Free Rhode Island Bill of Sale Forms

In Rhode Island, a Bill of Sale is used to document the exchange of ownership of personal property you wish to buy or sell. It protects both you and the other party involved by providing you with a written record of the transaction.

Typical types of transactions that require a Bill of Sale include:

• Motor vehicles
• Boats and watercraft
• Firearms

The form should include full contact details for both parties, a description of the item (such as make, model, serial number, etc.), the purchase date, the agreed-upon price, and the signatures of both the buyer and seller.

RI Bill of Sale Sample

You may use our Rhode Island Bill of Sale example as a guide to acquaint yourself with the structure and content of the document.

To register a vehicle in Rhode Island, if you are planning to purchase a car from another party, you must follow state laws regarding registration (§31-3-12) and provide the following documents to the Rhode Island Division of Motor Vehicles:

• Motor vehicle bill of sale
• Title of the vehicle signed over the buyer
• Application for Registration and Title Certificate (Form TR-1)
• Proof of insurance in Rhode Island
• VIN inspection (if the vehicle was previously titled in another state)
• Payment of the sales tax

In Rhode Island, the buyer must register the vehicle within 30 days of purchase to avoid penalties. New residents also have 30 days to register an out-of-state vehicle.

Boat registration in Rhode Island is managed by the Department of Environmental Management and governed by the state’s General Laws (§46-22-5). You must register your boat if it is:

• A motorized vessel (regardless of size)
• A sailboat 12 feet or longer

If the boat involved in your transaction is not motorized and is under 12 feet in length, it does not require registration.

To register your boat, you must provide:

• Completed Boat Bill of Sale
• Application for boat registration and title
• Title or manufacturer’s certificate of origin
• Previous registration (for used boats)
• Proof of sales tax payment or exemption
• Payment of registration fees (based on vessel length and type)

Although Rhode Island does not require the registration of firearms, it is a good idea to use a gun Bill of Sale when transferring a firearm through a private sale. By using this document, you can:

• Establish proof of change of ownership
• Document the date of purchase and the parties involved
• Protect both parties legally if the firearm is lost, stolen, or misused

All private firearm sales in Rhode Island must comply with state law, especially when it comes to the sale of rifles and shotguns (§11-47-35.2), including:

• A mandatory 7-day waiting period
• A background check performed by a licensed dealer or local police

It is vital that you review all state laws before selling or purchasing a firearm.