Missouri Bill of Sale

What Missouri requires for a vehicle sale

• Sellers other than Missouri licensed dealers must report the sale within 30 days using Form 5049 (Notice of Sale) or Form 1957 (Bill of Sale).
• The seller prints their name and signs the back of the title; signatures do not need to be notarized.
• The seller writes in the odometer reading and sale date. Correction fluid and erasures are not allowed.
• Odometer disclosure is not required for vehicles model year 2010 or older and at least ten years old at transfer.
• The buyer has 30 days from purchase to title and pay sales tax. A $25 title penalty starts on day 31 and grows $25 per 30 days, up to $200.
• State sales tax is 4.225 percent plus local tax on the price, less any trade-in allowance.
• Sellers must remove their license plates before the buyer takes possession.

Missouri bill of sale: what to include

Whatever Missouri 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 Missouri.

Seller checklist (Missouri)

• Sign and print your name on the back of the title exactly as on the front; all listed sellers must sign.
• Write in the odometer reading and date of sale without erasures.
• Provide a safety inspection under 60 days old and, in St. Louis City or Jefferson, St. Charles or St. Louis County, an emissions inspection under 60 days old.
• Remove your plates before the buyer takes possession.
• Submit Form 5049 or Form 1957 to the Department within 30 days.

Buyer checklist (Missouri)

• Get the properly assigned title (or another listed ownership document such as Form 1957).
• Title the vehicle and pay sales tax within 30 days of purchase.
• Bring proof of insurance and any required inspections.
• Plan for the 4.225 percent state tax plus local tax, plus title and registration fees.

Things to watch in Missouri

• The page we read does not say a bill of sale is required for every sale; it lists Form 1957 as one option for reporting the sale.
• The title instructions page does not address notarization of a bill of sale or deadlines beyond the sale date penalty note.

About this page

We checked this page against the Missouri DOR 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 Missouri DOR before you sign. This is general information, not legal advice.