A bill of sale is the receipt for a private-party sale. It names the seller and buyer, describes the item, states the price, and is signed by both parties on the date of sale. It's used any time property changes hands outside a dealer or retail store — cars, boats, motorcycles, ATVs, trailers, furniture, tools, livestock.

When it's used

Private vehicle sales, boat transfers, motorcycle sales, trailer purchases, ATV/UTV deals, and sales of any general property where both sides want a paper record. Most state DMVs will accept a bill of sale as supporting proof of purchase when registering a vehicle in the buyer's name.

What a bill of sale is NOT

It is not a title. A title (or Certificate of Title) is the state-issued document proving legal ownership of a vehicle, boat, or manufactured home. A bill of sale documents the transaction; the title documents ownership. In most states you need both — the signed-over title and the bill of sale — to register the vehicle in the buyer's name.

Is it legally binding?

Yes, when signed by both parties. It's a contract that records the terms of the sale. It doesn't replace a title, and it isn't legal advice — for complex sales or disputes, talk to a lawyer.