Maine Bill of Sale — Free Template & Generator
Every private vehicle sale in Maine needs a bill of sale. When a vehicle is bought privately, the Bureau of Motor Vehicles lists “A signed bill of sale” first among the documents, ahead of the title — which Maine only requires for vehicles with a model year within the last 25 years. For older vehicles, the bill of sale is the ownership paperwork.
- Free
- No signup
- Word & PDF
- Maine pre-selected
How it works
- 01 Maine 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 Maine’s paperwork
Word & PDF on your device; the state steps and forms are listed below, each cited to the source.
What Maine actually requires
Maine rules for a private sale
Last verified September 30, 2026- What a private buyer brings Signed bill of sale; title if 25 years old or newer
For a vehicle purchased from a private sale, the buyer needs “A signed bill of sale,” “A title signed from the previous owner to the current owner for vehicle models 25 years old and newer,” and the white and yellow copies of the registration application and excise tax receipt.
Maine Secretary of State, BMV — Register a Passenger Vehicle
- Which vehicles need a title Model years within the last 25 years
“Maine requires a title for vehicles with a model year within the last 25 years: As of January 1, 2026, vehicles with a model year of 2001 or newer must have a title. As of January 1, 2027, vehicles with a model year of 2002 or newer must have a title.”
- Taxes Excise at the town office, then 5.5% sales tax
“You must pay excise (municipal) tax at your town office.” Then: “You must pay Maine’s sales tax (5.5%) on the purchase price of the vehicle,” and “a title application fee ($33), on vehicle models 25 years old and newer.” If your municipality does not issue registrations, you register at a BMV branch after paying the tax at the municipal office.
Maine Secretary of State, BMV — Register a Passenger Vehicle
- Odometer and liens Disclosed on the state bill of sale
Maine’s Motor Vehicle Bill of Sale includes an Odometer Disclosure Statement — the reading in whole miles, actual unless the seller checks “in excess of its mechanical limits” or “not the actual mileage” — and the seller’s certification that “there is no active lienholder on this vehicle.” The buyer signs to acknowledge the odometer disclosure.
How this document fits Maine’s paperwork
Official form: Motor Vehicle Bill of Sale — Motor Vehicle Bill of Sale (Maine Secretary of State). Records the purchase price, year, make, model, VIN, body type and color, an odometer disclosure, and the seller’s certification that “there is no active lienholder on this vehicle.” It states that municipal, county and state taxes are not included in the price, and tells buyers not to sign until every section above is completed and signed.
Maine asks for a signed bill of sale on every private sale, so the buyer needs one whatever the vehicle’s age. The generated document records the price the 5.5% sales tax is charged on, the odometer reading and the as-is terms. The Secretary of State’s one-page form adds the lien certification. For a vehicle within the last 25 model years, the seller also signs the title over to the buyer. The buyer pays excise at the town office before registering.
FAQ
Maine bill of sale questions
- Is a bill of sale required in Maine?
- Yes, for a private sale. The BMV lists a signed bill of sale among the documents needed to register a vehicle bought privately, and a title signed from the previous owner is required in addition for vehicle models 25 years old and newer.
- Which cars need a title in Maine?
- Those with a model year within the last 25 years. As of January 1, 2026, that means model year 2001 or newer; as of January 1, 2027, model year 2002 or newer. Older vehicles change hands on a bill of sale.
- What taxes does a Maine private buyer pay?
- Excise tax at the town office first, then Maine’s 5.5% sales tax on the purchase price, plus a $33 title application fee for vehicles 25 years old and newer. The state bill of sale form notes that these taxes are not included in the purchase price.
- Does a Maine bill of sale need to be notarized?
- The Secretary of State’s Motor Vehicle Bill of Sale has signature lines for the seller and the buyer and no notary block, and the BMV’s private-sale checklist asks for “a signed bill of sale.”
- Where do I register a car I bought privately in Maine?
- At your town or city office, after paying the excise tax there. If your municipality does not issue registrations, you can register at a BMV branch office after paying the tax at your municipal office.
- 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.