What is a New Mexico Bill of Sale?
A New Mexico Bill of Sale is a legal document that records the transfer of a vehicle, vessel, or other personal property from a seller to a buyer in New Mexico. It captures the agreed sale price, identifies the item being sold, and includes the signatures of both parties.
The official form is MVD Form 10009, issued by the New Mexico Motor Vehicle Division. A bill of sale is required when the assignment section on the Certificate of Title is incomplete or when reassignment fields have been used up. New Mexico uses a Plate-to-Owner system: the seller must remove their license plate before delivering the vehicle. The buyer must title and register the vehicle within 30 days of purchase to avoid late transfer penalties.
What is a New Mexico Bill of Sale used for?
A New Mexico bill of sale is used to formally document the transfer of personal property and protect both parties in a private sale. Specifically, it is used to:
- Document the transfer of personal property (vehicle, boat, firearm, equipment, or other items) from seller to buyer
- Establish the agreed purchase price on record — New Mexico MVD uses this to calculate applicable sales tax, use tax, or registration fees when the buyer applies for a new title
- Protect the seller from future liability related to the property after the sale date
- Give the buyer proof of ownership pending receipt of a new title
- Serve as evidence in any dispute about the terms, price, or condition of the item at the time of sale
- Support insurance documentation — the buyer can present the bill of sale to their insurer as proof of acquisition and value
How to write a Bill of Sale in New Mexico
To create a valid New Mexico Bill of Sale, follow these steps:
- 1
Obtain using Form MVD 10009 an official bill of sale form from the New Mexico MVD website, or prepare a document that includes all required information.
- 2
Fill in the full legal names and current addresses of both buyer and seller.
- 3
Enter the vehicle description: year, make, model, color, and VIN.
- 4
Record the odometer reading at the time of the sale.
- 5
Write in the agreed sale price and the date of the transaction.
- 6
Both buyer and seller sign the bill of sale. Each party should keep a signed copy.
- 7
The seller should notify the New Mexico MVD of the sale as required by New Mexico state law.
- 8
The buyer takes the signed bill of sale, the signed title, and other required documents to a New Mexico MVD office to apply for a new title within 30 days of the purchase date.
What information should a New Mexico Bill of Sale include?
A New Mexico Bill of Sale should include the following information:
- Full legal names and current addresses of buyer and seller
- Vehicle description: year, make, model, color, and body type
- Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
- Odometer reading at the time of sale
- Agreed sale price
- Date of the transaction
- Signatures of both buyer and seller
- Optional: payment method (cash, check, etc.), "as-is" clause, or lien release information
Is a Bill of Sale required in New Mexico?
A New Mexico Bill of Sale (Form MVD 10009) is required when the assignment section on the existing Certificate of Title is incomplete, or when all reassignment fields have been used up. In those situations, both parties must complete the bill of sale form and the buyer must bring it to a local MVD field office along with the title and other required documents.
If the title assignment is fully and correctly completed, a separate bill of sale may not be required. However, the buyer must still title and register the vehicle within 30 days of purchase to avoid penalties. New Mexico's Plate-to-Owner system also requires the seller to remove their license plate before handing over the vehicle.
Does a New Mexico Bill of Sale need to be notarized?
No. New Mexico does not require notarization for a standard vehicle Bill of Sale (Form MVD 10009). Both parties simply sign the document.
Notarization is required for certain specific documents in New Mexico, including: an Affidavit of Gift of Motor Vehicle or Boat, powers of attorney submitted to the MVD, and certain lien releases on company letterhead. For a standard private-party vehicle sale using Form MVD 10009, no notary is needed.
How long is a New Mexico Bill of Sale valid?
A New Mexico Bill of Sale does not expire. Once signed by both parties, it is a permanent legal record of the property transfer and remains valid indefinitely.
For vehicle title purposes, the bill of sale is most relevant while the new title is being processed. Once the buyer receives a new title from the New Mexico MVD, the bill of sale continues to serve as documentation of the original transaction — including the agreed sale price, the date of sale, and the condition of the vehicle at time of transfer.
Where can I get a blank New Mexico Bill of Sale?
The official New Mexico Bill of Sale form (Form MVD 10009) is available free of charge from the New Mexico MVD website or at any New Mexico MVD office.
You can also use PDF Guru to fill out your New Mexico Bill of Sale online. Our editor lets you complete all required fields, add your electronic signature, and download the finished document as a PDF — no printing or scanning required.
How to sign a New Mexico Bill of Sale online
PDF Guru makes it easy to sign your New Mexico Bill of Sale online without printing or scanning. Once you have completed all required fields in the form, use the Sign tool in the editor. You can draw your signature with a mouse or trackpad, type your name, or upload a saved signature image. Position the signature in the designated field for the seller — if both parties are signing digitally, the buyer can do the same before the final download.
When your signatures are in place, click Done to download the completed PDF to your device. Electronic signatures are generally accepted for private-party bill of sale transactions in New Mexico. If you plan to submit the bill of sale to the New Mexico MVD as part of a title transfer, confirm in advance whether an original ink signature is required.



