DMV Bill of Sale
Understanding the DMV Bill of Sale
A DMV bill of sale is the document that proves you legally purchased an automobile. These documents are important if you plan on eventually registering or titling your vehicle in the state you live in. Without a car bill of sale, your local department of motor vehicles (DMV) cannot issue you the proper documentation you need to legally drive your car. Therefore, it is important that you understand how to obtain these documents. Otherwise, you risk encountering complications when you title and register your vehicle in the future.
However, before you can take these steps, you need to understand how to get your bill of sale form. There are certain procedures you must follow in order to obtain these documents. When you are in the process of buying a car, you may be overwhelmed by the forms you need to complete. As a result, you may forget to obtain your vehicle bill of sale. To avoid difficulties later on, make sure you understand how to get your auto bill of sale before you complete the transaction.
What is a bill of sale?
A new or used car bill of sale is the document that outlines how and when you purchased an automobile. These items also provide information about the terms of your transaction, as well as basic information about your car. More specifically, a general bill of sale form for a vehicle will contain information relating to:
- They buyers and sellers of the vehicle.
- The make and model of the automobile.
- How much you paid for the car.
- Whether you borrowed funds from a lessor to finance your purchase.
How to Get a Bill of Sale for a Car
You will obtain your DMV bill of sale form from the individual who is selling you your vehicle. As a buyer, you keep the vehicle and you also retain the document after the transaction is complete. However, the seller should also keep a copy of this document for his or her own records. Usually, you will obtain this document before you depart from the seller once you purchase the automobile. Otherwise, you will need to contact the seller again so you can obtain this document at a later date.
How to Get a Notarized Bill of Sale
Depending on the state you live in, you may need to obtain a notarized car bill of sale. This means that a notary needs to sign your document to verify that all the information you provide is accurate. To obtain a notarized bill, you usually need to sign the transfer in front of a notary. However, this does not mean that you need to arrive with a blank bill of sale. To save you time at the notary’s office, arrive with your document filled out with everything besides your and the seller’s signatures.
How to Write a Bill of Sale
Your state may offer a printable bill of sale document you can use to help you document your own purchase. If available to you, you should take advantage of this option. This free bill of sale template is helpful because if you fill it out properly, you will have all the information you need to verify the transaction. If you need help finding a car bill of sale template you can fill out, contact your local DMV.