Tennessee Bill of Sale — Free Template & Generator
Tennessee’s Department of Revenue is blunt: a notarized bill of sale is not sufficient proof of ownership — a properly endorsed title showing the chain of title is. The bill of sale still records the price, the date and the terms of the sale. Generate one with Tennessee pre-selected, then follow the steps below, each cited to the Department of Revenue.
- Free
- No signup
- Word & PDF
- Tennessee pre-selected
How it works
- 01 Tennessee 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 Tennessee’s paperwork
Word & PDF on your device; the state steps and forms are listed below, each cited to the source.
What Tennessee actually requires
Tennessee rules for a private sale
Last verified September 4, 2026- What proves ownership An endorsed title — not a bill of sale
A notarized bill of sale is not sufficient proof of ownership. A properly endorsed title showing all chain of title is needed to show requisite ownership of a vehicle.
TN Department of Revenue — SB-3, Notarized Bill of Sale Is Not Sufficient Proof of Ownership
- Documents to title a used vehicle Assigned title + odometer statement
A current Tennessee resident titles a used vehicle at the county clerk’s office with proof of identification and residency, a valid certificate of title properly assigned, an odometer disclosure statement if applicable, and a copy of the current registration if transferring a license plate.
TN Department of Revenue — VT-1, Documents Needed to Title a Vehicle
- Gifts, low prices and relatives Affidavit of Non-dealer Transfers
For gift, low selling price, or lineal relative vehicle transfers, the Affidavit of Non-dealer Transfers of Motor Vehicles and Boats is needed.
TN Department of Revenue — VT-1, Documents Needed to Title a Vehicle
- Notary Follows the rule of the title’s state
Tennessee complies with the notary requirements for out-of-state titles — a title from a state that requires notarization (Pennsylvania, for example) must be notarized to be titled in Tennessee; Kentucky is currently the only exception. Where owners are joined by “or”, Tennessee requires only one owner’s signature.
TN Department of Revenue — VT-2, TN Complies with Notary & Signature Requirements from Other States
How this document fits Tennessee’s paperwork
Official form: The Department of Revenue’s checklist for a used vehicle is the properly assigned title, an odometer disclosure statement where applicable, and — for gifts, low selling prices or transfers between lineal relatives — the Affidavit of Non-dealer Transfers of Motor Vehicles and Boats. It lists no bill-of-sale form.
Because the title is the proof of ownership, the bill of sale’s job in Tennessee is to record the deal: price, date, odometer reading, payment and the as-is terms. Sign it, keep a copy each, and take the properly assigned title (and the odometer statement) to the county clerk. If the vehicle is a gift, sold cheaply or passed between lineal relatives, add the Affidavit of Non-dealer Transfers.
FAQ
Tennessee bill of sale questions
- Can I title a car in Tennessee with just a notarized bill of sale?
- No. The Department of Revenue states that a notarized bill of sale is not sufficient proof of ownership; you need a properly endorsed title showing the full chain of title. If the title is lost, the seller has to replace it before the sale.
- What do I bring to the county clerk to title a used car?
- Proof of identification and residency, the certificate of title properly assigned to you, an odometer disclosure statement if applicable, and a copy of the current registration if you are transferring your plate.
- Does a Tennessee bill of sale need to be notarized?
- Tennessee applies the notary rule of the state that issued the title: an out-of-state title from a state that requires notarization must be notarized, while Tennessee’s own requirement is the properly assigned title. Notarizing the bill of sale does not turn it into proof of ownership either way.
- What if the car is a gift or sold to a relative for a low price?
- File the Affidavit of Non-dealer Transfers of Motor Vehicles and Boats with the title application — the Department of Revenue requires it for gift, low-selling-price and lineal-relative transfers.
- 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.