Firearm Bill of Sale
Selling a gun to another private person? Fill in the seller, the buyer, the firearm with its serial number and the price and get a ready-to-sign firearm bill of sale. Free PDF, no signup.
- Serial number and caliber
- Buyer eligibility statement
- Seller statement
- Free, no subscription
How to fill out a firearm bill of sale
- Copy the firearm's details from the gun itself. Type, manufacturer, model, caliber or gauge and the serial number exactly as marked on the frame or receiver.
- Add the seller and the buyer. Full names and addresses. Many sellers also write down the buyer's driver's license number and check it against the license in person.
- Read the statements, then sign. The buyer confirms age, state residence and that they are not prohibited from having a firearm; the seller confirms ownership. Print two copies, each party keeps one.
Is a bill of sale required for a private gun sale?
Federal law does not require any paperwork for a sale between two private individuals who live in the same state, and in many states no form is required either. A bill of sale is still worth having: it records the serial number, the date and who the firearm went to, which protects the seller if the gun is later misused or reported, and shows the buyer's lawful ownership.
What does federal law say about private sales?
Federal law makes it a crime to sell or give a firearm to anyone you know, or have reasonable cause to believe, is prohibited from possessing one - for example, because of a felony conviction or a domestic violence restraining order. A private seller generally may not transfer a firearm to a resident of another state; an interstate transfer goes through a licensed dealer (FFL) in the buyer's state. Federal law also bars selling a handgun to anyone under 18.
Do some states require a background check?
Yes. A number of states require private sales, or private sales of handguns, to go through a licensed dealer or a background check - California, New York, Washington and Colorado are examples. Others require a permit to purchase, a waiting period or a state form. The rules change, so check your state's current law before the sale. If a dealer transfer is required, use this bill of sale alongside it, not instead of it.
How long should I keep the bill of sale?
Keep your copy as long as the record could matter - many sellers keep it indefinitely. It is your proof of when and to whom the firearm was transferred if a question ever comes up later.
Is it really free?
Yes. No account, no trial and no card: fill in the form and download the PDF. There is no subscription to cancel later. The free PDF carries a small "Made with DittoFox" mark at the bottom of the page.