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Maryland Bill of Sale (2026)

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

Updated September 2026≈ 6 minReviewed against Md. Code, Transp. § 13-809 · 49 C.F.R. § 580.5, § 580.17 · Md. Code, Nat. Res. § 8-715
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Sample first page of the Bill of Sale: title block and opening sections with blanks to fillView larger
What you'll get

Sample first page of the Bill of Sale. Your answers fill in the blanks; the clauses required in Maryland are added automatically.

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Sample first page of the Bill of Sale: title block and opening sections with blanks to fill

Sample first page of the Bill of Sale. Your answers fill in the blanks; the clauses required in Maryland are added automatically.

This preview updates as you type. Blank fields show as ____ .

What this document covers

  • Vehicle, boat, trailer or general property description
  • VIN or HIN, plate and title number
  • Seller and buyer details
  • Price, deposit and balance or gift/trade
  • Federal odometer disclosure statement
  • As-is clause or limited warranty
  • Known defects disclosed
  • Lien status and warranty of title
  • Title transfer deadline and taxes
  • Notary and witness blocks where your state requires them

Maryland rules that this document follows

Notarization (vehicle bill of sale)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
Title paperwork notarizationVR-181 bill of sale must be notarized when the sale price is below book value for a vehicle 7 model years old or newer; the title assignment itself is not notarized.
Official DMV formVR-181 (Bill of Sale, Maryland MVA)
Odometer disclosureRequired unless the vehicle is model year 2010 or older and at least 10 years old, or model year 2011 or newer and at least 20 years old. The disclosure on the title (or state reassignment form) is the legally operative one; this bill of sale repeats it.Source: 49 C.F.R. § 580.5, § 580.17
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 2026-10-27. 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 in whole miles, and have both parties sign two originals — one each. If Maryland requires notarization, sign in front of the notary, not before. VR-181 bill of sale must be notarized when the sale price is below book value for a vehicle 7 model years old or newer; the title assignment itself is not notarized.

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. Buyer 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.

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). This template adds the notary block automatically. VR-181 bill of sale must be notarized when the sale price is below book value for a vehicle 7 model years old or newer; the title assignment itself is not notarized.

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.

When is an odometer statement required?

Federal law requires it unless the vehicle is model year 2010 or older and at least 10 years old, or model year 2011 or newer and at least 20 years old (49 C.F.R. § 580.17). The legally operative disclosure is the one on the title or state reassignment form; the statement in this bill of sale, signed by both parties, supplements it.

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.

Other names

  • vehicle bill of sale
  • car bill of sale
  • boat bill of sale
  • trailer bill of sale
  • as is bill of sale
  • proof of purchase
  • sales receipt for a car
  • motorcycle bill of sale

Related documents

Other states

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.