (Step-by-Step) →
Minnesota General Bill of Sale — What You Need to Know
Minnesota Department of Public Safety / Minnesota Department of Revenue
Primary ID Field
Serial Number
Sales Tax
Exempt
Title Required
No
For non-titled personal property — tools, electronics, equipment, livestock, furniture — Minnesota has no state title. The bill of sale, with serial numbers where they exist, is the primary ownership record.
Inspection
Not required
Sales Tax Details
Casual private sales between individuals of non-titled personal property are generally not subject to Minnesota sales tax. Business sellers and certain categories (such as titled vehicles) follow separate rules.
Inspection Requirements
No inspection requirement for general personal property private sales.
Registration
Registration for this vehicle type is handled by No state registration for general personal property; titled vehicles, boats with motors over 25 HP, and ATVs follow their own rules at MN DVS or MN DNR. — not the same agency that handles cars in Minnesota. Plan for separate filings.
Minnesota General Sale — Step-by-Step Checklist
Identify the item with make, model, serial number (if any), and condition
List buyer and seller full names and addresses
State the purchase price, payment method, and date
Include an as-is clause unless a separate written warranty is given
Both parties sign and keep originals
For boats with motors over 25 HP, ATVs, snowmobiles, and motor vehicles, use the proper MN DVS or DNR forms instead of relying solely on this bill of sale
Common Pitfalls
Using a general bill of sale for a titled motor vehicle — MN requires PS2032 and PS2000
Skipping serial numbers on items where they exist (firearms, electronics, equipment)
Forgetting that boats with motors over 25 HP must be titled with MN DNR
Assuming all private sales are sales-tax-free — businesses and certain items still owe tax
Leaving payment terms vague when partial payments or trades are involved
Pro Tip
Keep signed copies and any serial-number records. For titled vehicles, boats over 25 HP, ATVs, or snowmobiles, complete the MN DVS or MN DNR forms in addition to the bill of sale.
Minnesota General Bill of Sale — FAQs
Do I title a boat sale in Minnesota?
It depends on the motor. Minnesota titles boats through the MN DNR when the boat has a motor over 25 horsepower. Smaller-motor and non-motorized boats are registered but not titled. For a titled boat, the seller assigns the DNR-issued title and the buyer applies for transfer with the DNR. The hull identification number (HIN) must be recorded on the bill of sale. A general bill of sale alone is not sufficient for titled boats; the DNR title transfer is the controlling step.
What about ATVs and snowmobiles — same form?
No. ATVs, off-highway motorcycles, and snowmobiles are titled and registered through MN DNR, not MN DVS, with their own application forms and a 6.5% in-lieu sales tax. The bill of sale supports the DNR application by establishing price and condition, but the DNR forms are mandatory. A general bill of sale on its own will not satisfy DNR transfer requirements. For these vehicles, use this document alongside the DNR ATV/OHM/OHV registration and title application.
Is a casual sale of a used appliance taxable in Minnesota?
Generally no. Minnesota does not impose sales tax on casual private sales of used personal property between individuals — the kind of garage-sale, neighbor-to-neighbor transactions a general bill of sale is built for. Sales-tax obligations attach to business sellers, regular re-sellers, and specific categories like titled motor vehicles (MVST), ATVs, and certain titled boats. If you sell items frequently or at scale, the Minnesota Department of Revenue can treat you as a business and require sales-tax collection.
Does a Minnesota bill of sale need to be notarized?
No. Minnesota does not require notarization for a general bill of sale or for the standard MN DVS Form PS2032. Buyer and seller signatures are sufficient. Notarization can still be useful for high-value items, equipment financing, or transactions involving out-of-state buyers because it strengthens the evidentiary value of the document. For most private sales of tools, electronics, livestock, and used household goods, a clearly written, signed, and dated bill of sale held by both parties is enough.