Connecticut Bill of Sale — Free Template & Generator
Connecticut is plain about it: “A Bill of Sale document is always required along with proof of ownership to process a new vehicle registration.” You may use the DMV’s form H-31 or write your own, “because there is no special form required,” as long as it carries the six items the DMV lists. The generator below includes all six.
- Free
- No signup
- Word & PDF
- Connecticut pre-selected
How it works
- 01 Connecticut is already selected
The governing-law clause names the state; change it only if the sale happens elsewhere.
- 02 Enter the item and the parties
Vehicle, boat or general item — VIN and odometer, or HIN — plus price, payment method, seller and buyer.
- 03 Review clause by clause
The as-is terms, the seller’s title warranty and, for vehicles, the federal odometer statement.
- 04 Download, then file Connecticut’s paperwork
Word & PDF on your device; the state steps and forms are listed below, each cited to the source.
What Connecticut actually requires
Connecticut rules for a private sale
Last verified September 30, 2026- Always required No registration without a bill of sale
“A Bill of Sale document is always required along with proof of ownership to process a new vehicle registration.” The same page notes that Connecticut “does not require a title for vehicles more than 20 model years old,” under C.G.S. §14-166.
Connecticut DMV — Proof of ownership requirements for vehicles
- What your own bill of sale must contain Six items
“You may draft your own bill of sale, because there is no special form required. If you draft your own bill of sale, it must contain the following information - name and address of purchaser; name and address of seller; description of vehicle (make, model, year, color, and vehicle identification number); sales price; date of sale; signature of seller.” The DMV’s bill-of-sale page adds an odometer reading to the vehicle information.
Connecticut DMV — Sell your vehicle; Get a vehicle bill of sale
- Seller’s steps Sign the title, hand over H-31, cancel the plates
“Complete and sign the reverse side of the certificate of title and give it to the new owner along with a bill of sale (Form H-31).” Then: “Keep a copy of the completed title and bill of sale for your records,” and “Remove your plates from the vehicle and cancel your registration with DMV.”
- Sales tax 6.35% (7.75% over $50,000) on the price or NADA value
Passenger vehicles and light trucks bought from private owners “are subject to sales tax of 6.35% (or 7.75% for vehicles over $50,000),” and “Connecticut Sales and Use Tax is based on the NADA average trade-in value or bill of sale value (whichever is higher).” No tax is due on a transfer or sale between immediate family members if the vehicle was registered to that family member for at least 60 days and was taxed on its last sale, and none on a gift.
How this document fits Connecticut’s paperwork
Official form: H-31 — Bill of Sale (State of Connecticut, Department of Motor Vehicles). “Seller of motor vehicle or vessel must complete, sign and give this form to the purchaser. Seller should maintain copy for records.” The seller declares “under penalty of false statement” that the information is true and complete; the purchaser presents it to the DMV to register.
Connecticut accepts any bill of sale with the six items the DMV lists, so the generated document works in place of H-31. It includes the buyer’s and seller’s names and addresses, the vehicle with color and VIN, the price, the date and the seller’s signature, plus the odometer reading. The seller signs the back of the title (unless the vehicle is more than 20 model years old), hands both over, and cancels the registration after removing the plates. The buyer pays 6.35% on the bill-of-sale price or the NADA value, whichever is higher.
FAQ
Connecticut bill of sale questions
- Is a bill of sale required in Connecticut?
- Yes. The DMV says a bill of sale is always required, along with proof of ownership, to process a new vehicle registration. The seller completes it, signs it and gives it to the buyer with the signed title.
- Do I have to use Connecticut form H-31?
- No. The DMV says you may draft your own bill of sale because no special form is required, provided it contains the purchaser’s and seller’s names and addresses, the vehicle’s make, model, year, color and VIN, the sales price, the date of sale and the seller’s signature.
- How much sales tax do I pay on a private car sale in Connecticut?
- 6.35%, or 7.75% for vehicles over $50,000, calculated on the NADA average trade-in value or the bill-of-sale value, whichever is higher. Gifts are not taxed, and transfers between immediate family members are exempt if the vehicle was registered to that relative for at least 60 days and taxed on its last sale.
- Does Connecticut require a title for an old car?
- No title is required for vehicles more than 20 model years old, under C.G.S. §14-166. The bill of sale is still required to register the vehicle.
- What do I do with my plates after selling in Connecticut?
- Remove them from the vehicle and cancel your registration with the DMV. If you cancel online, print the receipt, and keep copies of the completed title and bill of sale for your records.
- Is this legal advice?
- No. Free Contract Generator provides self-help templates and general information, not legal advice, and no attorney-client relationship is created. Vehicle-transfer rules are set by each state and change; confirm the current rule with the agency cited and consult a licensed attorney for advice about your situation.