When Does a Bill of Sale Need a Notary?
A bill of sale sounds like a formality — proof you bought or sold something — but whether it needs a notary’s involvement depends on what’s being sold and where it’s headed. Here’s the breakdown.
What a Bill of Sale Actually Documents
A bill of sale is a simple record of a transaction: what was sold, for how much, between which parties, and when. It’s most commonly used for private sales of vehicles, boats, and other significant personal property where there isn’t already a formal transfer document handling the same job.
When Notarization Is Actually Required
Requirements vary by what’s being sold:
- Vehicles — Florida doesn’t universally require a notarized bill of sale for private car sales, though some situations (older titles, specific circumstances) may call for it
- Vessels (boats) — some vessel title transfers and registrations require a notarized bill of sale, particularly for larger or titled boats; check current FLHSMV requirements for your specific vessel
- High-value personal property — not typically required, but sometimes requested by one party for extra assurance
The safest approach for any specific transaction: check the current requirements for that exact item type, since rules can be specific to the category of property involved.
Why Notarize One Even When It’s Optional
Even when notarization isn’t strictly required, it adds real value to a bill of sale:
- Verified identity of both parties involved
- A timestamped, witnessed record of the transaction
- Extra credibility if the sale is ever questioned or disputed later
- Peace of mind for both buyer and seller, particularly in private sales between people who don’t know each other well
Given how quick and inexpensive notarizing a single-page document typically is, it’s often worth doing even when not legally mandated.
Bill of Sale vs. Title: Not the Same Thing
This distinction trips people up. A bill of sale documents the transaction — the sale itself. A title (for a vehicle or titled vessel) is the official ownership document. You may need both for a complete, properly documented sale: the bill of sale as a record of what happened, and the title transfer as the official change of ownership. Our guide on notarizing a vehicle title covers the title side specifically.
What to Bring to the Appointment
- The unsigned bill of sale, with sale details already filled in
- Valid, government-issued photo ID for whoever’s signing
- Both buyer and seller, if both signatures need to be witnessed
Getting It Notarized
Whether you’re finalizing a private vehicle sale, a boat transaction, or another significant personal property sale, Easy Day Notary can notarize your bill of sale quickly, in person or through Remote Online Notary. Schedule an appointment or contact us if you’re unsure whether your specific sale requires it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a bill of sale required for a private vehicle sale in Florida?
Not always, but it's strongly recommended even when not strictly required, since it documents the sale price, date, and condition of the item for both parties' protection.
Does a boat bill of sale need to be notarized in Florida?
It depends on the situation — some vessel registrations and title transfers require notarization on the bill of sale, particularly for larger or titled vessels. Check with the FLHSMV for your specific vessel type.
Is a bill of sale the same as a vehicle title?
No — a bill of sale documents the transaction itself (price, parties, date), while a title is the official ownership document. Both may be involved in a vehicle or vessel sale, but they serve different purposes.
Should I get a bill of sale notarized even if it's not required?
It's a reasonable precaution, especially for higher-value private sales — notarization adds a layer of verified documentation that can help if the transaction is ever disputed later.