When selling personal property in execution the sheriff shall, upon request of the purchaser, execute and deliver to the purchaser a sheriff’s bill of sale setting forth the caption of the case and a description of the property. When selling secu- rities or documents of title, the sheriff shall, upon request, endorse said document in the name of the defendant as follows: ‘‘Defendant (Name of Defendant) by , Sheriff of County, pursuant to execution upon a judgment against the above named in the Court of County, at Case Number .’’
Rule 3134.Transfer of personal property to purchaser.
Adopted March 30, 1960 · Last amended April 20, 1998 · Last verified June 30, 2026
In one sentenceOn the purchaser’s request, the sheriff selling personal property executes a bill of sale describing the property, and for securities or documents of title the sheriff endorses them in the defendant’s name.
Full Text of Rule 3134
Plain-English Summary
A buyer at an execution sale needs proof of title. This rule supplies it.
When selling personal property, the sheriff, on request, executes and delivers a bill of sale with the case caption and a description of the property. When selling securities or documents of title, the sheriff endorses the instrument in the name of the defendant, using the form the rule sets out, so the transfer is recognized.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does a buyer prove title to property bought at a sheriff’s sale?
The sheriff, on request, executes a bill of sale describing the property; for securities or documents of title the sheriff endorses them in the defendant’s name.
Does the buyer have to ask for the bill of sale?
Yes. The sheriff delivers it upon request of the purchaser.
Official Note
Official Note: Sections 1114 and 1116 of the Vehicle Code, 75 Pa.C.S. §§ 1114, 1116, relating to transfer of vehicle by operation of law and prescribing the procedure, remain unsus- pended by these rules.
Amendment History
The provisions of this Rule 3134 adopted March 30, 1960, effective November 1, 1960; amended April 18, 1975, effective immediately; amended April 20, 1998, effective July 1, 1998, 28 Pa.B. 2026. Immediately preceding text appears at serial page (213418).
Source & verification. Rule text, the Official Note, and the amendment
history are reproduced verbatim from the Pennsylvania Code, Title 231, the official compilation
of rules adopted by the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania. Last verified June 30, 2026. ·
Official text
Also known as: bill of saletransfer to purchaserendorse securities