Pennsylvania Firearm Bill of Sale
A Pennsylvania firearm bill of sale is a legal paperwork that records the private sale of a firearm between a buyer and seller in the state of Pennsylvania. This paperwork is separate from ATF Form 4473, which is the federal form used by licensed dealers during a background check. A bill of sale records the details of the sale including the identities of both parties, a complete description of the firearm including make, model, serial number, and caliber, the sale price, and the date of transfer.
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Pennsylvania Firearm Requirements
Pennsylvania Firearm Bill of Sale Checklist
Print this or save it as a PDF and bring it with you when you complete the sale.
Bring these to the signing
- Photo ID for the buyer and for the seller
Pennsylvania rules for this sale
- Notarization is optional in Pennsylvania.
On the bill of sale itself
- Buyer and seller full legal names and addresses
- Date of sale
- Make, model, caliber or gauge, and serial number
- Sale price and payment method
- As-is language, if the item is sold as-is
- Signatures of both parties
Both parties should keep a signed copy. The buyer needs it for title transfer and registration; the seller keeps it as proof the firearm changed hands.
What to Include
A Pennsylvania firearm bill of sale necessitates specific information to be considered legally valid. Including all necessary details ensures the document will be accepted by Pennsylvania Department of Transportation and provides comprehensive protection for both the buyer and seller.
Your Pennsylvania firearm bill of sale form should contain the full legal name of the seller as it appears on official identification, the complete mailing address of the seller including street, city, state, and ZIP code, the full legal name of the buyer who will become the new owner, the complete mailing address of the buyer, the agreed-upon purchase price in US dollars, the date the sale takes place, the signature of the seller, the signature of the buyer.
Missing any of these required fields could result in the document being rejected during the title transfer process or failing to provide adequate legal protection. Pennsylvania Department of Transportation may request additional documentation if the bill of sale is incomplete or contains errors. Always double-check that every field is filled in accurately before both parties sign the Pennsylvania firearm bill of sale.
How to Complete
Completing a Pennsylvania firearm bill of sale involves several straightforward steps. Begin by gathering all necessary information about the firearm, including identification numbers, the agreed-upon sale price, and personal details for both the buyer and seller.
Fill in every section of the Pennsylvania firearm bill of sale form completely and accurately. Use the legal names that appear on government-issued identification for both parties. Verify all firearm details against official documentation such as the title or registration.
While notarization is not required in Pennsylvania for a firearm bill of sale, both parties may choose to have the document notarized for additional legal protection.
Both the buyer and seller should retain signed copies of the completed bill of sale for their personal records. After completing the bill of sale, contact Pennsylvania Department of Transportation for specific title transfer and registration procedures.
Pennsylvania-Specific Notes: Pennsylvania requires private sales of handguns and other short-barreled firearms to be completed at a licensed dealer or county sheriff's office with a background check. Ordinary rifles and shotguns are not covered, and transfers between spouses, parents and children, and grandparents and grandchildren are exempt. It remains illegal to sell a firearm to anyone you know or reasonably should know is prohibited from possessing firearms under federal or state law. A bill of sale provides a record of the transaction for both parties. Federal law (18 U.S.C. § 922) prohibits sales to convicted felons, persons under indictment, fugitives, unlawful drug users, adjudicated mental defectives, illegal aliens, persons dishonorably discharged, persons who have renounced citizenship, persons subject to certain domestic violence restraining orders, and persons convicted of domestic violence misdemeanors.
A bill of sale does not replace a legally required background check.
It is a federal crime to sell a firearm to a prohibited person (18 U.S.C. § 922(d)).
Private handgun sales must be completed at a licensed dealer or the county sheriff's office.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a firearm bill of sale need to be notarized in Pennsylvania?
No. Pennsylvania does not require notarization for a firearm bill of sale - it is valid once signed by both parties. For high-value transactions, notarizing it anyway is worthwhile: it deters forgery claims and makes the document self-authenticating as court evidence.
How much does it cost to get a firearm bill of sale in Pennsylvania?
Creating a firearm bill of sale with Your Bill of Sale costs $5. You fill in your details online and instantly download a completed, ready-to-sign PDF formatted to Pennsylvania requirements - not a blank template.
Is a bill of sale required for a private firearm sale in Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania does not require a bill of sale for all private firearm sales, but having a written record is strongly recommended. It documents the firearm's serial number, both parties' identities, and the date of transfer - protecting the seller if the firearm is later involved in a crime.
What information must be on a firearm bill of sale in Pennsylvania?
A Pennsylvania firearm bill of sale should include: full names and addresses of buyer and seller, firearm make, model, caliber/gauge, serial number, sale price, date of sale, and both parties' signatures. Keep a signed copy on file. Some counties in Pennsylvania may have additional requirements - check with Pennsylvania Department of Transportation for current local regulations.
Do both buyer and seller need a copy of the bill of sale in Pennsylvania?
Yes. Both parties should keep a signed copy. The buyer needs it for title transfer and registration at Pennsylvania Department of Transportation. The seller should keep theirs as proof of the ownership transfer - this protects them from liability if the buyer later gets tickets, is in an accident, or commits a crime involving the firearm.
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