Bill of Sale Requirements in Maine

If you want to register a motor vehicle in Maine, you need a bill of sale. The bill of sale will be required to prove ownership in the absence of a title, as well as to compute sales tax―which must be paid before a registration can be issued. Bills of sale are also a great way to record the important information of any vehicle transaction, from documenting the final purchase price to providing contact information for both the buyer and seller.

Vehicles Bought from a ME Dealer

If you purchase your vehicle new or used from a Maine dealer, the dealer is required to give you an official bill of sale. This bill of sale will include the purchase price of the vehicle, which will be used to compute the sales tax. (The sales tax will usually be around 5.5% of the price shown on the bill of sale.)

You must have the dealer's bill of sale with you when you visit your municipal office or BMV office to register the vehicle.

Private Sales in Maine

If you purchase your vehicle from a private party, you and the seller must create your own bill of sale. The bill of sale must contain the following:

  • Date of sale.
  • Description of vehicle (year, make, and model).
  • Vehicle identification number (VIN).
  • Name of buyer.
  • Amount of sale.
  • Name, address, and signature of seller(s).

Title Transfer

Completing a bill of sale is not the only step you'll need to take when making a private sales transaction. Be sure to complete a proper transfer on the actual title of the vehicle. Learn more by visiting our Title Transfer in Maine page.

Generic Bill of Sale

To assist you in finding a bill of sale form in your transaction, we provide easy-to-use, printable, bill of sale forms.

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