Important Terms for a Bill of Sale
- Property location: This section describes where the property is currently located.
- Seller: This section lists contact details for the person selling or transferring the property, including full name and address.
- Buyer: This section lists contact details for the person receiving the property, including full name and address.
- Property: This section describes the property and any special conditions that may apply. For vehicle sales, information like VIN, odometer reading, make, and model is listed here.
- Witness information: This section includes information about witnesses to the sale, if there are any.
- As-is: When a buyer purchases property “as-is,” they are agreeing to buy the property in its current state.
- Gift: When the property is a gift to the buyer, there may be tax implications.
- Certification/Signature: Both the buyer and seller must sign the bill of sale to create a binding sales agreement. The parties can sign in person or digitally through a certified digital signature provider. PandaDoc allows users to gather legal digital signatures.
1. Delaware Bill of Sale Requirements
In the state of Delaware, the Department of Transportation Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) is responsible for registering and titling vehicles.
A bill of sale is not required for most vehicle sales. However, if you don’t have the title, you will need to produce a bill of sale in order to get the vehicle inspected, which is a requirement for titling a vehicle in Delaware. You can find a blank vehicle bill of sale document on the Delaware DMV website.
Why Use a Bill of Sale?
A bill of sale protects both the buyer and seller. The document can provide legal proof that both sides agreed to the sale, as long as it is filled out correctly and signed by both parties.
Beyond keeping a bill of sale on file as a purchase receipt, you can use a bill of sale to add legitimacy to the transaction. It also serves as a record of contact information for both parties, which reduces the risk of fraud.
Additional Considerations
Language Requirements
The Delaware DMV only provides bills of sale in English. The state does not provide translators — if you aren’t fluent in English, you may need to source an interpreter who can help.
However, the buyer and seller can agree to a bill of sale in another 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 drafted in English.
Number of Copies
When you are required to provide a bill of sale for a transaction, a copy must be provided to the Delaware DMV. It’s also a good idea to create copies for each party to keep with their personal records.
Junk Vehicles
Bills of sale in Delaware can include a titled vehicle that has been designated as a junked vehicle, provided the seller lists the vehicle as salvage or junk on the document.
After Purchasing a Vehicle
If You’re the Seller
- 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 Delaware DMV.
- You’ll need to complete the Seller’s Report of Sale at the bottom of the Delaware title.
If You’re the Buyer
- You’ll need the title and the bill of sale.
- You need to fill in the Purchaser’s Application on the back of the title.
- You have 30 days to register a vehicle with a Delaware DMV location after purchasing the vehicle or moving to the state of Delaware.
- You’ll need to pass an inspection and emissions test and bring the related documentation with you.
- You’ll need to hold auto insurance purchased from a licensed Delaware insurance agent.
2. Delaware Car (Vehicle) Bill of Sale
In Delaware, you need to include basic identifying information on a bill of sale for a motor vehicle, including name, address, and driver’s license numbers for both the buyer and seller. You will include the following information about the vehicle:
- Make
- Model
- Year
- VIN
- Color
- Odometer reading
A motor vehicle bill of sale in Delaware must include specifics about the transaction. It should list the purchase price of the vehicle, the date of purchase, 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. Delaware Boat Bill of Sale
To register a boat in Delaware, you’ll need to complete a boat registration application and the Manufacturer’s Certificate of Origin (MCO) for new boats. You’ll also need a bill of sale.
A bill of sale for a boat in Delaware must include identifying information including the 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
- Hull ID number
- Registration number
- Title number
- Motor model
- Year of motor
- Odometer reading in hours
- Description of trailer (if applicable), including make, model, year, and serial number
4. Delaware Firearm Bill of Sale
Delaware does not require firearm registration. In fact, any firearm registration system is expressly prohibited, except for registries of people prohibited from owning a firearm.
A firearm bill of sale in Delaware must include identifying information of the buyer and seller, including names, physical addresses, and driver’s license or state ID numbers. You will also need to supply information about the firearm, such as:
- Caliber
- Make
- Model
- Serial number
- Trade or purchase price
To be valid, a Delaware firearm bill of sale must be witnessed and notarized.
5. Delaware Horse or Livestock Bill of Sale
The state of Delaware Department of Agriculture provides a blank horse bill of sale on its website. Horse sales (but not livestock sales) require a bill of sale to be valid in Delaware.
To complete a horse bill of sale, you’ll need to supply information about the sale, including the date and purchase price and information about the horse, including the horse’s name and tattoo number.
Horse bills of sale must be notarized.
6. Delaware Aircraft Bill of Sale
Delaware does not offer an official statewide aircraft bill of sale document. All aircraft sales in the U.S. must comply with Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations, and the FAA aircraft bill of sale can be found on the FAA website.
7. Delaware General Bill of Sale
A general bill of sale in Delaware can be used to document the sale of any kind of high-value personal property.
On a general bill of sale, you’ll need to include personal identifying information for the buyer and seller, including full names, addresses, and driver’s license or state ID numbers. You’ll need to describe the property and any defects that are present. 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 purchase price or a description of an agreed-upon trade, the date the bill of sale was created, and the due date for the balance if the buyer will pay the seller for the property later.
A Delaware bill of sale should also list any other terms or conditions related to the sale.
