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New York bill of sale

New York does not require a notary for a bill of sale of ordinary goods. The form is a private record of the sale. For a vehicle, the New York DMV has a specific bill of sale form and a title transfer process that the buyer will need at the office.

This page explains the difference, the details the DMV looks for, and the sales tax point that applies when a vehicle is registered.

Written by Nora Whitfield, editorial lead. State rules checked by Samuel Okafor, rules editor, on October 20, 2026.

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Signing rule at a glance

No notaryNo witnessesRules cited

New York: A notary is not required. No witnesses are required. A bill of sale for ordinary goods needs no notary. A vehicle title transfer may have its own notarization rule, which is separate from this form.

New York: A notary is not required. No witnesses are required. A bill of sale for ordinary goods needs no notary. A vehicle title transfer may have its own notarization rule, which is separate from this form. Source: UCC Article 2, as adopted in New York.

Source: UCC Article 2, as adopted in New York (opens the official source in a new tab).

No notary for goods

New York's Uniform Commercial Code article 2 governs the sale of goods and does not require a bill of sale to be notarized or witnessed. A signed document with the parties, the item, the price and the date is enough for a private sale.

Citation: UCC Article 2, as adopted in New York (opens the official source in a new tab).

A notary is optional. For a valuable item or a sale between people who do not know each other, a notarized signature can help prove identity and date. It does not change the ownership rules for a vehicle or a boat.

  • Full legal names and addresses of both parties
  • A description of the item, with a serial number or VIN where there is one
  • The price and payment method
  • The date of sale and the date of handover
  • An as-is statement when no warranty is given

Vehicles and the DMV

New York vehicles are transferred with the certificate of title. The DMV also publishes a bill of sale form (MV-912) for vehicles that need one, such as an older vehicle without a title or a transfer where the title is not available. Use the DMV form when the office asks for it.

The buyer pays sales tax when registering the vehicle, and the DMV may use the price on the bill of sale or its own value. Show the real price. Keep a copy of the bill of sale and the title transfer with your records.

A vehicle bill of sale does not replace a title. If the seller does not have a title, ask the DMV what documents it will accept before you pay.

Sales tax and the price

New York charges sales tax on a vehicle when it is registered, and the rate depends on the county where the buyer registers it. The DMV calculates the tax from the price or a published value, whichever is higher in some cases. A low price can be reviewed.

For ordinary goods, a private sale of used household items is generally not taxed. A business sale may be. Keep the bill of sale with your sales records if you sell as a business.

After signing

Give the buyer the original and keep a copy. For a vehicle, complete the title and the DMV transfer, and keep the bill of sale with the registration paperwork. For a boat, follow the DMV or the state parks office instructions for the registration and title.

Write down any known defect before the buyer pays. An as-is clause is evidence of the deal, not a shield for a seller who lied about the condition.

Filled sample, New York

Bill of sale

STATE OF NEW YORK

This bill of sale is made on October 12, 2026 between Jordan M. Reyes, of 412 Oak Street, Austin, TX 78701 (the seller), and Priya N. Shah, of 88 Cedar Lane, Round Rock, TX 78664 (the buyer). The sale takes place in the State of New York, and New York law governs this document.

1. Sale of goods

The seller sells and the buyer buys the following property: 2019 Trek Marlin 6 bicycle, charcoal gray, 29 inch wheels, with front and rear lights.

The property is identified by serial number or other marking WTU1234567. The buyer has inspected the property or has had a chance to inspect it before signing.

2. Condition and as-is statement

The property is sold as is, where is, with all faults. The seller gives no warranty of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose, and no oral promise about the property changes this document. Condition notes, if any: Used. Scratches on the left crank arm and a small tear on the saddle. Sold with the lights, lock and floor pump..

3. Price and payment

The buyer pays the seller $650.00 (Six hundred fifty dollars), by cash, on the date of sale. The seller acknowledges receiving that amount in full.

4. Ownership

The seller states that the seller owns the property, has the right to sell it, and has not sold it to anyone else. The property is free of liens and claims, except any lien the buyer has agreed to in writing.

5. Delivery and risk

The buyer takes possession on October 12, 2026. From that date the buyer bears the risk of loss or damage. The buyer is responsible for moving the property.

6. Additional terms

The seller will deliver the bicycle to the buyer's address on the date of sale.

7. Entire agreement

This document is the complete agreement about the sale. Any change must be written and signed by both parties. If one part is unenforceable, the rest stays in effect. The laws of the State of New York govern this bill of sale.

Seller

Seller

Signature

Printed name: Jordan M. Reyes

Date

Buyer

Buyer

Signature

Printed name: Priya N. Shah

Date

Signing requirements: New York: A notary is not required. No witnesses are required. A bill of sale for ordinary goods needs no notary. A vehicle title transfer may have its own notarization rule, which is separate from this form.

Source: UCC Article 2, as adopted in New York.

Generated from a PaperDeed template. PaperDeed is not a law firm and this is not legal advice. Template review date: October 20, 2026.

Example answers. The builder replaces them and uses the New York signature block shown above.

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The parties

Use the names as they appear on a driver's license or tax return. A nickname can make the form harder to use later.

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Questions about the New York form

Does a New York bill of sale need to be notarized?

No. New York does not require a notary or witnesses for a bill of sale of goods. A notary is optional.

Does the New York DMV have its own bill of sale form?

Yes. Form MV-912 is the DMV bill of sale for vehicles that need one. Use the DMV form when the office asks for it, and keep this form for the as-is terms and the price record.

Who pays sales tax on a used car in New York?

The buyer pays sales tax when registering the vehicle, at the rate for the county where the buyer registers it. The DMV calculates the tax from the price or a published value.

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Not a law firm, not legal advice

PaperDeed is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice. We provide self-help templates and general information about signing rules. If you are unsure whether a document fits your situation, talk to a licensed attorney in your state.

Every rule above names its statute or state form, and links to the official text where the state publishes it online. This state guide was updated on October 20, 2026.