Sign a purchase agreement online

What a purchase agreement should contain

A well-written purchase agreement protects both buyer and seller by documenting the agreed terms before money changes hands. Before signing, confirm the document includes:

• >Full legal names and contact details of both buyer and seller.
• >A clear description of the item — for goods or vehicles, include make, model, year, VIN or serial number, and condition.
• >The agreed purchase price and the payment method (cash, bank transfer, etc.).
• >The date of sale and the date of delivery or transfer of possession.
• >An "as-is" statement if the seller is not providing a warranty, or a clear description of any warranty being offered.
• >Any contingencies — for example, the sale being conditional on a vehicle inspection passing.
• >Signatures and dates from both parties.

For private sales: vehicles, equipment, and goods

Private transactions — a used car, furniture, electronics, tools, or equipment — benefit from a written agreement that records the item, price, condition, and both parties' agreement to the terms. Signing the PDF in the browser lets both buyer and seller add signatures and keep matching copies without involving a signing service.

For vehicle sales in particular, the agreement complements the title transfer process. Most states require a bill of sale as part of the title transfer paperwork, and some require it to be notarized — confirm your state's requirements with the DMV before completing the sale.

Is an electronically signed purchase agreement legally valid?

For most goods and private sales, yes. The ESIGN Act and UETA establish that electronic signatures are valid for contracts involving goods, and a purchase agreement or bill of sale for personal property generally qualifies. Both buyer and seller signing a PDF and exchanging it creates an enforceable agreement under these laws.

Exceptions apply in specific situations. Some states require notarization for vehicle bills of sale before the DMV will process the title transfer — Louisiana, Montana, Nebraska, Maryland, New Hampshire, and West Virginia are among those that have had such requirements. Real estate purchase agreements carry their own formality requirements, typically requiring notarization and recording with the county. Confirm the requirements for your specific transaction and jurisdiction before relying solely on an electronic signature.

Vehicle sales: what the purchase agreement covers

For a used vehicle, the purchase agreement (or bill of sale) is separate from the title transfer. The agreement records what was sold, for how much, and that both parties agreed. The title transfer is the separate legal process through which ownership is officially recorded with the state DMV.

Include the vehicle identification number (VIN), odometer reading at time of sale, and whether the vehicle is sold as-is or with any representation about its condition. If the seller has a clean title, note that; if the title is salvage or rebuilt, that should be disclosed and reflected in the agreement. Keep a copy of both the signed agreement and the transferred title.

Real estate purchase agreements: extra considerations

Real estate transactions involve a higher degree of legal formality than most private sales. A purchase agreement for real property is typically a detailed contract prepared by a real estate agent or attorney, and the final deed that transfers ownership must generally be notarized and recorded with the county recorder's office.

Signing a real estate purchase agreement electronically to indicate your intent to proceed is common practice — most state real estate associations and brokerages use electronic signing platforms for this purpose. However, the closing documents and the deed itself will typically require additional formalities. Work with a real estate attorney or title company to ensure all closing requirements are met.

Privacy: keeping financial terms between buyer and seller

Purchase agreements list prices and sometimes payment details. For private sales between individuals, these figures are personal and between the two parties only. Because DocSignHub processes the document locally in your browser and never uploads it, those figures are not stored on a third-party server.

The signed copy passes directly between buyer and seller — no intermediary holds a copy. This is particularly relevant for higher-value transactions where price information is sensitive.

When a witness or notarized signature is required

For most private sales of personal property, no witness or notary is needed. However, certain transactions require extra formality: vehicle sales in states that require a notarized bill of sale, real estate closings, sales of business assets where a notary is part of the legal process, and high-value transactions where the parties want extra authentication.

If your agreement template includes a witness signature block or notarization section, those requirements are real. Arrange for a witness or notary before the transaction is considered complete.