Maine Bill of Sale Requirements & Free Form

Maine requirements

• A signed bill of sale is required to register a passenger vehicle bought in a private sale in Maine.
• Start at your town office: municipal excise tax must be paid before registration, and many town offices also issue the registration itself. Otherwise finish at a BMV branch.
• For vehicles with a model year within the last 25 years, the previous owner's title signed over to the buyer is required, with a title application fee of 33 dollars.
• Maine sales tax of 5.5 percent on the purchase price is collected at registration, along with proof of insurance.
• Maine does not require the bill of sale to be notarized.
• The BMV publishes its own bill of sale document; ours is a general purpose alternative that captures the same core facts of buyer, seller, vehicle, price, and date. Confirm any extras with the BMV Registration Section.

Frequently asked questions

Is a bill of sale required to register a car in Maine?

Yes. The Maine BMV lists a signed bill of sale among the required documents when you register a vehicle purchased in a private sale, together with the signed over title for vehicles new enough to be titled and proof of insurance.

Where do I go first after buying a car privately in Maine?

Your town office. Municipal excise tax must be paid there before the vehicle can be registered, and many town offices can complete the registration at the same visit; otherwise you finish at a BMV branch.

Official sources

• https://www.maine.gov/sos/bmv/vehicles/register-a-passenger-vehicle