Free Gun / Firearm Bill of Sale Template & Generator

Firearm bill of sale with serial number, caliber, and type. Includes legal disclaimers about background checks.

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 *

County of Sale (if known)

Applicable Taxes Paid By

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.

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 We check these requirements against official state sources, but details can go out of date.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 If you notice anything wrong or outdated, email support@billofsale.app.

About the Gun / Firearm Bill of Sale

A firearm bill of sale documents private gun sales and must include the weapon's serial number, caliber, make, and model. Federal law generally allows private firearm sales between residents of the same state without a dealer transfer, but some states require private sales to go through a licensed dealer (FFL) or a background check. Our form records the details either way.

When to Use This Form

Use a firearm bill of sale for private sales of handguns, rifles, shotguns, and other legal firearms. Always verify your state's private transfer laws before completing the sale — many states now require FFL dealer involvement even in private transactions.

Legal Tip

Several states require a private firearm sale to go through a licensed dealer (FFL) or a state background check, and these laws change often. Do not complete a private transfer without checking your state's current law.

Fields Included in This Form

Make (required)
Model (required)
Caliber/Gauge (required)
Serial Number (required)
Firearm Type (required)
Barrel Length (optional)
Condition (required)

Federal rules for a private sale

Federal law (18 U.S.C. 922) sets three limits that apply to every private seller, whatever state you are in:

Same state only. A private seller may not sell or give a gun to a private buyer who they know, or have reason to believe, lives in another state. Two exceptions: a gun passed on by will or inheritance, and a short loan or rental for lawful sport.
No barred buyers. You may not sell to anyone you know, or have reason to believe, is barred from having a gun. That includes a person convicted of a crime punishable by more than a year in prison, a fugitive, an unlawful drug user, and a person under certain domestic violence orders.
No handguns to minors. You may not sell a handgun, or ammunition made only for handguns, to someone you know or have reason to believe is under 18. The exceptions are narrow.

States can add more

Many states add their own rules for private sales. Some send the sale through a licensed dealer (FFL) or a state background check; others add waiting periods or permits. These laws change often, so check your state's current law, or ask a licensed dealer, before you sell.

What to write on a firearm bill of sale

The make, model, type (handgun, rifle or shotgun), caliber or gauge, and the serial number exactly as stamped on the gun.
The date, the price, and both people's full names and addresses.
A driver license or state ID number for each person. It records that the buyer lives in your state.
Many sellers add a line where the buyer confirms they are not barred from owning a gun. It does not replace any check your state requires.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a gun bill of sale required by law?

Federal law sets no bill of sale requirement for a private sale between two people who live in the same state. It is still a useful record, and some states have their own paperwork rules for private sales, so check your state's law.

Which states require background checks for private gun sales?

Several states require a private sale to go through a licensed dealer or a state background check, and the list changes as states pass new laws, so we do not publish one here. Check your state police or attorney general's website, or ask a licensed dealer, before you sell.

Should I keep a copy of a gun bill of sale?

Yes. Both buyer and seller should keep signed copies indefinitely. If the firearm is later used in a crime, the bill of sale documents when and to whom you transferred the weapon, which can be critical evidence.

Sources we checked

18 U.S.C. 922, unlawful acts (GovInfo, 2023 edition) (read 2026-09-26)