In Missouri, a bill of sale document needs to be completed when the ownership of property is transferred from one individual to another. It is a legal form that contains information on the specifics of the transaction and details about the legal buyer and seller so it can be stored on a legal record. Its main purpose is to protect the buyer and the seller, alongside being a requirement for registering a vehicle or boat following a purchase. As such, anyone looking to transfer the ownership of property needs to know how to write a bill of sale in Missouri.
The precise Missouri bill of sale template needed for each transaction depends on the property being sold. Examples include a car, boat, firearm, trailer, horse, or other personal property types. Here we explain all there is to know and offer a printable Missouri Bill of Sale PDF template for you to use, for free, to make life simple.
According to Missouri law, whenever the ownership of personal property is transferred, it needs to be recorded in a bill of sale document. This makes the transaction legally binding and acts as the proof of purchase for the buyer. This is needed when registering a boat or vehicle with the state. It also acts as an assurance for the seller, as details of the property and its condition at the time of sale are noted. Moreover, the seller is protected from certain liabilities if the property is found to be involved in unlawful incidents. For example, if a vehicle was involved in a robbery or a firearm used illegally.
Missouri offers a general bill of sale form for buyers and sellers to use if they wish. This document is titled Missouri Form 1957. This can be used for a range of different property transactions, including the purchase of vehicles, boats, firearms, horses, trailers, jewelry, furniture, and more. Alternatively, you may choose to write a bill of sale document yourself, based on the templates on this page. Regardless of which you choose, they must all contain the following information:
To finalize the bill of sale, both the buyer and the seller must sign and print the form. Two copies need to be made, one for each party. In the case of motor vehicle sales, a third copy must be made, for the state to keep on record.
A Missouri Vehicle Bill of Sale is the most common bill of sale used in the state. It is used when transferring ownership of a motor vehicle from one individual to another and has to contain all of the following information:
You can use one of our Missouri Bill of Sale PDF templates as the basis for writing the legal document. Note, in Missouri, it is not a requirement for the vehicle bill of sale to be notarized, this is only a requirement when proving ownership of the major parts of a rebuilt vehicle or for a temporary permit. After the document has been completed and notarized, if necessary, a copy must be sent to the Missouri Department of Revenue (DOR) to complete the vehicle registration process.
In Missouri, it doesn’t matter whether you’re purchasing a vehicle from a car dealership or a private seller, it is the buyer’s responsibility in both cases to complete the registration process and title the vehicle within 30 days of the purchase date. To do this, the buyer must bring their Missouri Form 1957 or other proof of purchase document to their local license office. If purchasing a new vehicle from a dealership, the buyer needs to bring a statement of origin from the manufacturer. For private sales, they need to bring a safety inspection certificate for vehicles over five years old, an emissions inspection certificate, and proof of insurance.
Private buyers of a vehicle in Missouri will also need to pay all applicable sales taxes within 30 days post-purchase. According to state law, all purchases are taxed at a rate of 4.225 percent, plus local sales taxes, based on the agreed purchase price, as per the Missouri bill of sale document. Failure to do so in the allotted time frame will result in fines. Other fees to be aware of include the title fees, title processing fees, registration and license plate fees, and registration processing fees, which all cost under 10 dollars each.
For purchasing a vessel, a Missouri Form 1957 can be used to record the transaction. Alternatively, use one of our Missouri Bill of Sale templates on this page or draft your own. Whichever is decided, the bill of sale form must contain the following purchase information:
Buyers are required to title and register the new boat with the state of Missouri if the vessel measures over 12 feet in length and is mechanically propelled with outboard motors. For example, a vessel measuring 13 feet in length but propelled by paddles will not need to be registered, nor will a nine-foot motorized boat. However, all vessels meeting both requirements must be titled and registered. Purchasers legally have 60 days from the agreed purchase date to do so, with fees applicable to late registrations.
To register a vessel with the state, the buyer must submit the Missouri Bill of Sale or other proof of purchase document to their local licensing office, along with Form 93 Application for Missouri Boat/Vessel or Outboard Motor Title and Registration Form and proof of payment of sales taxes. As with vehicle sales, boat sales are taxed at 4.225 percent, plus additional local sales taxes, which vary based on the buyer’s county of residence. Prior to registering the vessel, you can also choose to purchase a temporary permit, which allows you to operate the vessel for up to 30 days on Missouri waterways, which automatically expires 60 days post-purchase.
Many people choose to complete a Missouri bill of sale template when transferring the ownership of a firearm between individuals. However, this is not a legal requirement in the state. This is because Missouri is a permit-less carry state and has been since January 2017. This means residents do not need to register a firearm following a purchase nor obtain a permit to use it. However, they can only carry one firearm on their person, either openly or concealed.
Therefore, whenever a bill of sale form for a gun is completed, it is for personal reasons rather than legality. This is a courtesy for the buyer and protects against certain liabilities, such as if the weapon was involved in a crime or used for illegal means. If choosing to write a bill of sale for a gun, our Missouri Bill of Sale PFD is a great option. Alternatively, many people prefer to write their own version. If so, ensure that the paperwork contains all of the following information:
A Missouri Horse Bill of Sale acknowledges the transfer of ownership of a horse from the seller to the buyer. As with transactions involving firearms, a bill of sale for an equine transaction is not a legal requirement in the state. However, it is recommended to use one of our Missouri Bill of Sale PDF templates to offer protection if there are any doubts over the rightful owner of the horse. It should include the following information:
Once you know how to write a bill of sale in Missouri, buying and selling property via dealerships or privately becomes easy. For vehicles and boats, this document is a legal requirement and necessary for registering cars or vessels with the state. For firearms and horses, Missouri Form 1957 is optional. However, we always recommend completing the form for large transactions for the protection of the buyer and the seller. Download our Missouri Bill of Sale template to get started.
