A Tennessee Vehicle Bill Of Sale: Requirements & How To Write One

in Buying By State
Street in downtown Nashville, Tennessee

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If you want to sell your car or buy a new one, there are several legal papers you must fill out to finish the process. One of the vital documents is the Tennessee vehicle bill of sale. If it’s your first-time hearing about this document, you might wonder - what are the requirements in Tennessee? How do you create one?

If you want to learn more about the vehicle bill of sale in Tennessee, you’re in the right spot. The more you understand about this document, the more confident you will feel whether you are the buyer or seller. Read on to learn more about the requirements for the bill of sale, whether it’s required to register in Tennessee, and other valuable information.

Tennessee Bill of Sale Requirements

There are a few things you should have in your Tennessee bill of sale if you’re creating it yourself. These ensure every valuable detail is inside the paperwork for an accurate receipt.

According to secure.tncountyclerk.com, here are some items you should include in a Tennessee vehicle bill of sale:

  • Buyer’s information: Include their full name, their address, city, state, and zip code.
  • Seller’s information: Include the same information as the buyer: full name, address, city, state, and zip code.
  • Vehicle description: A bill of sale should have a solid vehicle description. Include the date of sale, the make of the car, the model, the year built, and the vehicle identification number.
  • Selling price: Take note of the price you sold the car for in the private transaction.
  • Signatures of buyer and seller: Include the legal signatures of the buyer and seller. Typically, this sign includes the signature and a printed version of each person’s name next to it.

These are the core foundational pieces for the bill of sale.

If you head to the official site of the Tennessee County Clerk, these items will be on the paperwork they provide. If you want to make your document, ensure you have these on there and any other critical information to clarify further information surrounding the sale, such as a clear description of the car.

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Is A Bill of Sale Required to Register a Vehicle in Tennessee?

According to pandadoc.com, a notarized bill of sale is necessary if you want to bring the vehicle to the title agency. There are usually three copies involved in the process - one for the buyer, for the seller, and for the official. 

Technically, a bill of sale isn’t a legal requirement in Tennessee. In most cases, the receipt will remain between the buyer and seller. However, it’s a good idea if you want to be free from liability if an incident arises. It also offers a layer of protection if there is a miscommunication or an instance of fraud.

Does the Bill of Sale Mean Ownership?

A bill of sale in Tennessee doesn’t provide proof of ownership, but it does reveal the transaction occurred from one party to the next. It will declare who sold the car to whom, as well as the state of the machine. 

It’s always practical to have a bill of sale. You never know when an issue could occur - a bill of sale offers a solid alibi and could make the difference between winning and losing a case in court.

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What Are the Benefits of a Bill of Sale in Tennessee?

Technically, a Tennessee vehicle bill of sale isn’t a requirement. However, it’s impossible to ignore the benefits you gain. These provide solid motivation to create a document during the sale.

According to progressive.com, here are some of the best things you’ll find in a Tennessee bill of sale:

  • Release of liability: Sometimes, the new owner of the vehicle will get in a crash and blame the previous owner. The bill of sale will prove you aren’t liable for the vehicle anymore. 
  • Proof of transaction: The bill of sale won’t prove ownership, but it will prove there was a transaction that occurred between two people. 

The creation of a bill of sale is valuable in any commercial transaction. 

Of course, a physical receipt doesn’t come with a private sale of a vehicle. A bill of sale is the next most valuable thing. It’s worth it for the security you will gain, whether you’re acting as the buyer or seller.

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Conclusion

A Tennessee vehicle bill of sale is a valuable item to consider when handing the ownership of a vehicle from one individual to another. It’s an excellent document for everyone in the process, proving the transaction happened.

We hope this information comes in handy! The more you know about this paper, the easier it will be to create and fill out the document for valuable proof of the legal sale of a machine. A vehicle bill of sale in Tennessee is worth your time.

Frequently Asked Questions:

What is a bill of sale?

A bill of sale is a valuable document that works as a private sale recipe, indicating a sale from one party to another. It displays critical information for each party.

Some items in the bill of sale include:

  • Purchase date
  • VIN
  • Car description
  • Amount paid

These provide a foundation of proof for the sale.

It’s vital to note that a bill of sale isn’t proof someone owns a vehicle. However, it proves the transaction happened.

Does Tennessee require a bill of sale?

A bill of sale isn’t a requirement in Tennessee unless getting the machine titled. No matter what, it’s a good idea to create this document for your transaction.

What do I do after getting a Tennessee bill of sale?

Once you have a Tennessee bill of sale, it’s time to participate in a title transfer. This action will remove ownership from the previous owner and pass it on to the next.

The bill of sale only depicts the transfer that occurred. Keep it for your record.

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