Free General Bill of Sale Template & Generator
General purpose bill of sale for any personal property transaction.
Free PDF includes a light diagonal watermark. Go Pro to remove it. Already subscribed? Sign in.
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 We check these requirements against official state sources, but details can go out of date.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 If you notice anything wrong or outdated, email support@billofsale.app.
Watch: how to fill it out (34 seconds)
The full flow — every field, the signatures, and the download — in one short take.
About the General Bill of Sale
A general bill of sale is a flexible transaction document for the sale of personal property that does not fit into a vehicle-specific category. It is used for furniture, electronics, tools, farm equipment, musical instruments, sporting goods, and countless other personal property transactions. Unlike vehicle bills of sale, general bills of sale are not used for DMV title transfer — they serve as a private receipt and proof of ownership change.
When to Use This Form
Use the general bill of sale for any personal property sale not covered by a specialized form. Common uses include: power tools, farm equipment, musical instruments, electronics, antiques, jewelry, livestock (non-equine), and commercial equipment.
Legal Tip
Fields Included in This Form
- Item Description (required)
- Serial/ID Number (if applicable) (optional)
- Condition (required)
Why put the sale in writing
Most states' sale-of-goods law follows Article 2 of the Uniform Commercial Code. Its rule on written contracts (UCC 2-201) says a contract to sell goods for $500 or more generally cannot be enforced unless there is a writing that shows a sale was agreed, signed by the person it is being enforced against.
A signed bill of sale is that writing. It names the item, the price and both people, and each of you keeps a copy.
Selling "as is"
Under UCC 2-316, words like "as is" or "with all faults" generally exclude the implied warranties that would otherwise come with a sale, as long as the circumstances do not point the other way. If you mean to sell with no promises about condition, say so on the bill of sale; if you do promise something, such as "runs" or "no cracks", write that down too.
What to describe
- The item: brand, model, serial number, size or color, and its condition, plus any accessories included.
- The price, how it was paid, and the date.
- Both people's names and addresses, and both signatures.
- Whether the sale is as-is, or any promise the seller is making.
When a general bill of sale is not enough
- Cars, motorcycles, trailers and other titled vehicles follow state title rules; South Dakota, for example, calls for its own bill of sale, Form 1025.
- Boats often need more detail. New Hampshire's rules list over a dozen facts a boat's bill of sale must show, from the hull ID number to the engine horsepower.
- Firearms carry federal limits on who you may sell to, and many states add their own rules.
Frequently Asked Questions
When do I need a bill of sale for personal property?
Is a general bill of sale legally binding?
Do I need a witness to sign a general bill of sale?
Sources we checked
- UCC 2-201, formal requirements; statute of frauds (Cornell LII) (read 2026-09-26)
- UCC 2-316, exclusion or modification of warranties (Cornell LII) (read 2026-09-26)
- Bill of Sale, Form 1025, South Dakota Department of Revenue (read 2026-09-26)
- Bill of sale, New Hampshire DMV (read 2026-09-26 (archived copy of 2025-05-27))