In the State of Missouri, the Bill of Sale form acts as a receipt for the buyer and provides proof that the seller no longer owns the vehicle.
Moreover, in Missouri you have to report the sale of a vehicle within 30 days of the sale.
The method of reporting the sale involves submitting a Bill of Sale to the The Motor Vehicle and Driver Licensing Division.
So the purpose of a Bill of Sale is to provide legal documentation for the sale of a motor vehicle.
To be valid these details should appear on the Missouri Bill of Sale form:
- Name and address of the buyer
- Name and address of the seller
- Vehicle details, including Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) and sale price
- Buyer’s and seller’s signatures
The Bill of Sale form is also necessary to receive a clear title and registration for your vehicle.
Many vehicles are sold in Missouri every year. As a seller, there are certain things you should know before you enter into the sale of a vehicle. You can find more details below.
Missouri Bill of Sale Form
You must report the sale of your vehicle to the Department of Revenue if it is a motor vehicle, trailer, or all-terrain vehicle.
Sellers, other than Missouri licensed dealers, must submit a completed Missouri Bill of Sale Form (Form 1957) to report the sale.
They can also submit also a Notice of Sale (Form 5049). In this case read below more information about how to report the sale of your vehicle.
The Bill of Sale or Even-Trade Bill of Sale must be notarized when showing proof of ownership on major component parts of a rebuilt vehicle or when specifically requested to be notarized by the Department of Revenue.
How to fill out the Missouri Bill of Sale Form
This Missouri Bill of Sale Form 1957 is composed of eight sections. Below you can learn how to fill out this state-approved form:
Section 1 of the Missouri Bill of Sale
The first section contains instructions and buyer’s and seller’s details. First fill in 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. Then fill in buyer’s street address, buyer’s city, state and ZIP code.
Next fill in the full name of the seller. The name must be PRINTED. Again, this means to use only Capital Letters to write SELLER’S NAME. Lastly fill in seller’s street address, seller’s city, state and ZIP code:
Section 2 of the Missouri Bill of Sale
The second section contains the vehicle information. Here you need to fill the Year, Make, Title Number and VIN or Vehicle Identification Number. Also fill here the sale date and the sale price:
Sections 3 & 4 of the Missouri Bill of Sale
The third and fourth sections are on the same row. The 3rd section is necessary when you sell a boat and you need to fill in the Year, Make, Title Number, Vessel Identification Number, sale date and sale price. The 4th section is necessary when you sell a trailer and you are have to fill in the Year, Make, Title Number, Vehicle Identification Number, sale date and sale price:
Section 5 of the Missouri Bill of Sale
You use the fifth section when you sell an outboard motor. Here you must fill in the Year, Make, Title Number, Motor Identification Number, Horsepower, sale date and sale price:
Section 6 of the Missouri Bill of Sale
The sixth section is mandatory for a unit or vehicle traded for and you need to fill in the Year, Make, Title Number and Vehicle Identification Number:
Section 7 of the Missouri Bill of Sale
The seventh section is also a statement under penalties of perjury. Here you need to fill in the signatures of the buyer and the seller and check if the Unit or Vehicle is Sold For Destruction:
Section 8 of the Missouri Bill of Sale
Finally the last section is reserved for Notary and you don’t have to fill in this part:
Please note that you can fill out this Bill of Sale form by hand also. However don’t forget to use a pen with blue or black ink and not a pencil. If you fill this form on your device (phone, tablet, computer) this form is a fillable PDF that works best with Adobe Acrobat Reader.
Selling a Vehicle in Missouri
When a transaction occurs between two private parties, there are certain legal and reporting responsibilities.
When you sell a vehicle, other than a trade-in or sale to a Missouri dealer, you have certain legal responsibilities. You must provide the following to the vehicle buyer:
- Properly assigned Certificate of Title (see instructions);
- *Safety inspection certificate, less than 60 days old;
- *An emissions inspection not more than 60 days old, if you reside in St. Louis City or the following counties: Franklin, Jefferson, St. Charles, or St. Louis; and Lien Release. If your title shows a lienholder (such as a bank or credit union) on it, your lienholder must give you a notarized lien release showing that you have paid off the loan and are released from the lien. If your lienholder does not use the Notice of Lien, Lien Release, or Authorization to Add/Remove Name from Title – Form 4809 – to release the lien, they must give you a notarized statement, on their letterhead, stating the lien is released.
*If the buyer is an out of state resident, please contact that state for the inspection requirements.
Before the purchaser takes possession of the vehicle, remove your license plates (whether they are valid or expired).
Remember: All sellers and purchasers must print their names and sign the back of the title in the assignment area. These signatures do not need to be notarized. So the seller must write in the odometer reading and date of sale. You may not use correction fluid (white-out) or erase marks from the title.
Now the law requires to complete an Odometer Disclosure Statement form when you transfer a vehicle that is a model year 2011 or newer, below 16,000 pounds, and that is self-propelled.
Buying a Vehicle in Missouri
You have 30 days from the date of purchase to title and pay sales tax on your newly purchased vehicle. If you do not title the vehicle within 30 days, there is a title penalty of $25 on the 31st day after purchase. The penalty increases another $25 for every 30 days you are late with a maximum penalty of $200.
When you purchase your vehicle, you may obtain a temporary permit, transfer license plates from a vehicle you already own, or you may purchase new license plates. This online sales tax calculator may help you estimate the taxes and fees you will pay.
Upon purchase of a newly acquired motor vehicle, trailer, or motorcycle/motortricycle, you may purchase a temporary permit from the dealer to operate the vehicle when no plates are available for transfer. (Missouri dealers can sell temporary permits to out-of-state residents only if they are purchasing motor vehicles, trailers, or motorcycles/motor tricycles from their dealership).
Temporary Permits in Missouri
Temporary permits may be issued for a period of 30 or 90 days from the purchase date. 90-day permits are only available for sale by qualified dealers and are issued when specific conditions are met. Only ONE temporary permit may be purchased per vehicle. Temporary permits may not be purchased and are no longer valid once application for title has been made. Temporary permits may NOT be purchased for junk vehicles.
To obtain a temporary permit, please bring the following items with you to any Missouri license office:
One of the following ownership documents:
- The Certificate of Title, properly signed over to you (see instructions), or Manufacturer’s Statement of Origin (MSO);
- Bill of Sale (Form 1957);
- Notice of Sale (Form 5049); or
- A Missouri Application for Title and License (Form 108) signed by the dealer.
- A safety inspection (not more than 60 days old), unless:
– the vehicle is less than five years old;
– you are a resident of a state other than Missouri; or
– you are obtaining a temporary permit for a trailer.
A current insurance identification card (original, copy, or electronic if legible) or other proof of financial responsibility. This requirement does not apply to trailers.
Don’t Become A Victim of Curbstoning!
Curbstoning is the sale of used vehicles by unlicensed dealers who pretend to be private parties in order to evade regulation. Their customers often get saddled with damaged, dangerous, or uninsurable vehicles – by which time the curbstoner is long gone with their cash. Curbstoning is illegal in many states, yet defrauds thousands of unwary consumers every year.
Discover more about the Missouri Motor Vehicle and Driver Licensing Division
For more information go to Missouri Department of Revenue – Motor Vehicle and Driver Licensing Division.
The Missouri Department of Revenue was created in 1945 by the Missouri Constitution to serve as the central collection agency for all state revenue. The primary duties of the Department are to collect taxes, title and register motor vehicles, and license drivers.
The mission of the Department of Revenue is to facilitate the proper functioning of state and local government. Therefore it supports public safety by effectively administering the laws related to motor vehicle sale and registration, and driver licensing.
The Motor Vehicle and Driver Licensing Division administers Missouri’s laws that relate to titling and registration of motor vehicles and licensing drivers.
More details about the Motor Vehicle and Driver Licensing Division
The Motor Vehicle and Driver Licensing Division consists of three bureaus.
The Motor Vehicle Bureau issues titles and registers motor vehicles. Other vehicles are includes as trailers, all-terrain vehicles, manufactured homes, and marine craft. Also the bureau issues registration certificates to motor vehicle and salvage dealers and leasing companies.
The Driver License Bureau issues, renews, suspends, revokes, and reinstates driver and nondriver licenses and driving permits. The bureau processes and maintains records relating to license issuance, traffic violation point assessments, and failure to appear in court for traffic violations. It also administers administrative alcohol and abuse and lose laws for alcohol/drug offenders.
The License Offices Bureau manages the operations of 178 license offices throughout the state of Missouri. These local offices provide driver licensing and motor vehicle services to Missourians.