Kansas Vehicle Bill of Sale
Kansas Form TR-312 transfers ownership only for antique vehicles 35+ years; others transfer by assigned title.
Introduction
A Kansas vehicle bill of sale records a private car, truck, motorcycle, or trailer sale, the parties, the vehicle, the price, the odometer reading, and the as-is terms. Kansas publishes an official form for this, Form TR-312 "Bill of Sale," issued by the Kansas Department of Revenue. The important Kansas detail is how that form is used. A standalone bill of sale can transfer ownership ONLY for antique vehicles, meaning vehicles 35 years old or older. For every other vehicle, ownership transfers by the assigned certificate of title, and a bill of sale (page 2 of Form TR-12) is required only when the title has no space to record the purchase price. So in Kansas the bill of sale is the transfer instrument for antiques but conditional supporting paper for ordinary vehicles. Notarization is not required for the bill of sale or a standard in-state title assignment; check the county treasurer if a lien is involved, since lien documents are the exception. The seller discloses the odometer reading on the back of the title at assignment. The buyer applies for title and registration at the COUNTY TREASURER's office where the vehicle is garaged, within 60 days of purchase to avoid penalty under K.S.A. 8-135, and pays sales or use tax on the purchase price. DocDraft drafts a Kansas vehicle bill of sale from your facts, with attorney review available.
Key Things to Know
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Kansas publishes an official form, Form TR-312 "Bill of Sale," issued by the Kansas Department of Revenue. Its standalone use to transfer ownership is restricted: only antique vehicles, meaning those 35 years old or older, can have ownership transferred by bill of sale. You can check the county treasurer to confirm the current form requirements for your situation.
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A Kansas vehicle bill of sale does not need to be notarized, and the Division of Vehicles does not require most title assignments, title applications, and bills of sale completed within Kansas to be notarized. Notarization applies only to lien-related documents, such as a lien release or lienholder consent. Check the county treasurer if your transfer involves a lien.
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The seller discloses the odometer reading on the back of the title at assignment, along with the purchase price, date of sale, and the printed names and signatures of buyer and seller. For electronic-title situations, Form TR-40 power-of-attorney captures the purchase price and odometer disclosure. The federal odometer disclosure baseline under 49 CFR 580 applies.
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Kansas sales or use tax is due on the purchase price for a private, non-dealer sale, so the price you state on the bill of sale or title drives what is owed. The buyer pays the tax when applying for title and registration. Check the county treasurer for the current tax rate that applies in the county where the vehicle is garaged.
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You apply for the certificate of title and registration at the county treasurer's office in the county where the vehicle is garaged, not at a central state office. The transfer must be completed within 60 days of purchase under K.S.A. 8-135 to avoid penalty.
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A bill of sale is the transfer instrument only for antique vehicles 35 years or older. For an ordinary vehicle, the assigned certificate of title transfers ownership, and a bill of sale on page 2 of Form TR-12 is required only if the title assignment has no space to record the purchase price.
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The standout Kansas detail is the antique-only carve-out paired with the county-treasurer titling office. A standalone bill of sale conveys ownership only for vehicles 35 years or older; all other vehicles transfer by assigned title, applied for at the county treasurer within 60 days under K.S.A. 8-135.
Key decisions before you file
Before you file a Bill of Sale in Kansas, a few decisions shape the document: which option to choose and what each one means. The Bill of Sale guide walks through them.
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Kansas Requirements for Bill of Sale
The Kansas Department of Revenue publishes Form TR-312 "Bill of Sale." Its standalone use to transfer ownership is restricted to antique vehicles 35 years old or older. For ordinary vehicles, the assigned certificate of title transfers ownership, and a bill of sale on page 2 of Form TR-12 is required only when the title has no space to record the purchase price. Check the county treasurer to confirm the current form for your situation.
The Kansas Division of Vehicles does not require most title assignments, title applications, and bills of sale completed within Kansas to be notarized. Notarization applies only to lien-related documents, such as a lien release or lienholder consent. Buyer and seller signatures are sufficient for a standard sale. Check the county treasurer if your transfer involves a lien.
Identify the vehicle by VIN, year, make, model, body style, and color, and identify the seller and buyer by name and address, with the sale price and the date of sale. The purchase price, date of sale, and printed names and signatures are recorded on the back of the title at assignment.
The seller discloses the odometer reading on the back of the title at assignment, along with the purchase price and date of sale. For electronic-title situations, Form TR-40 power-of-attorney captures the purchase price and odometer disclosure. The federal odometer disclosure baseline under 49 CFR 580 applies.
Kansas assesses sales or use tax on the purchase price for a private, non-dealer sale, so the price stated on the bill of sale or title drives what is owed. The buyer pays the tax when applying for title and registration. The combined rate depends on the county and city where the vehicle is garaged, so check the county treasurer for the current rate.
A standalone bill of sale is the transfer instrument only for antique vehicles 35 years old or older. For every other vehicle, the assigned certificate of title transfers ownership, and a bill of sale (page 2 of Form TR-12) is required only when the title assignment has no space to record the purchase price.
Apply for the certificate of title and registration at the county treasurer's office in the county where the vehicle is garaged, not at a central state office. The buyer brings the assigned title and sale documentation, pays sales or use tax on the purchase price, and pays applicable fees.
The transfer must be completed within 60 days of purchase under K.S.A. 8-135 to avoid penalty. The transferor delivers the assigned title to the buyer at delivery of the vehicle or at a time agreed by the parties, not to exceed 60 days, inclusive of weekends and holidays. Check the county treasurer for current titling deadlines and any penalty.
Frequently Asked Questions
It depends on the vehicle. For an antique vehicle 35 years old or older, a standalone bill of sale (Form TR-312) is what transfers ownership in Kansas. For every other vehicle, the assigned certificate of title transfers ownership, and a bill of sale on page 2 of Form TR-12 is required only when the title assignment has no space to record the purchase price. The buyer then applies for title at the county treasurer within 60 days of purchase.
No. The Kansas Division of Vehicles does not require most title assignments, title applications, and bills of sale completed within Kansas to be notarized. Notarization applies only to lien-related documents, such as a lien release or lienholder consent. A signed bill of sale that identifies the vehicle, the price, the odometer reading, and both parties is sufficient for a standard private sale. Check the county treasurer if your transfer involves a lien.
Yes. The Kansas Department of Revenue publishes Form TR-312 "Bill of Sale." Its standalone use to transfer ownership is restricted to antique vehicles 35 years old or older. For ordinary vehicles, the assigned certificate of title transfers ownership, and a bill of sale on page 2 of Form TR-12 is required only when the title has no space to record the purchase price. You can check the county treasurer to confirm the form your situation needs.
Kansas charges sales or use tax on the purchase price of a vehicle for a private, non-dealer sale, so the price stated on the bill of sale or title drives what is owed. The buyer pays the tax when applying for title and registration at the county treasurer. The combined rate depends on the county and city where the vehicle is garaged, so check the county treasurer for the current rate that applies to you.
You apply for the certificate of title and registration at the county treasurer's office in the county where the vehicle is garaged, not at a central state office. The buyer has 60 days from the date of purchase to complete the transfer under K.S.A. 8-135 to avoid penalty. You bring the assigned title and sale documentation, pay sales or use tax on the purchase price, and pay any applicable fees.
A Kansas vehicle bill of sale, such as Form TR-312, should identify the seller and buyer, describe the vehicle by VIN, year, make, model, body, and color, state the sale price, record the odometer reading and date of sale, state that the vehicle is sold as-is unless a warranty is given, and include both signatures. Notarization is not required. Keep it with the assigned title when you apply for title at the county treasurer within 60 days.