Skip to content
PaperDeed
TXState guide

Texas bill of sale

A Texas bill of sale records a private sale of goods, a vehicle or equipment. For ordinary goods, Texas does not require a notary or a special form. For a vehicle, the bill of sale supports a title transfer that has its own rules at the tax office.

This page explains what a Texas bill of sale should contain, when a notary helps, and how the vehicle title process differs from the bill of sale itself.

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

Build the Texas formAbout this document

Signing rule at a glance

No notaryNo witnessesRules cited

Texas: 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.

Texas: 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 Texas.

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

No notary for ordinary goods

Texas Business and Commerce Code chapter 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 most private sales.

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

A notary can still be useful. If the buyer plans to use the document with an insurer, a lender or a tax office, a notarized signature makes the date and identity harder to dispute. It is a choice, not a legal requirement for goods.

  • Seller and buyer full names and addresses
  • A specific description of the item, including any serial number
  • The price and how it was paid
  • The date of sale and the date of handover
  • A statement that the item is sold as is, if that is the deal

Vehicles are different

A vehicle title transfer in Texas is not handled by a bill of sale alone. The seller assigns the certificate of title, the buyer applies for a new title at the county tax office, and the title form has its own signature and notarization instructions. A separate bill of sale is useful for the price, the odometer and the as-is terms.

Texas requires the seller to report the sale to the state within 30 days in many cases, using the motor vehicle transfer notification. That report protects the seller from tickets and tolls after the sale. Keep the buyer's name and address for it.

Do not hand over the vehicle before the payment clears. A cashier's check can be forged, and a personal check can be stopped.

Sales tax and the price

Texas charges motor vehicle sales tax when a vehicle is titled, and the tax office may use the price on the title or a standard presumptive value. A very low price can trigger a review. The bill of sale should show the real price, not a number chosen to reduce tax.

For ordinary goods, Texas sales tax may apply if the seller is a business. A private sale of used household goods is usually not taxed. If you are selling as a business, keep the bill of sale with your sales records.

What to do after signing

Give the buyer the original and keep a copy. For a vehicle, complete the title assignment and the transfer notification. For equipment or tools, record the serial number and keep the payment receipt with your copy.

If the buyer later claims the item was not as described, the as-is statement and the condition notes are the first things a court will read. Write down what you know at the time of sale.

Filled sample, Texas

Bill of sale

STATE OF TEXAS

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 Texas, and Texas 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 Texas 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: Texas: 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 Texas.

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 Texas signature block shown above.

Build the bill of sale

The preview updates as you type. Your work is saved automatically.

This changes the signing block and the rule citations.

Step 1 of 3

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.

Download this bill of sale

PDF for printing and signing. DOCX so you can edit it in Word or Google Docs. This form is included for every state.

Start for free. Preview everything before you download.

Start for free, then download when you are ready.

Questions about the Texas form

Does a Texas bill of sale need to be notarized?

For ordinary goods, no. For a vehicle, follow the notarization instructions on the Texas title. The bill of sale itself is separate from the title assignment.

Does Texas require a bill of sale for a car?

The title transfer is the main document. A bill of sale is useful for the price and the as-is terms, and some county tax offices ask for one when the price is unusual. Use the vehicle form on this site for a car.

How long does a buyer have to title a car in Texas?

The buyer generally has 30 days from the sale to apply for a new title. Late application can add penalties. The county tax office can confirm the current rule.

Other states for this document

Florida bill of saleCalifornia bill of saleNew York bill of saleBuild any state

Related documents

Money

Vehicle bill of sale (as is)

Make a car bill of sale as is with the VIN, odometer, lien and price. State signing rules cited. Start for free and preview the finished document.

Money

Promissory note

Write a promissory note with the amount, interest, payment schedule, late fee and collateral. Start for free and preview the finished document.

Business

Non-disclosure agreement

Make a mutual NDA for a project or vendor conversation. Define confidential information, exclusions, term and remedies. Preview, then get PDF and DOCX.

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.