Bill of Sale Requirements in Mississippi

While not required for most vehicle transactions, Mississippi does require a bill of sale for certain circumstances. Keep reading to learn more about Mississippi requirements, and the benefits of completing a bill of sale even when one is not required.

Using a Bill of Sale in MS

Mississippi requires a bill of sale in certain circumstances, but does NOT provide a state-affiliated bill of sale. For vehicle sales, Mississippi requires you to perform a title transfer to the new buyer, which must be accompanied by a bill of sale IF there is no room to list the sale price on the title.

As a matter of good business, you may also want a bill of sale to commemorate your vehicle purchase or sale for tax purposes, as a receipt for your files (which could be helpful if you move to a state requiring a bill of sale), or as protection against legal issues down the line.

Mississippi car dealers customarily provide an invoice, rather than a bill of sale, when you purchase a vehicle. If your dealer stamps "This is a Bill of Sale" on the invoice and signs it, you can use it as a bill of sale to register your vehicle.

If you buy a vehicle from an individual, take along a generic bill of sale and fill in the pertinent information when you buy the car. In some cases, this bill of sale will need to be notarized, especially when vehicles have had multiple owners.

Bill of Sale Requirements

A bill of sale can be used to register, title, and tag your car, so regardless of where or how you buy it, be sure to keep this important document. Your bill of sale should include the following:

  • Date of sale.
  • Make, model, and year of vehicle.
  • Complete description of the vehicle (color, body style).
  • Vehicle Identification Number (VIN).
  • Odometer reading.
  • Buyer's full name and address.
  • Seller's full name and address.
  • Purchase price of the vehicle.
  • Signatures of buyer(s) and seller(s).

Generic Bill of Sale

Mississippi does not provide a state-approved bill of sale; however, you can complete a bill of sale form and submit it with your paperwork (if necessary).

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