Translation guide
A document that records the transfer of ownership of goods from a seller to a buyer. In Japanese, the term depends on the context—whether it's for a vehicle, real estate, general goods, or a simple receipt.
I prepared a bill of sale for the used car.
A transfer certificate. Used when ownership is transferred, sometimes without a sale (e.g., gifts). Common for vehicles.
I got a bill of sale (transfer certificate) for the motorcycle.
A less common term for a document certifying sale and delivery. May be used in some business contexts.
Please sign the bill of sale.
A simple receipt that serves as a bill of sale for everyday purchases.
A standard receipt. In many casual transactions, this functions as the bill of sale, especially if it includes seller/buyer details and item description.
The receipt will serve as a bill of sale.
A cash register receipt. Less formal, but can act as proof of purchase for small items.
Specifically for cars, motorcycles, or other vehicles. Often required for registration.
For land or buildings. Note: In Japan, real estate transactions use a different set of documents.
The real estate purchase agreement. This is the primary document, often accompanied by a separate deed.
We exchanged the real estate bill of sale (purchase agreement).
The old-style registration certificate (now replaced by registration identification). Historically served as proof of ownership, similar to a deed.
There is no single Japanese word that perfectly matches 'bill of sale' in all contexts. The appropriate term depends on what is being sold and the formality of the transaction. Using 領収書 for a car sale would be insufficient; using 売買契約書 for a small flea market purchase would be overly formal.
When selling a car privately, you typically need a 譲渡証明書, a 印鑑証明書 (seal certificate), and the 車検証 (vehicle inspection certificate). The combination serves the function of a bill of sale.
このレシートを保管しておいてください。
Please keep this receipt (as your bill of sale).
You need a bill of sale (transfer certificate) for the title change.
The registration certificate is also called a title deed.