Practical examples of personal property bill of sale forms you can actually use

Real-world examples of personal property bill of sale forms

Let’s skip the theory and start with situations you actually recognize. The best examples of personal property bill of sale templates usually fall into a handful of common categories:

• Used electronics and gadgets
• Furniture and household goods
• Recreational gear (bikes, ATVs, boats)
• Animals and livestock
• Collectibles and high‑value personal items
• Business equipment and office assets
• Private party vehicle sales (when you’re not using a DMV form)

Each category uses the same core structure, but the details shift. Below are detailed examples of examples of personal property bill of sale language you can adapt.

Example of a bill of sale for used electronics (laptop)

Imagine you’re selling a 2022 MacBook Pro to a stranger from an online marketplace. You want written proof of the sale and a clear as‑is disclaimer.

A simple example of language in a personal property bill of sale for this deal could look like this (trimmed for brevity):

Item Sold: 2022 Apple MacBook Pro 14”, Model A2442, Serial No. XXXXXXXXXXXX, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD, Space Gray.

Purchase Price: $1,100 (one thousand one hundred dollars), paid in full on the date of sale.

Condition / As‑Is Sale: Buyer has inspected the laptop and accepts it in its current condition. Seller makes no warranties, express or implied, including any warranty of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose.

Date and Transfer of Possession: March 15, 2025. Possession and risk of loss transfer to Buyer upon payment.

For electronics, the best examples include:

• Very specific make, model, and serial number
• Clear statement that the buyer inspected the item
• Strong as‑is language to cut off later complaints about battery life, screen issues, or hidden defects

If you’re in a state with implied warranty rules for consumer goods, having this as‑is language in writing becomes even more important. The Federal Trade Commission has guidance on warranties and as‑is sales that is worth a quick read: https://www.consumer.ftc.gov.

Examples of personal property bill of sale for furniture and household goods

Now picture a different scenario: selling a full living room set—sofa, two armchairs, coffee table, and TV stand—to a neighbor.

Here, a strong example of a personal property bill of sale might:

• List each item with a short description
• Use one total price instead of item-by-item pricing
• Clarify that there’s no delivery, just pickup

Sample language:

Items Sold: One (1) three‑seat fabric sofa (gray), two (2) matching armchairs (gray), one (1) wooden coffee table (walnut finish), one (1) wooden TV stand (walnut finish).

Purchase Price: $750 total, paid in cash on April 2, 2025.

Pickup and Risk of Loss: Buyer will pick up all items from Seller’s residence on April 3, 2025. Risk of loss transfers to Buyer when the items are loaded into Buyer’s vehicle.

Condition: Items are used and sold as‑is. Buyer has inspected the items and accepts them in their current condition.

For household goods, the best examples of personal property bill of sale forms stay simple but still specify when risk of damage shifts from seller to buyer.

Examples of examples of personal property bill of sale for recreational gear

Recreational equipment—bicycles, kayaks, ATVs, snowmobiles—often sits in a gray area between casual and regulated sales. Some states treat certain powered equipment more like vehicles.

Take a used mountain bike sale:

Item Sold: Trek Fuel EX 8 mountain bike, 29”, black/orange, Frame No. ABC123456.

Purchase Price: $1,300, paid via bank transfer.

Representations: Seller represents that they are the lawful owner of the bike and that it is free of liens, security interests, or theft reports to the best of Seller’s knowledge.

For higher‑risk items like ATVs or snowmobiles, good real examples of personal property bill of sale language also include:

• VIN or serial number
• Engine size and year
• Explicit statement that the buyer is responsible for registration, taxes, and insurance

In 2024–2025, more states are tightening rules on off‑road vehicles. It’s smart to check your state’s DMV or motor vehicle agency site for any special bill of sale or title requirements. For U.S. state law research, the Library of Congress portal is a solid starting point: https://www.loc.gov/law/help/guide/states.php.

Example of personal property bill of sale for a dog or other animal

Selling or rehoming animals is legally sensitive and, frankly, emotionally loaded. A good example of a personal property bill of sale for a purebred dog or show animal usually includes:

• Microchip number
• Registration numbers (AKC, etc., if applicable)
• Health disclosures and vet records
• Spay/neuter or breeding restrictions if agreed

Sample language for a dog:

Animal Sold: One (1) female Labrador Retriever, color yellow, date of birth June 1, 2023, microchip ID 985112003456789.

Purchase Price: \(1,500, with \)500 deposit paid on May 1, 2025, and $1,000 balance due on pickup (May 15, 2025).

Health and Vaccinations: Seller provides Buyer with copies of veterinary records, including core vaccinations, deworming schedule, and any known medical conditions as of the date of sale.

No Health Guarantee Beyond Records Provided: Seller does not guarantee future health or temperament and makes no veterinary or behavioral warranty.

Because animal sales can raise consumer protection and welfare issues, stronger examples of personal property bill of sale terms also:

• Clarify whether the animal is sold as a pet only or for breeding
• Address return or rehoming options (if any)

For reliable animal-welfare and vet‑care information you can reference in your paperwork or discussions, sites like https://www.avma.org (American Veterinary Medical Association) and https://www.cdc.gov/healthypets are widely trusted.

Best examples for collectibles and high‑value personal items

Collectibles—art, jewelry, watches, sports memorabilia, rare instruments—are where vague bills of sale can turn into expensive disputes. Here, the best examples of examples of personal property bill of sale forms:

• Attach or reference an appraisal or certificate of authenticity
• Avoid over‑promising on authenticity unless you truly know
• Spell out whether any third‑party grading applies

Imagine a signed sports jersey:

Item Sold: Autographed Michael Jordan Chicago Bulls jersey, red, No. 23, with PSA/DNA Certificate of Authenticity No. 1234567 (copy attached as Exhibit A).

Purchase Price: $4,800, paid via cashier’s check.

Authenticity: Seller provides the attached certificate from PSA/DNA but makes no independent warranty of authenticity beyond that third‑party documentation.

Real examples in this space are very document‑heavy. You’ll often see:

• References to specific grading services (e.g., PSA, Beckett, GIA for diamonds)
• Attachments labeled as exhibits
• Limitations of liability based on those third‑party opinions

Examples of personal property bill of sale for business equipment

For small businesses, selling used equipment—printers, point‑of‑sale systems, machinery, tools—is common. A decent example of language here goes beyond a one‑line description.

For a batch of office equipment:

Items Sold: The office equipment listed on Exhibit A, including but not limited to: five (5) standing desks, five (5) ergonomic office chairs, two (2) multi‑function laser printers (HP LaserJet Pro MFP 4101fdw), and one (1) conference room projector (Epson EX5280).

Purchase Price: \(5,000, with \)2,500 due on signing of this Bill of Sale and $2,500 due on or before June 30, 2025.

Security Interest: Until Buyer pays the full Purchase Price, Seller retains a security interest in the items listed in Exhibit A.

Taxes: Buyer is responsible for any applicable sales or use taxes and for reporting the purchase to the appropriate tax authorities.

For business assets, the best examples of personal property bill of sale forms often start to look like mini asset‑purchase agreements. They may reference:

• UCC filings (in the U.S.) for security interests
• Allocation of purchase price among asset classes for tax purposes

If you want to understand how these transactions intersect with the Uniform Commercial Code, Cornell Law School’s Legal Information Institute has a readable overview at https://www.law.cornell.edu/ucc.

Private vehicle and boat sales as personal property

Many U.S. states provide their own bill of sale forms for cars and boats, and you usually should use those. But there are still situations where a separate personal property bill of sale is useful—for example:

• Documenting the sale price and as‑is status in more detail than the DMV form
• Handling a sale in a jurisdiction that doesn’t require a specific state form

A streamlined example of a car‑related personal property bill of sale might include:

Vehicle Sold: 2016 Toyota Camry LE, VIN 4T1BF1FK3GU123456, approximately 92,000 miles, color silver.

Purchase Price: $10,200, paid via bank cashier’s check.

Title and Registration: Seller agrees to sign over the certificate of title to Buyer on the date of sale. Buyer is responsible for registering the vehicle and paying all taxes, title fees, and registration fees.

As‑Is Sale: Vehicle is sold as‑is, with no warranty, except that Seller warrants they have good title and the right to sell.

For boats, swap in the hull identification number, registration number, and trailer details if a trailer is included.

Most state DMVs publish their own examples of bill of sale requirements and sometimes provide downloadable forms. A good federal starting point for state links is the USA.gov state and local government directory: https://www.usa.gov/state-tribal-governments.

Key elements these examples of personal property bill of sale all share

Across all the real examples above—electronics, furniture, animals, collectibles, business gear, and vehicles—you’ll notice the same backbone:

• Parties: Full legal names and contact information for buyer and seller
• Description of property: Enough detail to avoid confusion with any similar item
• Purchase price and payment terms: Total price, payment method, timing, deposits
• Condition and warranties: As‑is language, or any limited warranty you actually intend
• Ownership and liens: A statement that the seller owns the property and has the right to sell it
• Transfer details: Date, time, and when risk of loss passes
• Signatures: Signed and dated by both parties, with printed names

The best examples of examples of personal property bill of sale forms simply tweak this core structure to fit the specific type of property and any special legal rules that apply.

2024–2025 trends affecting personal property bills of sale

A few patterns are shaping how people draft these documents now:

• More online marketplace sales: With platforms like Facebook Marketplace and OfferUp, private sales of personal property are exploding. That means more strangers, higher fraud risk, and more need for written proof.
• Digital payment trails: Many real examples now reference payment apps (Zelle, PayPal, Cash App) or bank transfers. It’s smart to note the method in the bill of sale.
• Increased focus on stolen goods: Law enforcement agencies have been vocal about stolen bikes, electronics, and catalytic converters being fenced online. Strong bills of sale that identify serial numbers and ownership help honest buyers protect themselves.
• Remote transactions: People sometimes agree to deals across state lines and ship property. Modern examples of personal property bill of sale forms often add language on shipping risk, insurance, and who handles customs or duties for international shipments.

If you’re moving high‑value items or crossing borders, you may want to at least read up on consumer protection and contract basics. The Federal Trade Commission’s consumer advice section at https://www.ftc.gov/consumer-advice is a good baseline.

FAQ about examples of personal property bill of sale

What are some common examples of personal property covered by a bill of sale?
Common examples include electronics (phones, laptops, cameras), furniture, bikes and recreational gear, musical instruments, jewelry and watches, collectibles, animals, tools, business equipment, and sometimes vehicles or boats when handled outside a dealer setting.

Do I really need a bill of sale for a small item, like a used phone?
You don’t have to, but it’s smart once the price gets high enough that you’d be annoyed to lose it. For phones and laptops, a short, one‑page example of a bill of sale that lists the device, serial number or IMEI, price, and as‑is language can save headaches if the buyer later claims you misrepresented the condition.

Is a handwritten bill of sale valid?
In many jurisdictions, yes, a handwritten bill of sale can be legally valid if it has the necessary elements: parties, description, price, date, and signatures. The cleaner and more readable it is, the easier it will be to enforce. The examples of personal property bill of sale language above work just as well handwritten as long as they’re legible.

Do I need a notary for a personal property bill of sale?
For most everyday items, no. Some states or lenders may require notarization for vehicles, boats, or large equipment. Even when it’s not required, notarization can add credibility if there’s a dispute. Check your state’s rules through official sources, such as your state court or DMV websites.

Can one bill of sale cover multiple items?
Yes. Many of the best examples of personal property bill of sale forms for business equipment or household goods use an attached list or exhibit. The main document references “the items listed on Exhibit A,” and the exhibit lists each item in detail.

Is a bill of sale the same as a contract?
A bill of sale is usually the written proof that the sale happened, and it often doubles as a simple contract. For bigger or more complex deals (installment payments, warranties, installation, training), you might have a full contract plus a short bill of sale that transfers ownership on closing.

Where can I find official guidance or legal information about bills of sale?
While there’s no single national bill of sale statute in the U.S., you can look at:

• Your state’s statutes or court self‑help pages (via https://www.usa.gov/state-tribal-governments)
• The Uniform Commercial Code explanations at Cornell LII (https://www.law.cornell.edu/ucc)
• Consumer protection resources from the FTC (https://www.ftc.gov/consumer-advice)

These won’t give you fill‑in‑the‑blank templates, but they help you understand the legal backdrop so you can adapt the real examples of examples of personal property bill of sale in this guide to your situation.