Maryland Bill of Sale

Vehicle, boat, trailer or general bill of sale with odometer statement, as-is clause and your state's notary and DMV requirements.

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Maryland rules that this document follows

Notarization (vehicle)RequiredSource: Md. Code, Transp. § 13-809(b); COMAR 11.15.01: VR-181 must be notarized when the vehicle is less than 7 years old and the sale price is $500 or more below the MVA book value and the buyer wants excise tax assessed on the actual price
Official DMV formVR-181 (Bill of Sale, Maryland MVA)
Odometer disclosureRequired for vehicles under 20 model years oldSource: 49 U.S.C. § 32705; 49 C.F.R. Part 580 (odometer statement required for vehicles less than 20 model years old)
General propertyNo notarization; no witnesses requiredSource: No statutory notarization or witness requirement for a general bill of sale of personal property (UCC Article 2 governs sales of goods)
BoatBill of sale required for Maryland DNR vessel title/registrationSource: Md. Code, Nat. Res. § 8-715
Sales taxBuyer pays 6% excise tax at MVA on the greater of purchase price or MVA book value (vehicles under 7 years old) unless a notarized VR-181 supports a lower price; minimum tax applies to older vehicles.

Rules current as of 2026-09-07. Statutes change; verify before relying on them.

How to use this Bill of Sale in Maryland

Fill in the VIN exactly as it appears on the title, record the odometer without tenths, and have both parties sign two originals — one each. If Maryland requires notarization, sign in front of the notary, not before.

Sellers: remove your plates if your state requires it and file a release of liability with the DMV. Buyers: apply for title and registration promptly and insure the vehicle before driving it.

Frequently asked questions

Does a bill of sale need to be notarized in Maryland?

Yes, for a vehicle bill of sale (Md. Code, Transp. § 13-809(b); COMAR 11.15.01: VR-181 must be notarized when the vehicle is less than 7 years old and the sale price is $500 or more below the MVA book value and the buyer wants excise tax assessed on the actual price). This template adds the notary block automatically.

Is a bill of sale enough to transfer a car?

No — ownership passes with the assigned certificate of title. The bill of sale documents the price, date, odometer and as-is terms, and Maryland uses VR-181 (Bill of Sale, Maryland MVA). The buyer must apply for a new title.

What does 'as is' mean?

The buyer accepts the property in its current condition with no implied warranties. Sellers should still disclose known defects; fraud is never protected by an as-is clause.

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FormsByState provides self-help document templates and general information, not legal advice. We are not a law firm. For advice about your situation consult a licensed attorney in your state.