Maryland Bill of Sale
Create a free Maryland bill of sale for a vehicle, boat, trailer, firearm, or any item. Maryland publishes an official Bill of Sale (Form VR-181), and a plain (un-notarized) bill of sale signed by buyer and seller is normally accepted as proof of purchase price; notarization is only REQUIRED in a narrow tax scenario - when the vehicle is less than 7 years old, the price is at least $500 below book value, and the buyer wants excise tax based on the lower sale price - so notarization is conditional, not generally required. Fill in the form, preview it live, and download a PDF.
Maryland requirements
Maryland publishes an official Bill of Sale (Form VR-181), and a plain (un-notarized) bill of sale signed by buyer and seller is normally accepted as proof of purchase price; notarization is only REQUIRED in a narrow tax scenario - when the vehicle is less than 7 years old, the price is at least $500 below book value, and the buyer wants excise tax based on the lower sale price - so notarization is conditional, not generally required.
Seller
Buyer
Vehicle Details
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⚠ Maryland publishes an official Bill of Sale (Form VR-181), and a plain (un-notarized) bill of sale signed by buyer and seller is normally accepted as proof of purchase price; notarization is only REQUIRED in a narrow tax scenario - when the vehicle is less than 7 years old, the price is at least $500 below book value, and the buyer wants excise tax based on the lower sale price - so notarization is conditional, not generally required.
Vehicle Bill of Sale (Maryland)
1. Parties
This Bill of Sale is made on ________________ between [SELLER NAME] ("Seller") and [BUYER NAME] ("Buyer"). The Seller sells and transfers to the Buyer all of the Seller's right, title, and interest in the vehicle described below.
2. Description of Vehicle
[Enter the vehicle details]
3. Purchase Price
For valuable consideration, the Buyer pays the Seller the total purchase price of $________, paid in full, receipt of which the Seller acknowledges.
4. Delivery
The Seller delivers possession of the vehicle to the Buyer on ________________, unless the parties agree otherwise in writing.
5. Federal Odometer Disclosure
Federal law (the Truth in Mileage Act, 49 CFR Part 580) generally requires the Seller to disclose the vehicle's mileage at the transfer of ownership, EXCEPT for vehicles 20 or more model years old, vehicles with a gross weight rating over 16,000 lbs, and non-self-propelled vehicles (such as trailers). If this disclosure is required for this vehicle, the Seller certifies that the odometer reads ____________ miles and, to the best of the Seller's knowledge, reflects the actual mileage — UNLESS one of the following is checked: ( ) the mileage stated is in excess of the odometer's mechanical limits; ( ) the odometer reading is NOT the actual mileage (WARNING — ODOMETER DISCREPANCY).
Buyer acknowledges receipt of this odometer disclosure: Signature: ______________________ Printed name: ______________________ Date: ____________
6. Condition and Warranties
The Buyer has had the opportunity to inspect the vehicle and accepts it in its current condition.
The vehicle is sold "AS-IS, WHERE-IS," with all faults. Except for the warranty of title below, the Seller makes no warranties, express or implied, including any warranty of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose.
Warranty of title: The Seller warrants that the Seller is the lawful owner of the item, that it is free of all liens and encumbrances, and that the Seller has the right to sell it.
7. Governing Law
This Bill of Sale is governed by the laws of the State of Maryland.
Signatures
By signing below, the Buyer and Seller acknowledge that they have read, understand, and agree to this Bill of Sale.
Signature: _______________________________________
Seller — Printed name: ______________________
Address: ______________________________________
Date: ________________
Signature: _______________________________________
Buyer — Printed name: ______________________
Address: ______________________________________
Date: ________________
Email yourself a copy (PDF)
This is a self-help template, not legal advice. Requirements vary by state and item — confirm your state's rules (notarization, DMV forms) before relying on it.
Maryland Bill of Sale Requirements
Maryland requires a bill of sale to title or register a vehicle. Notarization is recommended but not required for a Maryland vehicle bill of sale. Maryland publishes an official form (Maryland MVA Bill of Sale (Form VR-181)).
- Maryland's MVA publishes an official Bill of Sale, Form VR-181, used to document the actual price paid and signed by both buyer(s) and seller(s); it serves as the 'Proof of purchase price' document when titling a used vehicle bought from a non-dealer.
- Notarization is CONDITIONAL and not generally required. Per the MVA, the bill of sale 'must be notarized if the following conditions apply: the vehicle is less than 7 years old; AND the purchase price is at least $500 below the book value; AND the new owner wants to base the excise tax calculation on the sale price rather than the book value.' Otherwise an un-notarized bill of sale is accepted.
- Maryland's vehicle excise (titling) tax is 6.5% of the vehicle's value (raised from 6% effective July 1, 2025). For vehicles 7 years or older the tax is based on the greater of the purchase price or a $640 minimum book value; a notarized VR-181 is what lets a buyer of a newer vehicle pay tax on a documented lower price.
- Odometer mileage must be disclosed by the seller at transfer - recorded in the Assignment of Ownership section of the Maryland title or on the separate MVA Odometer Disclosure Statement (Form VR-197); the MVA states this follows federal regulations.
- For boats, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR), not the MVA, handles titling/registration and provides a Bill of Sale for a Vessel; vessels use a 12-character Hull Identification Number (HIN), vessel excise tax applies, and registration is generally due within 30 days of purchase.
Federal law (49 CFR 580) requires the seller to disclose the odometer reading at transfer of ownership for vehicles under 20 model years old (no disclosure required once a vehicle reaches 20 model years, and never for vehicles over 16,000 lbs GVWR). The Maryland MVA states that 'Federal regulations require that the vehicle's odometer mileage be stated by the seller when ownership of the vehicle is transferred'; the reading can be recorded and attested in the Assignment of Ownership section of the Maryland title or submitted on the MVA Odometer Disclosure Statement (Form VR-197). Source: Maryland MVA - Titling: Used Vehicle Purchased from a Non-Dealer; Maryland Excise Titling Tax; MVA Bill of Sale (Form VR-181) · official form.
Maryland Bill of Sale by Item
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a bill of sale need to be notarized in Maryland?
No — Maryland does not require a vehicle bill of sale to be notarized, though notarization is always available as extra proof.
Do I need a bill of sale to register a car in Maryland?
Yes, Maryland requires a bill of sale to title or register a vehicle.
Is there an official Maryland bill of sale form?
Yes — Maryland MVA Bill of Sale (Form VR-181). This generator produces a complete bill of sale you can use or attach.
Disclaimer
This Maryland bill of sale generator provides a self-help document for general informational purposes only and is not legal advice. RecordingLaw.com is not a law firm. Confirm your state's requirements before signing.