What States Can I Register A Vehicle With Bill Of Sale

A vehicle neb of sale is a legal document that records the sale of a auto, motorcycle, or other vehicle between two parties — a seller and a buyer. In exchange for a certain amount of money, the seller agrees to transfer ownership of the vehicle to the heir-apparent. A vehicle bill of sale serves as an official record that a vehicle was sold on a sure date for a certain price.

Table of Contents

What Is a Vehicle Bill of Sale?
Why Do I Need a Vehicle Bill of Sale?
How to Use a Vehicle Bill of Sale For Buying or Selling a Car
Land DMV Locations and Bill of Sale Forms
Vehicle Neb of Sale Template
Vehicle Bill of Sale Often Asked Questions

What Is a Vehicle Bill of Sale?

A vehicle neb of sale is a legal certificate used to transfer ownership of a motor vehicle from ane person to some other. It proves that a sale took identify. It is required to annals a vehicle at the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).

A Vehicle Bill of Sale is commonly used for a machine and can exist referred to past other names:

Car Bill of Auction
Motorcar Bill of Sale
Auto Neb of Sale
Car Purchase Agreement
Motorcar Contract
Car Purchase Agreement
Vehicle Buy Agreement
DMV Beak of Sale
Car Sale Receipt

What's the Deviation Between a Vehicle Bill of Sale and a Title?

After purchasing a vehicle, there are two primary documents you need to have in your possession, and that's the bill of sale and the title. These documents are similar, merely both are of import in the sales procedure.

A bill of sale proves that a transfer between a seller and a buyer occurred. Information technology would have details of the auction and the vehicle, such as the date, the name of the seller and heir-apparent, the type and color of the vehicle, the selling amount, and the VIN number. The seller is responsible for creating the bill of sale, and nearly states require a bill of auction to register the vehicle.

Obtaining the championship is the last stride in the sales procedure. A title could be considered a complementary document to the bill of sale, as you require a bill of sale to go a title. Merely once you have the document, you volition take legal ownership of the vehicle.

Once the heir-apparent signs the document and the relevant government authorisation processes information technology, they will accept legal proof of ownership. The title transfer volition free the seller from the liabilities of the vehicle.

Why Do I Demand a Vehicle Bill of Sale?

You lot need a bill of auction when buying or selling a vehicle privately to prove that the seller transferred the vehicle to its new owner. A vehicle nib of auction works much like a receipt and is typically required for:

Tax purposes
Vehicle Insurance
DMV registration

A vehicle beak of sale also protects the buyer and seller from future disagreements over the vehicle's condition or ownership. Considering the document describes the vehicle'southward exact condition at the time of sale, the buyer cannot later dispute any damage and need a refund.

Paperwork You Need In A Car Sale

While a vehicle bill of sale can be used for any state vehicle, they are oft used when someone wants to sell a automobile. Hither's the paperwork you need in society to make the sale of a car a smoothen process and fully compliant with state laws.

Bill of Sale

The bill of auction serves as prove that a transfer of ownership took identify between parties. This document sometimes isn't required if you're living in certain states. Simply here's a list of states that do require a bill of sale to bear witness ownership [1] :

Alabama
Arkansas
Connecticut
Hawaii
Idaho
Maine
Rhode Island
Vermont
Washington
Wyoming

Even if a bill of sale isn't a requirement in your country, information technology's always recommended to take the document for your own records.

The Title

This document certifies legal ownership of the vehicle, and then information technology's important to have this in your possession after the auction. If you're the seller of the vehicle, make certain y'all have dealt with all obligations and liabilities attached to the vehicle before yous sell information technology. This includes paying off any outstanding liens or debts or notifying the buyer before the sale. If you accept lost the title, you can apply for a duplicate at your local DMV.

Notice Of Transfer/Release of Liability

A notice of transfer is a document that yous provide for the DMV to officially country that you are no longer the owner of a vehicle. You lot tin can likewise asking and fill in a release of liability course. While a transfer of buying can be achieved with a title, a seller will still have to wait for the buyer to sign the document.

As a seller, you can protect yourself from futurity liabilities by notifying the DMV about the auction. It is not a requirement for yous to notify them, but it's good practise to do then anyway.

Service Records

When selling a vehicle, yous should ever include documentation about its maintenance history. This is specially important if you have told the buyer the vehicle is in good condition. Having proof of this is a positive indicator to the heir-apparent and increases their confidence in the sale.

Owner's Manual

The possessor's manual isn't a legal requirement in a auction, simply it's helpful for the buyer if they ever have issues with the automobile. If yous lost the manual, there are resources online that permit you to become information technology in PDF format.

Warranty Information

You should e'er provide the warranty documentation in a motorcar sale. It should include the date the original possessor purchased the car, the remaining warranty menstruation, and the contact information of the warranty provider.

Ownership a Car 'As Is'

When y'all purchase a automobile, you will probably come up across the term "every bit is" in the description. This is especially the case if information technology'south a private party sale. The term refers to the vehicle's warranty status, and it means the vehicle does not come up with a warranty.

Once the sale has been fabricated, any issues the buyer discovers will no longer exist the seller's responsibility. For example, if the car breaks down before long after the buyer purchases the vehicle, they will have to pay for repairs themselves.

What Is a Private Party Sale of a Machine??

A individual party sale is when a buyer purchases a machine from an individual instead of a dealer. These kinds of sales are typically made with cash and can have some benefits compared to going to a dealership. Private party sales tend to be cheaper and have no dealer fees. However, they are much less regulated than dealerships, which tin can be a drawback.

If yous're interested in a private party sale, make certain you have all the paperwork for ownership a used car from a private seller.

How to Apply a Vehicle Beak of Auction For Buying or Selling a Automobile

If you would like to know how to get a bill of sale for a car, follow these step-by-step instructions for a smooth transaction and to ensure the document is legally valid.

Pace ane – Negotiate the Terms of the Auction

To enter the understanding, both parties need to decide on a payment method and whatever conditions of the sale, such as a warranty or financing. If a warranty is non included, the vehicle is sold "as-is," with the heir-apparent accepting any faults or damage that be at the time of sale.

Pace 2 – Write down the details of both parties

The buyer and seller need to fill out their contact data on the vehicle neb of sale. This includes their names and addresses. The selling price of the vehicle should also exist mentioned.

: An example where to include details of the parties involved in a vehicle nib of sale

Pace 3 – Fill out the vehicle details

In addition, you must fill in the following sections, which can vary past state:

Model
Make
Yr
Price
Torso fashion
Vehicle condition
Whether sales revenue enhancement is included
Warranty data (if applicable)
Payment type
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
Odometer disclosure statement

Vehicle Identification Number (VIN): The VIN is a unique 17 character code used to rails the vehicle'due south registration, and whether information technology was stolen or involved in an blow. Yous can find your car's VIN on the driver'south side windshield or inside the driver's side door. It'due south also written on the vehicle's certificate of title.

Odometer disclosure argument: Federal police force requires that a vehicle's mileage (measured by the vehicle's odometer) is provided and verified past the seller when the vehicle is transferred or sold [ii] . This statement can be part of the vehicle bill of sale or submitted equally an additional document in some states. After filling out the mileage, the seller states whether the mileage is accurate, or if at that place is a discrepancy caused past the odometer.

: An example where to include vehicle information in a vehicle neb of sale

Stride 4 – Get together Related Documents

Before the sale is finalized, y'all need to make certain you have all the machine sale paperwork. The seller should provide the certificate of title (the "pink slip") to the buyer. If the seller doesn't have the document of title, the heir-apparent can request a new one from the DMV. This usually takes 10–14 working days and costs around $20 (depending on the state and vehicle).

It'due south also recommended that the buyer obtain a copy of the seller's photo ID to check that their information is the same across all documents and that they can legally sell the vehicle.

Step 5 – Sign the document to consummate the sale

To consummate the sale, both parties sign, and appointment the vehicle bill of sale and keep a copy for their records.

Finally, the seller gives possession of the vehicle in commutation for the payment and transfers the certificate of title.

: An example where to include signatures in a vehicle nib of sale

What Should Be Included in a Vehicle Bill of Sale?

For a Vehicle Bill of Sale to be valid, y'all must ensure that it has the following parts:

Details of the parties involved in the sale – Information technology should include the following:
- Names
- Addresses
- Signatures
The appointment of the auction
The description of the vehicle – Recollect to keep the description relevant to the sale. For case, if the vehicle is a car, you lot should mention:
- Yr
- Brand and model
- VIN (Vehicle Identification Number)
- Mileage
- License plate number
The selling cost of the vehicle – Y'all should as well land the reduced price if the vehicle is a fractional souvenir. If the vehicle is a souvenir then this should besides exist stated in the bill of sale.
Warranty Information – If the vehicle has a warranty attached to it, mention this in the bill of sale.

Country DMV Locations and Pecker of Auction Forms

Vehicle Bill of Sale Template

Download an example fillable vehicle bill of auction beneath equally either a PDF or Docx:

Vehicle Bill of Auction Frequently Asked Questions

Do yous need a bill of sale to register a car?

No, yous don't need a bill of sale to register a vehicle. Although this depends on the country. For example, you can register a vehicle with simply a title in Arkansas as long every bit information technology has all the required information. Just it's recommended to get a bill of auction regardless of what state you're in.

Yous should check your state's DMV website to detect out the requirements for vehicle registration.

Does a vehicle neb of auction need to be notarized?

No, a bill of sales does non demand to be notarized. Usually, notarization past an official legal representative isn't a requirement for your bill of auction to be valid. Nonetheless, a vehicle bill of sale does demand to be notarized in the following states:

Louisiana
Maryland
Montana
Nebraska
New Hampshire
Due west Virginia

No affair what your state requirements are, it tin be helpful to get your bill of auction notarized anyway as it provides proof that the seller transferred ownership of the vehicle to you.