Tennessee car — quick answer
In Tennessee, a car bill of sale is situational and notarization of the title transfer is situational. Titling and registration are handled by the Tennessee DOR.
Is a car bill of sale required in Tennessee?
Situational. For casual sales a notarized bill of sale is commonly required in addition to the properly endorsed title — but a bill of sale alone is not sufficient proof of ownership.
Seller assigns the title; the buyer titles and registers at the County Clerk.
Does a Tennessee car bill of sale need to be notarized?
Situational (situational). A notarized bill of sale is referenced for casual sales but does not replace the endorsed title. Treat notarization as conditional.
What to include on a Tennessee car bill of sale
- Buyer and seller full legal names and addresses
- Year, make, model, and color of the car
- 17-character VIN
- Odometer reading at the time of sale
- Agreed price and how it was paid
- Date and both signatures
How to transfer a car in Tennessee
- 1Complete the bill of sale and title assignment.
Record the buyer, seller, price, odometer, and date. Both parties sign and date.
- 2Hand over the signed title.
Seller assigns the title; the buyer titles and registers at the County Clerk.
- 3Register with the Tennessee DOR.
The buyer titles and registers the car. Confirm current fees on the official page.
Odometer disclosure
Federal law requires a written odometer disclosure when title is transferred for vehicles less than 20 years old. As of 2026 that means model year 2011 and newer; model year 2010 and older are generally exempt. Record the exact mileage — never round it. See the NHTSA rule.
Official sources
Requirements change and can vary by county. Confirm with the Tennessee DOR before you sign. Not legal advice.
Tennessee Car Bill of Sale — FAQ
Is a car bill of sale required in Tennessee?
A bill of sale is situational in Tennessee. For casual sales a notarized bill of sale is commonly required in addition to the properly endorsed title — but a bill of sale alone is not sufficient proof of ownership.
Does a Tennessee car bill of sale need to be notarized?
Sometimes. A notarized bill of sale is referenced for casual sales but does not replace the endorsed title. Treat notarization as conditional.
How do I write a bill of sale for a car?
List the buyer and seller, describe the car (year, make, model, VIN, color), record the odometer and the price, add the date, and have both parties sign. Our generator builds all of this for you and checks for missing details.
Can I sell a car without a bill of sale?
In some states you can transfer with just the signed title, but a bill of sale is strongly recommended everywhere because it documents the price, the mileage, and the date you stopped being responsible for the car.
Is a bill of sale proof of ownership?
Generally no. For titled property like a car or boat, the title is what proves ownership. A bill of sale proves that a sale happened and records the price, date, and terms — it supports the title transfer but does not replace it. For untitled property (furniture, equipment, electronics), the signed bill of sale is usually the main proof of ownership.