If you want to register a motor vehicle in the State of Maine you’ll need a Bill of Sale. This serves as a legal contract from the seller to the buyer documenting the transaction. The Bill of Sale will be required to prove ownership in the absence of a title, as well as to compute sales tax, 5.5% tax on the purchase price of the vehicle, which must be paid before a registration can be issued.
The following information should appear on the Maine Bill of Sale Form:
- Name and address of the seller.
- Name and address of the buyer.
- Vehicle description, including Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), make, model, year.
- Vehicle odometer reading at the time of sale.
- Amount of sale.
- Date of sale.
- Signature of the seller.
Maine Bill of Sale Form
You can use the template supplied by the Maine BMV: Maine Bill of Sale Form
Or you can use a generic form – click here to download and print a generic Maine Generic Bill of Sale Form for private transactions.
If the vehicle is model year 1995 or newer, a signed over the title to new owner from the previous owner(s) is required.
It is important to note that Federal and State law require that you supply to the buyer a written odometer disclosure statement upon transfer of ownership.
To complete an odometer disclosure statement use this form: Odometer Disclosure Statement – Form MVT-32
If you purchase your motor vehicle from a dealer, the dealer is required to give you an official Bill of Sale which will include the purchase price of the vehicle, used to compute the sales tax (5.5% of the price).
How to fill in the Maine Bill of Sale Form
The Maine Bill of Sale Form is composed of three sections. Below you’ll learn how to fill in this form:
Section 1
The first section of the Maine Bill of Sale Form contains first the signing parties information. First fill in the full name of the seller and buyer. The names must be PRINTED. This means to use only Capital Letters to write SELLER’S and BUYER’S NAME. Next fill in the sale price of the vehicle.
Lastly fill in the vehicle information. So you need to fill in the Year, Make, Model, VIN or Vehicle Identification Number, Body type, and Color:
Section 2
The second section contains the Odometer Disclosure Statement. Here you need to fill in the current odometer reading at the time of sale. Specifically fill in only digits without tenths. Also and if ONLY it’s the case check if the mileage is in excess of its mechanical limits or the odometer reading is not the actual mileage.
Section 3
In the third section you can check and certify first that there is no active lienholder on this vehicle. Next fill in seller’s signature, address and date. Finally fill in buyer’s signature, address and date:
You can fill out this Bill of Sale form by hand. However don’t forget to use a pen and not a pencil. If you are filling out this form on your device (phone, tablet, computer) this form is a fillable PDF that works best with Adobe Acrobat Reader.
How to complete a generic Maine Bill of Sale Form
The Maine Generic Bill of Sale Form is composed of three sections and below you’ll see how to complete this form:
Section 1
The 1st section contains the vehicle information. Here you need to complete the Make, Model, Year, Style (Body type), Color, VIN or Vehicle Identification Number. Next complete the Odometer Reading at the time of transfer (use only digits, no tenths) and seller registration number. Lastly answer if you previously filed an application for title of this vehicle:
Section 2
In the 2nd section you have to complete first the Seller information. This means to write the full name of the seller. The name must be PRINTED – this means to use only Capital Letters to write SELLER’S NAME. Then complete seller’s street address, seller’s city and state. Further you will need to complete the Buyer information. First complete the full name of the buyer. The buyer’s name must be PRINTED. This means to use only Capital Letters to write BUYER’S NAME. Additionally complete buyer’s street address, buyer’s city and state. After these details you will have to complete the sum of the transfer price of the vehicle or the word GIFT. Lastly indicate if this vehicle was a gift and the relationship with the buyer (e.g. parent, spouse, friend):
Section 3
The 3rd and last section represents the seller’s statement about the details contained in this generic Bill of Sale. Finally complete seller’s signature and date:
Please note that you can fill out this Bill of Sale form by hand. However don’t forget to use a pen and not a pencil. If you are filling out this form on your device (phone, tablet, computer) this form is a fillable PDF that works best with Adobe Acrobat Reader.
Discover more about the Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles
For more information go to Department of the Secretary of State – Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles
The Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles, within the constitutional office of the Department of the Secretary of State, was established in 1905. In particular it was established out of concern for public safety following the invention, mass production, and use of automobiles. Since 1905, the Bureau has served the residents of the State and all users of Maine highways. It does that by qualifying and licensing drivers and by maintaining records of driver history, vehicle ownership and vehicle registration. Through the collection of the licensing and registration fees associated with these services, the BMV also provides revenue to build and maintain Maine’s highways.
Today, through the leadership of the Secretary of State, the Bureau offers a variety of online services. These services are in addition to its familiar branch office locations. Using online services, for example, Maine motorists may renew their driver’s license or order a duplicate license. They can also renew their vehicle registration, or check on the availability of personalized license plates. Furthermore many other online services are available to businesses, individual motorists and other customers.