Kentucky Bill of Sale Forms (5)

A Kentucky bill of sale form accredits the named person as the official possessor of an item, thereby releasing the seller from ownership. Both parties discuss the document’s contents, ensuring that they have provided accurate information about themselves and the property. Once they agree on the terms, each person signs to note their approval.

Summary

Kentucky does not have state-provided forms or notarization requirements.
Buyers and sellers must sign all bill of sale documents to verify the sale.
Utility trailers require a title but do not need to undergo registration.

Types (5)

Boat Bill of Sale – A formal receipt outlining how and when a buyer purchased a vessel from a seller.

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Firearm Bill of Sale – Provides a summary of a gun sale and both parties involved in the exchange.

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General Bill of Sale – Certifies ownership over an item that does not fall into a definite category.

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Motor Vehicle Bill of Sale – Describes the particulars of a car, van, or truck transaction.

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Trailer Bill of Sale – For selling a utility trailer from one party to another.

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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

What is a Kentucky Bill of Sale?

A Kentucky bill of sale releases the seller from ownership and bestows the responsibilities onto the new owner. By claiming the item, the buyer agrees to take care of legal obligations and payments incurred for repairs, taxes, or other relevant matters. The purchaser cannot demand compensation or reimbursement from the seller, even if something breaks or becomes damaged after the transaction.

The owner can use a bill of sale to obtain a title and registration for a motor vehicle or boat. In addition, they can reference it to see the odometer reading or value at the time of the sale. Each person should retain a copy of the form following the sale as proof of purchase. The new owner may also need it if they decide to sell the item again.

Registration Forms: Boats

County clerks accept vessel registration applications and fees in Kentucky.

Bill of Sale – A document that provides information on how and when the buyer acquired ownership of a boat.
Application for Registration and/or Title (TC 96-184) – Vessel owners complete this form to register and/or title their watercraft.
Payment – Registration fees depend on the boat’s length, which the state defines by classes.
Title – The registrar must present a notarized, signed title. To apply for a duplicate, they must complete the applicable section on the application (TC 96-184).
Hull Identification Number (HIN) – A photograph or tracing (using a pencil) of the boat’s identifying number.
Proof of Paid Sales Tax – Boat owners must pay their taxes before April 30th to avoid fines.
Identification (ID) – The applicant must present a document verifying their home address, name, and birthday.

Additional (Optional) Documents

Application for HIN (Form TC 96-169) – A form needed to apply for a HIN. The owner must present a notarized document that proves ownership (i.e., a title, bill of sale, registration, affidavit, or order from the court).
Manufacturer’s Certificate of Origin (MCO) – Owners of brand new boats must present this form to the county clerk.

Registration Forms: Firearms

Kentucky residents do not need to undergo gun registration. Individuals wanting a concealed carry license must follow the instructions for registering at a county sheriff’s office or online.

Application – Applications are only available by visiting a county sheriff’s office or using the online portal.
Payment – The applicant owes $60 upon application (includes county and state fees).
Photograph – A clear headshot of the person applying for the license.
Firearms Training Course – The applicant must present evidence of passing a class on gun safety through an approved source.

Additional (Optional) Documents

Carry Concealed Deadly Weapons Licensee Request for Change of Personal Information (Form KSP 121) – To make corrections, such as an address or name change, to an existing concealed carry license.
Citizenship Affidavit (Form KSP 131) – For non-U.S. citizen applicants only.
Request for Duplicate (KSP 126) – License holders complete this form to replace lost, stolen, or damaged permits.

Registration Forms: Vehicles

Registrars must locate their nearest county clerk to provide the documents needed for car registration.

Bill of Sale – This form contains the intricacies of a deal between a buyer and seller.
Application for Kentucky Certificate of Title or Registration (Form TC 96-182) – A document that includes details of the new owner and the car they purchased.
Odometer Disclosure Statement (Form TC 96-5) – A notarized form that a buyer and seller complete to approve or deny the odometer reading.
Insurance (Minimum Liability Coverage) –
- Bodily Injury (one person): $25,000
- Bodily Injury (all persons): $50,000
- Property Damage (per accident): $25,000
- Single Limit: An owner chooses this policy ($60,000 minimum) in place of bodily injury and property damage insurance.
Payment – Each county clerk’s office charges a special rate for vehicle registration.
Identification (ID) – The new owner must provide an accepted ID to register their car.

Additional (Optional) Documents

Application for Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) (Form TC 96-169) – A document used to apply for a VIN.
Kentucky Motor Vehicle Power of Attorney (Form TC 96-336) – A form only utilized when the owner wants another person to carry out their vehicle obligations.
Road Usage Tax – The applicant must prove that they paid taxes (at a 6% rate) upon purchasing a new vehicle.
Vehicle Inspection – The state requires a vehicle inspection if the owner previously registered or titled the car in another state. Since each county has specific inspection policies, residents should defer to their local office to learn more.

Registration Forms: Trailers

Kentucky requires titling of all trailers in the state; however, it only mandates registration for commercial use trailers. Residents who privately own and operate their trailers do not need a registration. Regardless of the need, buyers and sellers should always use a bill of sale form to obtain proof of purchase.

How to Write

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Step 1 – Today’s Date

At the top of the form, enter the date of completion. More often than not, this should be the current (today’s) date.

Step 2 – Buyer & Seller Info

For both the buyer and seller, each person will need to enter the following information (* = optional):

Name
Address (should include any unit or apt number, city, state, and ZIP)
Phone Number*
Email*

Step 3 – Vehicle Info

The form must contain a sufficient description of the vehicle to identify it easily. The person writing the form needs to present a description of the car and include the following:

Make (e.g., Ford, Lotus)
Model (e.g., F-150, Elise)
Year (e.g., 2025)
Body type or style (e.g., 4 dr, coupe, XLT)
Color (exterior)
Odometer (miles)
VIN (17 digits)

Step 4 – Payment

There are three (3) payment options provided on the form. The document’s writer will need to select just one (1) of the displayed options, which include:

Payment – This is the standard option. Involves the buyer making a direct payment to the seller via cash, credit, check, or a bank transfer.
Gift – Used if the seller is gifting the motor vehicle to another person (such as a family or friend).
Trade – Both parties should complete this section if the seller will be receiving a vehicle in return from the buyer for their car. Here, the seller can list the value of the trade-in vehicle and the amount the buyer is paying (if any) to the seller.

Step 5 – Additional Terms

This section is optional and allows the parties to add any custom language to the document if they feel necessary.

Step 6 – Signatures

At the end of the document, the buyer and seller must sign, date, and print their name on the form.

Step 7 – Notarization

This section is optional and provides the parties with additional proof that they signed the form. If the parties are notarizing the document, they will need to wait to sign until directed by a Notary Public.