State Guides
33 articles in this category
Does Oregon Require a Bill of Sale to Sell a Car?
Oregon does not force every private car seller to fill out a bill of sale, but the answer has an important catch. What the Oregon DMV actually needs depends on whether your name is on the title, and there is a separate notice you should file to release your liability. Here is what the state requires and what it only recommends.
How to Sell a Car Privately in Florida (Step by Step)
Florida makes private car sales simple on paper, and that simplicity is exactly what trips sellers up. The title carries most of the transfer, so people assume signing it is the whole job, then find out months later that one skipped step left them exposed.
How to Create a Bill of Sale in Georgia
Creating a bill of sale in Georgia is straightforward once you know what needs to be on it and where to use it. The state doesn't require one by law for most private sales, but the Georgia Department of Revenue and county tag offices use the documented sale price to calculate the Title Ad Valorem Tax, which makes a properly completed bill of sale one of the most financially important documents in any Georgia vehicle transaction. Here's how to create one correctly...
What Do I Need to Sell a Car Privately in California?
California has more specific requirements for private vehicle sales than almost any other state. Most sellers know they need to sign the title. Beyond that, a lot of the process is either unknown or misunderstood, and the consequences of getting it wrong range from a frustrated buyer at the DMV to ongoing liability for a car you no longer own. Here's exactly what you need, in the order you need it...
How to Sell a Boat in Kansas (Step by Step)
Kansas does not title boats, so the bill of sale is your buyer's proof of ownership, and you have 15 days to notify the state. Here is the full step-by-step process for a clean private boat sale.
How to Sell a Boat in Alabama (Step by Step)
Alabama did not title boats for decades, but a 2024 rule brings newer vessels into the titling system. Whether you sign over a title or just transfer registration depends on the build year. Here is the full process.
How to Sell a Boat in Iowa (Step by Step)
Iowa titles boats over 16 feet and runs sales through the county recorder. Without the registration, title, and bill of sale, the buyer is forced into a bonding process. Here is how to sell cleanly.
How to Sell a Boat in Missouri (Step by Step)
Missouri titles both the boat and the outboard motor separately, and the buyer has 60 days to title at a license office. Here is the full step-by-step process for a clean private boat sale.
Does a Bill of Sale Need to Be Notarized in Michigan?
If you're completing a private vehicle sale in Michigan and someone tells you the bill of sale needs to be notarized, they're wrong. Michigan does not require notarization for a vehicle bill of sale. The Michigan Secretary of State will process a title transfer without a notary stamp. That said, there's one important exception to know about, and understanding the difference between what's required and what's smart to do anyway matters before you show up to close a deal...
How a Vehicle Power of Attorney Works in Alabama
Most Alabama vehicle sales go smoothly when the title owner is present and able to sign. When they're not, that's where transactions stall. A vehicle power of attorney is the document that keeps the sale moving when the person whose name is on the title can't be there in person. Here's how it works in Alabama, when you need one, and what happens if you try to close without it...
Do You Need a Bill of Sale to Sell a Gun in Texas?
Texas has some of the most permissive private firearm sale laws in the country. No background check required between private parties, no...
Does a Bill of Sale Need to Be Notarized in Arizona?
If you're buying or selling a vehicle, motorcycle, boat, or any other titled asset privately in Arizona, you need a notarized bill of sale. Not because it's good practice. Because Arizona requires it. Showing up to a private sale without knowing this means either scrambling to find a notary at the last minute or completing a document that doesn't fully protect you or satisfy Arizona's requirements...