Kentucky Bill of Sale

What Kentucky requires for a vehicle sale

• The seller must sign the back of the title in the presence of a notary.
• The title must be transferred to the new owner within 15 days.
• The buyer takes the signed title, proof of Kentucky insurance dated within 45 days, ID and payment to the county clerk.
• Only the seller can disclose the mileage on the title. A printed title is corrected with Affidavit of Mileage Correction (TC 96-322).
• Bills of sale are required for police impounds, tow companies and repair companies. Tow and repair bills must list year, make and VIN.
• The usage tax is levied at six percent, collected by the county clerk at transfer, based on the selling price in a notarized Affidavit of Total Consideration (Form 71A100 or TC 96-182).

Kentucky bill of sale: what to include

Whatever Kentucky requires, a signed bill of sale protects both sides. It proves the price, the date and that the car was sold as-is. Include:

• Seller's and buyer's full names and addresses
• Year, make, model, color and VIN
• Odometer reading on the day of sale
• Sale price and date of sale
• As-is wording, plus a statement that the seller owns the vehicle and any lien is paid off
• Signatures and dates for both parties

Sample as-is wording

I, the seller, sell the vehicle described above to the buyer for the price shown, as-is, with no warranty, express or implied. The seller confirms they are the owner and that the odometer reading is correct to the best of their knowledge. This sale is made under the laws of Kentucky.

Seller checklist (Kentucky)

• Sign the back of the title in front of a notary, with no white-out.
• Disclose the mileage on the title.
• If selling to an out-of-state resident, tell the County Clerk, return the plate, and file TC96-3 if not transferred within 15 days.
• Remember you may owe property tax if you owned it on January 1.

Buyer checklist (Kentucky)

• Get the signed title from the seller.
• Bring insurance proof, ID and payment to your county clerk.
• Transfer the title within 15 days.
• Pay the 6 percent usage tax; sign the Affidavit of Total Consideration before a notary.

Things to watch in Kentucky

• The pages we read do not set a general bill of sale rule for private sales. Ask the county clerk.
• The pages we read do not say what happens to the seller's plates in an in-state sale. Check with the county clerk.

About this page

We checked this page against the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) and county clerk sources listed below in November 2026. Where an agency page did not say something, we say so and suggest you check with the agency. Rules, forms and fees change, so confirm with Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) and county clerk before you sign. This is general information, not legal advice.