The Wisconsin vehicle bill of sale is a legal document that provides the most important details about the sale and purchase of a vehicle.
The content of the motor vehicle bill of sale makes it suitable to be used as a secondary proof of ownership in case the certificate of title gets lost, destroyed, or unavailable in some other way. Moreover, the vehicle bill of sale can also be used by the tax authorities for calculating sales and other taxes based on the purchase price outlined in the document.
Other Types of Wisconsin Vehicle Bill of Sale
Besides motor vehicle bills of sale, there are other types of vehicle bills of sale that are also commonly used in Wisconsin. These include:
Wisconsin Boat Bill of Sale Requirements & Forms
The Wisconsin boat bill of sale usually includes information about the buyer and seller, the boat's make, model, hull identification number, length, and other relevant information about the boat.
Moreover, the boat’s purchase price and the signatures of the parties involved are also elements of the boat bill of sale. Without these elements included in the document, it won’t produce any legal effects.
Wisconsin Motorcycle Bill of Sale Requirements & Forms
The Wisconsin Motorcycle bill of sale is not required for motorcycle registration in the state of Wisconsin. However, many motorcycle sellers and buyers still choose to make one when transferring motorcycle ownership to protect their rights and prevent any misunderstandings or disputes in the future.
Besides the bill of sale, the motorcycle seller should also complete the Seller Notification Form, which can be done online.
Wisconsin Trailer Bill of Sale Requirements & Forms
In Wisconsin, all trailers with a gross weight of over 3,000 pounds must be registered with the Wisconsin Department of Transportation.
When registering your trailer in Wisconsin, you should provide information such as your trailer’s vehicle identification number, make, model, year of production, and other relevant details. In this regard, the bill of sale can serve as an additional source of information for the registering authority in case some of the information isn’t included in the certificate of title.
Legal Requirements for Wisconsin Vehicle Bill of Sale
Here, you can get familiar with the legal framework that regulates the vehicle bill of sale form in Wisconsin:
Legal Requirements
Is the printable vehicle bill of sale required for the sale or purchase of the vehicle? No, the printable vehicle bill of sale is not required for the sale or purchase of the vehicle in Wisconsin.
Does the state offer a vehicle bill of sale template? No, Wisconsin doesn’t provide a bill of sale template that the parties can use when buying or selling vehicles.
Is notarization required? No, notarization is not required for the Wisconsin vehicle bill of sale document.
Where and How to Register Your Vehicle in Wisconsin
To register a vehicle in Wisconsin, you must submit your application and supporting documents to the local Wisconsin Department of Transportation office. The whole process can also be done online through the eMV Public service.
Note that if you buy a new vehicle from the dealership, the dealership is going to handle the titling and registration procedures on behalf of the buyer. However, for private sales, it is the buyer’s obligation to title and register the vehicle themselves.
Required Documents
When applying for vehicle registration in Wisconsin, you should submit the following:
Vehicle Registration Mandatory Documents
Valid driver’s license or other photo ID
Title and License Plate Application (Form MV1) (unless applying online)
The Certificate of Title signed by the previous owner of the vehicle
Bill of Sale
Proof of insurance with the minimum coverage
A lien release (if the vehicle is subject to a lien)
Proof of payment of all fees and taxes (registration fee, local sales tax, title fee, fuel surcharge for electric or hybrid vehicles)
Wisconsin Vehicle Bill of Sale FAQ
1. To draft the bill of sale for a car in Wisconsin, you should enter the following information:
Full names and mailing addresses of the seller and buyer
Vehicle description (vehicle’s make, model, year of production, vehicle identification number, color, and odometer reading)
Purchase price and method of payment
Date of sale and signatures of the parties
No, you don’t need a bill of sale to register a car in Wisconsin. However, it is always recommended to draft and sign when transferring vehicle ownership, as it can serve as additional proof of ownership.
No, you can’t register a car with a bill of sale and no title in Wisconsin. The certificate of title is the only official proof of ownership recognized by the registration authorities.
No, you don’t need to notarize a bill of sale for a car in Wisconsin, as the bill of sale doesn’t transfer any legal rights between the parties.