Free New Mexico Gun / Firearm Bill of Sale

New Mexico moved to universal background checks in 2019 with SB 8: with very few exceptions, every private firearm sale must run through a Federal Firearms License (FFL) holder for a NICS check. A bill of sale by itself is no longer enough. The smart sequence is to draft the bill of sale, meet the buyer at an FFL, complete the NICS, then exchange money and the firearm in front of the dealer. Skipping the FFL is a misdemeanor and exposes both parties to liability.

New Mexico Requirements: Transfer title within 30 days. 4% sales tax.

Seller Information

Full Name *

Street Address *

City *

State *

ZIP Code *

Phone

Buyer Information

Full Name *

Street Address *

City *

State *

ZIP Code *

Phone

Gun / Firearm Details

Make *

Model *

Caliber/Gauge *

Serial Number *

Firearm Type *

Barrel Length

Condition *

Sale Information

Sale Price ($) *

Payment Method *

Date of Sale *

Condition & Warranty

Sold AS-IS (no warranty)

Warranty Details (if applicable)

Important: Federal and state laws may require a background check for firearm transfers. This bill of sale does not replace any legal requirements for background checks, waiting periods, or other regulations. Please consult your local laws before completing this transaction.

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Private firearm sales carry more legal requirements than most buyers realize — background check laws, waiting periods, and prohibited-person rules vary widely by state. Our guide explains when a bill of sale is legally required and what it must say. Read: Do I Need a Bill of Sale? →

New Mexico Gun / Firearm Bill of Sale — What You Need to Know

Primary Form

Standard bill of sale

Agency

NM DPS / FFL

New Mexico Department of Public Safety (firearms regulation); FBI NICS via licensed FFL

Primary ID Field

Serial Number

Sales Tax

Exempt

Title Required

Firearms are not titled in New Mexico. Since 2019, however, NM Senate Bill 8 requires nearly all private firearm sales to go through a Federal Firearms License (FFL) holder for a background check (NICS). The bill of sale documents the transaction; the FFL handles the legal transfer.

Inspection

Not required

Sales Tax Details

Private party firearm sales between individuals are not subject to NM gross receipts tax. FFL transfer fees ($25–$75 typical) are separate from any tax and are not refundable if the buyer fails the background check.

Inspection Requirements

Universal background check required under NM SB 8 (2019) for nearly all private sales. Narrow exceptions for transfers between immediate family, law enforcement, and certain antique firearms. Don't assume your transfer is exempt — verify with the FFL.

Registration

Registration for this vehicle type is handled by No firearm registry in New Mexico. NICS background check via FFL is required for nearly all private transfers. — not the same agency that handles cars in New Mexico. Plan for separate filings.

New Mexico Gun / Firearm Sale — Step-by-Step Checklist

Schedule the transfer at a willing FFL holder before exchanging money
Buyer completes ATF Form 4473 and passes the NICS background check
Draft a bill of sale capturing make, model, serial number, caliber, sale price, and both IDs
Pay the FFL transfer fee (separate from sale price; commonly $25–$75)
Both parties retain signed copies of the bill of sale and the FFL transfer record

Common Pitfalls

Believing 'private sale' means no background check — NM SB 8 ended that in 2019
Selling to a buyer who fails NICS and then transferring the gun anyway — felony exposure
Skipping the serial number on the bill of sale — makes recovery impossible if the gun is stolen later
Assuming family transfers are always exempt — confirm the relationship qualifies under SB 8 before skipping the FFL

Pro Tip

Since 2019, NM = universal background check. Schedule the FFL, document the serial number, and walk away with paperwork that survives any future trace request.

New Mexico Gun / Firearm Bill of Sale — FAQs

Can I sell a gun privately in New Mexico without a background check?

Almost never — and the exceptions are narrow. Since 2019, New Mexico SB 8 requires nearly all private firearm transfers to go through a licensed FFL for a NICS background check. Exceptions are limited to transfers between immediate family members (spouse, parent, child, sibling, grandparent, grandchild), law enforcement transfers, and certain antiques manufactured before 1899. Selling to a friend, coworker, or stranger without an FFL — even between two perfectly legal owners — is a misdemeanor in NM. Use the FFL; it's $25–$75 and removes all the legal risk.

Why include the serial number on a NM gun bill of sale?

The serial number is the firearm's permanent identifier and the only way to prove which specific gun was transferred. If the firearm is later used in a crime or recovered as stolen, NM DPS and ATF will trace it through the manufacturer to the last documented owner — without the serial on your bill of sale, that's you. Including the serial, both IDs, the date, and the FFL transfer record creates a clean chain of custody that protects you from being treated as the last owner of record.

What happens at the FFL during a private NM transfer?

You meet the buyer at the FFL with the firearm. The FFL takes possession briefly, the buyer fills out ATF Form 4473, the FFL runs the NICS check (usually instant, occasionally delayed up to 3 business days). If approved, the FFL logs the firearm out to the buyer and you finalize the bill of sale and payment. If the buyer is denied, the FFL returns the gun to you — the transfer cannot legally complete. Most FFLs charge a flat fee for this service; the seller and buyer agree which one pays it.

Other New Mexico Templates

🚘Vehicle Bill of Sale 🚗Car Bill of Sale 🚙Used Car Bill of Sale 🏍️Motorcycle Bill of Sale ⛵Boat Bill of Sale 🚛Trailer Bill of Sale 🐴Horse Bill of Sale 🏎️ATV Bill of Sale 🏕️RV Bill of Sale 📄General Bill of Sale 🖨️Free Printable Bill of Sale 📏Odometer Disclosure Bill of Sale ⚠️As-Is Bill of Sale 🎁Gift Bill of Sale

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