The Wisconsin DMV bill of sale for a motor vehicle, trailer, or boat is a tangible document that can solidify the transfer of a vehicle from the seller to the buyer. It contains pertinent information to the exchange of the vehicle from one owner to the next. It includes the vehicle’s year, make, model, and VIN, as well as the information identifying both buyer and seller. The state of Wisconsin does not require a bill of sale for the transfer of an automobile, although it can be a sound piece of documentation should any problems arise with the vehicle after it has left your possession.

How to Register a Vehicle

The state of Wisconsin mandates that all vehicles must present with valid temporary or permanent plates within two days of the sale of a vehicle. You can obtain your provisional license plate by visiting your closest WisDOT in person, along with the appropriate fees (approximately $8 for application, tags, and service fee). The seller must first inform WisDOT (Wisconsin Department of Transportation) via Seller Notification (Law 342.41)within 30 days of the sale of the vehicle. This can be completed online or can be carried out at the nearest WisDOT location. After submitting seller notification, the buyer must then go to a local WisDOT with the following materials in hand:

• The title for transfer, complete with sellers’ signature, odometer mileage statement (if the vehicle is less than ten years old), buyer’s information, and sale price.
• Lien release if applicable.
• Prepared Wisconsin Title/License Plate Application (MV1)
• All associated fees and taxes

How to Register a Vessel

Any vessel that is mechanically propelled or any sailboat with a length of 12-feet or longer must maintain active registration and title to be utilized upon water located inside the state. Boats deemed as exceptions from this mandate are as follows:

• Vessels with confirmed registration from an outside state or country to be in operation within the state of Wisconsin for a 60-day time period or less.
• Vessels with an authorized Native American tribal organization watercraft registration.
• Emergency lifeboats.
• Vessels held in possession by state or federal governments.

Title obligation is necessary should a vessel’s indicated length measure a total of 16 feet or more. When purchasing a new or used watercraft, keep in mind that registration must be carried out within the 10-day grace period before incurring penalty fees. If your vessel meets the previous specifications and requires registration, with no need to title, the transaction can be carried out online using the Wisconsin Go Wild Page. Initially, you will need to create a new account, select the link to register, and follow the prompts to complete the application. In the case, your vessel requires the application for registration, along with a title, gather the below materials for delivery to your nearest local Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources office or authorized sales agent location:

• A Filled and signed Wisconsin Boat Registration and Titling Application (Form 9400-193).
• Proof of Ownership dependent on your method of purchase such as a manufacturer’s certificate of origin, a reassigned and endorsed title, and/or prior registration from the previous owner.
• Acceptable payment for all taxes and fees (amounts listed on application).

How to Write

Step 1 – Download in Adobe PDF.

Step 2 – Directions – Before filling out the bill of sale form, be sure to read the step-by-step instructions provided in the first segment of the page. Check off the corresponding boxes as you go along to ensure you don’t make an error or miss a stage in the process.

Step 3 – Vehicle Information – Fill in the vehicle’s information within the first two rows of the form:

• Year
• Make
• Model
• Body Type
• Purchase Price
• Vehicle Identification Number

Step 4 – Sale Information – Include the specifics on the sale below the vehicle information:

• Sale Date
• Vehicle Delivery Date

Step 5 – Seller’s Information – Complete the following sections of the form once the sale price has been agreed upon by both parties:

• Seller Name(s) – Include both if multiple owners on the title (first, middle, last, suffix)
• Seller’s Driver License Number(s)
• Street Address
• City
• State
• Zip Code
• Seller’s signature(s)
• Date of Signature(s)

Step 6 – Buyer’s Information – Enter the information for the buyer as well:

• Buyer Name(s) – Make sure this section contains all buyers if more than one (first, middle, last, suffix)
• Buyer’s Driver License Number(s)
• Street Address
• City
• State
• Zip Code
• Buyer’s signature(s)
• Date of Signature(s)