Free Maine Trailer Bill of Sale Form (BMV 2026 PDF)

Q: Do utility trailers have titles in Maine?

Only if their unladen (empty) weight exceeds 3,000 pounds and they are model year 1995 or newer. Under 29-A M.R.S. § 652, all trailers with an unladen empty weight of 3,000 pounds or less are permanently title-exempt in Maine. For these lightweight trailers, this Bill of Sale serves as the primary legal document of ownership alongside any previous registration.

Q: How do you register a utility trailer in Maine without a title?

To register a title-exempt trailer (empty weight 3,000 lbs or less), present this signed Bill of Sale and the previous owner's Maine registration (if available) to your municipal Town Office or City Hall. You will pay the municipal excise tax and state registration fees to receive your license plate and registration certificate.

Q: Where is the excise tax paid for a trailer in Maine?

Under 36 M.R.S. § 1482, motor vehicle and trailer excise tax is an annual local property tax paid directly to the buyer's municipal Town Office or City Hall prior to obtaining a state registration certificate from the Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV).

Q: Do trailer license plates stay with the trailer in Maine?

No. Under Maine law (29-A M.R.S. § 451), trailer registration plates remain the personal property of the seller and must be removed prior to transfer. The seller may transfer the plates and receive credit for any unused excise tax toward another trailer at their Town Office.

Q: What is required to register a homemade trailer in Maine?

To register a homemade trailer in Maine, the applicant must present a notarized Bill of Sale or affidavit of construction, receipts for materials used (axles, frame steel, coupler, lights), an unladen weight certificate (or signed weight affidavit confirming empty weight of 3,000 lbs or less), and pay municipal excise tax at the local Town Office.

FORM SBF-ME-TRL Statutory Year: 2026

29-A M.R.S. §§ 651, 652 & 36 M.R.S. § 1482

STATE OF MAINE STATUTORY BILL OF SALE

Utility, Cargo, Boat, Equipment, Snowmobile & Homemade Trailer Bill of Sale

Compliant with Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) & Municipal Standards

KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS: That the undersigned Seller, for and in consideration of the total sales price set forth herein, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby formally acknowledged, does hereby bargain, sell, grant, transfer, and deliver unto the undersigned Buyer all legal rights, title, equity, and interest in and to the trailer described below, to have and to hold forever.

Section A: Jurisdiction & Municipal Filing Location

State:

Maine County *:

Town/City Office:

Section B: Complete Trailer Identification & Weight Specifications

Year Built *

Make / Builder *

Model Name / #

Trailer Body Type *

Length (ft)

Width (ft)

Axles

Prior ME Plate # (Seller retains plate under 29-A M.R.S. § 451)

Empty / Tare Wt (lbs) * (≤3,000 lbs = Title Exempt)

Carrying Capacity (lbs)

Gross Wt / GVWR (lbs) *

Trailer Identification Number (17-Digit VIN / State Assigned ID) *:

Section C: Identification of Parties (Transferor & Transferee)

1. SELLER (Transferor Information) Physical domicile address

Full Legal Name *

Physical Address (No P.O. Box) *

Town / City *

State

ZIP Code *

Phone Number

ME Driver License #

2. BUYER (Transferee Information) Must match BMV registration

Full Legal Name *

Physical Address (No P.O. Box) *

Town / City *

State

ZIP Code *

Phone Number

Driver License #

Section D: Financial Consideration & Statutory Payment Terms

Total Price (USD) *:

Sale Date *:

Paid by: Cash Cashier's Check Wire Gift/Trade

Statutory "AS-IS" Warranty Disclaimer & Mutual Waiver (11 M.R.S. § 2-316)

SOLD STRICTLY AS-IS, WHERE-IS: Buyer agrees that this trailer is sold in its present "AS-IS, WHERE-IS" condition, WITH ALL FAULTS AND DEFECTS, WHETHER KNOWN OR UNKNOWN. Seller disclaims all express or implied warranties, including warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose, trailer roadworthiness, frame integrity, axle alignment, wheel bearings, coupler safety, suspension, wiring, and braking systems. Seller assumes no responsibility for repairs or structural failures after delivery. Buyer acknowledges having inspected trailer or having waived inspection.

Section E: Authorized Signatures & Certification Under Penalty of False Swearing

I, the Seller, certify under penalty of false swearing under Maine law (17-A M.R.S. § 452) that I am lawful owner with full authority to sell this trailer, free of liens except as noted. I, the Buyer, acknowledge trailer acceptance and receipt of Certificate of Title (or previous registration if empty weight is 3,000 lbs or less / title-exempt).

Seller (Transferor) Signature Must match BMV record

Signature: ✕

Seller Printed Name

Date

Buyer (Transferee) Signature Must match BMV registration

Signature: ✕

Buyer Printed Name

Date

Section F: State of Maine Notary Public Acknowledgment / Jurat Recommended for Municipal Town Office non-titled trailer registration

STATE OF MAINE COUNTY OF:

Before me, the undersigned notary, personally appeared Seller and/or Buyer named above, known or proven through government photo ID to be the person(s) subscribed hereto, and acknowledged executing same for purposes expressed.

Notary Public Signature

MM/DD/YYYY

My Commission Expires

★ Affix Notary Seal / Stamp Here

FORM SBF-ME-TRL (Rev. 2026) • StateBillForms.com Maine 29-A M.R.S. §§ 651, 652 & 36 M.R.S. § 1482 • Keep for Town Excise Records PAGE 1 OF 1

Official Process

Maine BMV 3-Step Trailer Registration & Municipal Excise Guide

Follow Maine statutory requirements to register utility, cargo, equipment, boat, snowmobile, or homemade trailers and properly pay local municipal excise taxes.

Execute Form SBF-ME-TRL

Fill out and sign this Bill of Sale. If the trailer has an unladen weight of 3,000 lbs or less, it is strictly title-exempt under 29-A M.R.S. § 652 and this Bill of Sale serves as primary proof of ownership.

Pay Municipal Excise Tax at Town Office

Under 36 M.R.S. § 1482, the buyer first visits their local municipal Town Office or City Hall to pay trailer excise tax based on age and MSRP, receiving an official excise tax receipt.

Obtain Plates & Pay 5.5% Sales Tax

At a participating Town Office or local Maine BMV branch, submit your excise receipt, Bill of Sale, pay the 5.5% Maine Sales Tax, and pay registration fees ($10.50-$22+) to receive new trailer plates. The seller retains their previous plates under 29-A M.R.S. § 451.

Statutory Summary

Maine Trailer Legal Requirements

Document / Statutory Rule	Governing Statute	Legal Status	Statutory Purpose
3,000 Lb. Titling Threshold	29-A M.R.S. § 652	Statutory Rule	Trailers with empty weight ≤ 3,000 lbs are title-exempt; > 3,000 lbs and 1995/newer require title.
Form SBF-ME-TRL Bill of Sale	29-A M.R.S. § 651	Mandatory	Primary legal document required to prove trailer transfer and calculate 5.5% Maine Sales Tax.
Municipal Trailer Excise Tax	36 M.R.S. § 1482	Mandatory	Annual local property tax paid to buyer's municipal town clerk prior to BMV registration.
License Plate Removal by Seller	29-A M.R.S. § 451	Mandatory	Trailer plates do not transfer; seller removes plates to transfer credit to another trailer.
Homemade Trailer Registration	29-A M.R.S. § 451 et seq.	Conditional	Requires weight slip or affidavit, materials receipts, and notarized Bill of Sale.

FAQs

Maine Trailer Bill of Sale Legal FAQs

Do utility trailers have titles in Maine?

How do you register a utility trailer in Maine without a title?

Where is the excise tax paid for a trailer in Maine?

Do trailer license plates stay with the trailer in Maine?

What is required to register a homemade trailer in Maine?