Updated January 25, 2022
A motor vehicle bill of sale includes the terms and conditions of a vehicle purchase between a buyer and seller. Once completed and signed, it may be used as proof to your local Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) for a change of ownership. The new owner will need a copy of the signed bill of sale to complete registration.
A bill of sale should only be signed after the buyer has paid in full and the seller has conveyed the certificate of title.
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What is a Motor Vehicle Bill of Sale?
A motor vehicle bill of sale records the transaction between a buyer and seller for the purchase of a motor vehicle. The document can be used as proof of purchase, much like a receipt.
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What Should it Include?
The form should include the following:
- Buyer’s name and address;
- Seller’s name and address;
- Vehicle description (i.e. make, model, year and body style);
- Vehicle identification number (VIN);
- Sale date;
- Transaction details (i.e. purchase price, trade, or gift); and
- Warranty details (usually sold on an “as-is, where-is” basis).