What Makes a Bill of Sale in Wyoming Valid?

If interested in selling a used car, a jet ski, lawnmower, a snowmobile, a boat, jewelry, furniture, or even a horse in the state of Wyoming, the first thing you should do is to get a bill of sale. While acting as the proof of purchase to the buyer, the bill of sale acts as your proof of sale. We say 'yours' because a seller prepares a bill of sale (BOS). If this is your first time hearing about this, you may want to know that that the BOS refers to the document used to recognize the sale of personal property between private individuals, as well as the subsequent ownership of the property to the buyer.

While some buyers don't see the need for the document especially when buying smaller items, this document is invaluable to the buyer and the seller. Just think about for a second: wouldn't you say that having proof of sale feels good if you requested to explain why a vehicle registered in your name but now sold to someone else appears abandoned? While you can prepare this document at home, it holds immense power. And if the buyer brings up inaccurate information and a conflict ensues, you can use this document as proof.

So, even if you trust the buyer and you are certain they will not turn their backs, having copies of this document tucked away somewhere will protect you.

But, What Makes The BOS Valid?

It should be in the correct format acceptable in the state of Wyoming. What this means is that even though you can write down at home, you should have some reference pointers. We recommend getting a free Wyoming bill of sale form.

The next thing you should do is to confirm that you have the right form for that item. We look at the details of this below.

Now that you have the right form, you need to ensure that you enter all the necessary information correctly. This means that you should know what needs to be in there and what shouldn't. Among these details, you have the date that you create the BOS, the purchase price as agreed between the parties, the terms of the trade (if applicable), the item's description, the name and addresses of the parties, the seller's disclosure, date of the payment, and the dated signatures of the buyer and the seller. Notarization could be necessary in some cases.

Types of BOS

As mentioned above, the correct free BOS in Wyoming is critical.

Here, we introduce to the leading types of BOS in Wyoming

BOS for Boats

If you are selling a boat or a vessel, then you should find a BOS for boats or watercraft. This BOS refers to the document used to legally transfer the ownership for a water vessel from a seller to a buyer in exchange for money. It takes place between private individuals, and the court recognizes the power of the document, as long as it has signatures of the seller and the buyer.

In some cases, you may need to get the acknowledgment of notarization from your notary public for the court to uphold the powers of the document. The notary's acknowledgment also counts when the buyer wants to use the BOS as proof of purchase during the process of registration and titling.

To be valid, enter the date you create this BOS, the purchase consideration for the boat, the name of the seller and the buyer, and the date that the seller receives full payment for the BOS.

The other important information for the boat will include the boat's style, year, make, color, title number, Hull ID, odometer reading, and the features of the boat like the presence of a twin-engine, sink, or shower. You also need to indicate the hull's construction material.

If the sale includes the trailer and the outboard motor, note down the details. The length, color, make and year for the trailer, and the horsepower, make, and year for the engine.

Finally, the seller(s) and the buyer(s) should sign and date the BOS at the notary public.

The BOS for Motor Vehicles

As per the requirements of the DMV, you may need the BOS to register the vehicle purchased and also to obtain the title for the vehicle. In Wyoming, you have to get a BOS to record the transfer of ownership for the vehicle to the seller, as long as you are buying the car from an individual and not from the dealership.

Before you sign the BOS or hand it over for your vehicle's registration, you should check with the treasurer's office in your county to know if they need the BOS and if you have to notarize it.

The state of Wyoming has its vehicle services devolved to the counties, and every county handles vehicular matters separately and independently.

Once you have confirmation from the county offices, proceed to create the BOS.

It should have the date you create the BOS, the purchase price, the vehicle's identification number, year, make, model, and the color.

Enter the name of the buyer and the seller and both parties to date and sign the document after the date that the buyer pays for the car.

While Notarization is Optional, We Highly Recommend It.

BOS for Selling Guns

Other than the seller's and the buyer's name and addresses, the purchase price (written in words first then in numbers), information on the trade (if any), the date of payment, and other terms of trade, describe the gun. Under the description, enter the gun's serial number, make, model, year, and the caliber. If you are trading guns with the seller, put down similar details for the traded gun. Finally, sign the BOS. You don't have to notarize it.

Which BOS do you need? Get the relevant BOS from our database of bill of sale forms in Wyoming.