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A Montana Bill of Sale (BOS) can legally document the transfer of ownership of personal property between two parties. It protects both the buyer and seller and can be required for the sale and registration of various types of assets, such as vehicles, boats, and firearms.
Last Update February 4th, 2026
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A Montana Bill of Sale is a legal document that verifies the sale or transfer of an item from one person (the seller) to another (the buyer).
It acts as a receipt, confirming the transaction and outlining the key details, such as the date, item description, and purchase price.
Having a Bill of Sale can help you prevent legal disputes, by protecting you from future liability if you are the seller, and providing you with proof of ownership if you are the buyer.
In Montana, there are different types of BOS documents. Each one serves a specific type of transaction. It’s important to use the correct one for your transaction.
A Montana General Bill of Sale can be used to document the sale of non-regulated items, such as:
It’s a simple document that outlines the basic terms of the transaction, including the item’s description, the price, and the signatures of both parties.
While not required for all types of sales, having a General Bill of Sale is a good way to document the transaction when selling or buying any item that isn’t a vehicle or firearm.
Before you begin drafting your own Montana BOS, it can be helpful to look at an example of the document. Below is our sample Montana Bill of Sale template:
A Montana Vehicle Bill of Sale is used when you take part in a transaction of a motor vehicle. It provides legal proof of the transaction and is often necessary to transfer the vehicle’s title to the new owner.
This document should include details such as the:
Both parties should retain copies for their records, and the buyer will need it to register the vehicle.
Once the vehicle has been sold, the new owner has 60 days to register it with the Montana Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). Here’s a quick guide to the registration process if you buy a vehicle in Montana:
When buying or selling a boat in Montana, a Boat Bill of Sale is required. This document must include details about the boat, including:
For boats with motors, additional information such as the motor's horsepower may be needed. Like vehicles, boat sales require a title transfer to complete the transaction officially.
Montana law requires all motorized boats, sailboats longer than 12 feet, and personal watercraft to be registered with the state. If you are the new owner, you have 60 days from the purchase date to complete the registration. Here’s what’s required:
Although Montana law does not require firearm transactions to be registered, using a Bill of Sale is recommended.
This document provides proof of the sale and serves as a record in case of any future legal disputes or issues related to the firearm’s ownership.
A Montana Firearm Bill of Sale should include the names and addresses of both parties, and the following firearm details:
The registration of firearms is prohibited in Montana(Section 11. Section 45-8-351).
However, you must comply with all federal gun laws, especially if you plan to carry the weapon in a concealed manner.
If you still have any queries about Montana Bills of Sale, here are the answers to some of the most commonly asked questions.
A Bill of Sale is usually required to sell a car in Montana. The Bill of Sale acts as proof of the transaction and is necessary for the buyer to transfer the vehicle’s title and register it with the DMV. The seller should also keep a copy for their records in case any future issues arise.
Yes, a Montana Bill of Sale can be handwritten, but it must include all the legally required information to be valid. This includes the names of both parties, a description of the item, the sale price, and the signatures of both the buyer and seller.
Using a pre-made form is recommended to make sure you don't miss any critical details. You can use our sample Montana Bill of Sale as a reliable foundation for your document.
Once you complete it, have your document reviewed by a legal professional to make sure it is ready to be used.
You do not always need to notarize a Bill of Sale in Montana. But, it may be necessary for certain types of transactions, such as those involving boats or trailers.
A notarized BOS is required if the title does not include the purchase date or price.
It’s a good idea to check with the Montana DMV or other relevant authorities to confirm whether notarization is required for your specific transaction.
