Maine Bill of Sale Forms (5)

A Maine bill of sale form is used when a person sells an item in exchange for payment. The seller can also complete a bill of sale to gift an individual their personal property. The document records the names and addresses of the parties, identifying info on what was sold, the amount paid, and their signatures.

Things to know

Maine does not require notarization of bill of sale forms.
Owners must give buyers the official certificate of title upon selling a boat or car.
Buyers can purchase a gun through a private sale without needing a permit.

Types (5)

Boat Bill of Sale – A form confirming the purchaser compensated the seller when obtaining ownership of a vessel.

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Firearm Bill of Sale – Refers to any gun that a seller legally transferred to a buyer.

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General Bill of Sale – The broadest bill of sale form that a buyer and seller use to exchange personal property.

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Motor Vehicle Bill of Sale – Involved in the reassignment of ownership of a car, truck, or van.

Download: PDF

Trailer Bill of Sale – This form an owner to show another entity that they legally acquired a utility trailer from a seller.

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Signing Requirements

Bill of Sale Type	Buyer Signature	Seller Signature	Notarization
Boat	Required	Required	Not required
Firearm	Required	Required	Not required
General (others)	Required	Required	Not required
Motor Vehicle	Required	Required	Not required
Trailer	Required	Required	Not required

Registration Requirements

Boats

Submit documents to the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife Office.

Boat Bill of Sale – A boat-specific document that provides information on the seller’s release of ownership.
Recreational Vehicle Registration Application – The new owner must complete this form to apply for Maine boat registration.
Payment – The amount owed by the owner depends on the boat’s horsepower.
Title – The owner must have a signed, authentic copy of the certificate of title.

Firearms

Maine residents do not need to obtain a purchase permit or register their firearm(s). When carrying out a private sale, the owner does not need to look into the buyer’s criminal and mental background. However, the person purchasing the gun cannot have felony charges and must be of sound mind.

Vehicles

Visit a BMV Office Monday through Friday during operating hours to submit documents.

Vehicle Bill of Sale – An official state form that includes details of a sale between the buyer and seller.
Odometer Disclosure Statement (Form MVT-32) – Buyers and sellers sign this document to verify the mileage on the date of the sale.
Liability Insurance
Payment – A chart of vehicle registration prices sorted by plate type.
Title – The owner must provide the BMV with the original title or apply for a new one using the online portal for motor vehicle title replacement.
Registration Application – Distributed at BMV locations.
Photo ID – The owner must present an unexpired Maine driver’s license or another government-issued photo ID like a birth certificate or passport.

Additional (Optional) Documents

Maine Motor Vehicle Power of Attorney – Owners fill out this form to give another person the ability to handle registration paperwork for them.

Trailers

Residents must visit a BMV branch office to register their trailer.

Trailer Bill of Sale – Individuals complete this document upon selling or acquiring a new or used trailer.
Payment – Trailer costs depend on the trailer’s weight and registration duration.
Sales Tax – When buying a new trailer, the fees include sales tax. If the resident purchases a used trailer through a private sale, they must pay 5.5% sales tax during their registration appointment.
Title – Owners of dealer purchased trailers (model year 1995 or newer and over 3,000 pounds) must submit a blue title application. If the person acquired a trailer through a private seller, they must present the signed title in their name.
Identification (ID) – A state or government document that contains details about the applicant.