Important Terms for a Bill of Sale
- Property location: This section lists the property’s current location.
- Seller: This section includes the seller or sellers’ contact information, including full name and address.
- Buyer: This section includes the buyer or buyers’ contact information, including full name and address.
- Property: The property section lists a description of the property and special conditions that apply. For vehicle sales, information like vehicle identification number (VIN), odometer reading, and other vehicle information is listed here.
- Witness information: This section includes witness information, if any.
- As-is: When a buyer purchases an item “as-is,” they agree to buy the property in its current state.
- Gift: When the property being sold is a gift to the buyer, there can be tax implications in the following year.
- Certification/Signature: The buyer and seller must officially sign the bill of sale to create a binding sales contract. The parties can sign in person or digitally through a certified digital signature provider. PandaDoc documents allow users to gather legal digital signatures.
1. Alaska Bill of Sale Requirements
In the state of Alaska, the Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) is responsible for registering and titling vehicles. A bill of sale is required to register a motor vehicle. If you’re buying the vehicle from a private party, you’ll also need an odometer disclosure statement and previous registration proof.
You can locate a blank vehicle bill of sale form on the Alaska DMV website.
Why use one?
When you use a bill of sale to document a private sale between you and another person, you’ll have legal proof that you both agreed to the sale.
The bill of sale document should hold up in court as evidence should you find yourself involved in a lawsuit — as long as it was filled out correctly by both parties and all the related regulations laid out by the state were followed.
Additional considerations
Language requirements
The Alaska DMV does not provide bills of sale or any other forms in any language other than English. The state does not provide translators — if you aren’t fluent in English, you may need to find your own interpreter.
The buyer and seller can agree to a bill of sale in any other language as long as each party understands their copy of the document. However, when a copy is required to be filed by the state, it must be in English.
Number of copies
When bills of sale are required for a transaction, a copy must be provided to the Alaska DMV. Otherwise, you can create copies for each party to keep with their personal records.
Junk vehicles
Bills of sale can include a salvage or junked vehicle, provided the seller lists the vehicle as salvage or junk on the form.
After purchasing a vehicle
To register a vehicle in Alaska, you’ll need to produce paperwork in addition to the bill of sale.
If you’re the seller
- You must provide a bill of sale.
- You must provide a properly signed title to the buyer. If you do not have the title, you’ll need to obtain a duplicate title from the DMV.
- For vehicles under ten years old, you are required to record the mileage.
You’ll need to complete a Notice of Vehicle Sale for Transfer.
If you’re the buyer
- You must title and register your new vehicle within 30 days of purchase.
- You’ll need to bring the Odometer Disclosure Statement form for vehicles less than ten years old.
- If you don’t have a title or a Manufacturer’s Certificate of Origin (MCO), you may need to have a vehicle inspector complete Verification of Vehicle (Form 811)
2. Alaska Car (Vehicle) Bill of Sale
In the state of Alaska, you’ll need to include basic identifying information on a bill of sale for a motor vehicle: name, address, and driver’s license numbers for both the buyer and seller. You will need to include the following information about the vehicle:
- Make
- Model
- Year
- VIN
- Color
- Odometer reading
You’ll also need to indicate whether the seller is including the title in the sale.
A motor vehicle bill of sale in Alaska must include specific information about the purchase price or trade. It should list how much was paid for the vehicle, when it was purchased, the date the bill of sale was entered into, and the final due date for the balance if the buyer isn’t paying for the vehicle on the sale day.
The bill of sale should also include any other terms and conditions that apply to the sale.
3. Alaska Boat Bill of Sale
A bill of sale for a boat in Alaska must include identifying information: name, physical address, and the driver’s license or state ID number for both buyer and seller. You will also need to provide information about the boat:
- Make
- Year
- Length
- Hull ID
- Registration
- Odometer in hours
- Title number
You’ll also need to specify whether a trailer comes with the sale. If so, you should include the make and year of the trailer.
You must also indicate whether an outboard motor is part of the sale. If so, you must include the year, make, and horsepower of the motor.
4. Alaska Firearm Bill of Sale
A firearm bill of sale in Alaska must include identifying information of the buyer and seller: names, physical addresses, and driver’s license or state ID numbers.
You will also need to supply information about the firearm:
- Caliber
- Make
- Model
- Serial number
- Any defects present
A firearm bill of sale must include the purchase price, listed in words and then in dollars. For example, “Three hundred and twenty-five dollars and no cents; $325.00.”
You will also need to list the type of payment (cash, check, or money order). If the seller does not collect the entire sale amount at the time of the firearm bill of sale, the document should list the due date and any down payment that the buyer makes. In these cases, the seller should include a promissory note.
The buyer and seller must sign a firearm bill of sale in Alaska, and the document must be witnessed and notarized.
5. Alaska Horse or Livestock Bill of Sale
The state of Alaska does not require a bill of sale to complete a horse or livestock sale. However, you may want to complete your own horse or livestock bill of sale and create copies for the buyer and seller.
6. Alaska Aircraft Bill of Sale
You will need a bill of sale to transfer ownership of an aircraft in Alaska.
Personal aircraft are considered tangible personal property without a title. New owners must register their aircraft with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and provide a bill of sale and a certified copy of the Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration to the FAA.
If the aircraft is located in Anchorage, the Personal Representative must notify the Municipality of Anchorage of the ownership change.
7. Alaska General Bill of Sale
A general bill of sale in Alaska documents the sale of miscellaneous personal property. For example, a general bill of sale in Alaska could serve as documentation of the sale of livestock, construction equipment, or clothing.
On a general bill of sale, you’ll need to include identifying information for the buyer and seller: full names, addresses, and driver’s license or state ID numbers.
You’ll need to provide an adequate description of the property you are selling. Examples of the type of information that you could list on the bill of sale include:
- Serial or model number
- Color
- Size
- Physical description
- Condition of the property
- Whether the property is a gift with no cost attached
You’ll also need to list the sales price or a description of an agreed-upon trade, the purchase price, the date the bill of sale was created, and the payment’s due date if the buyer will pay the seller for the property later.
An Alaska general bill of sale should also list any other terms or conditions related to the sale.
8. Alaska ATV or Snowmachine Bill of Sale
An ATV or snowmachine bill of sale in Alaska must include identifying information about the seller and buyer: full names, addresses, and driver’s license or state ID number. You’ll also need to include the following information about the ATV or snowmachine:
- Decal number
- VIN or serial number
- Year
- Make
- Body style (for snowmachines)
- Color
- Date of sale
Buyers or dealers must register ATVs and snowmachines within 15 days of purchase.
An Alaska bill of sale is required to register the equipment with the State of Alaska. You’ll also need a copy of the warranty care or dealer’s purchase order, a title and registration application, and the required fees.
