The information listed on a Washington DC bill of sale, as a legal document that is often issued when selling or buying a vehicle, may prove useful in a number of different situations. A car bill of sale typically records a change in ownership of the vehicle in question, and this document may help the involved parties resolve any legal disagreements over the vehicle’s ownership in the future. A properly filled out vehicle bill of sale in DC may also be necessary for conducting official business with the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).

Individuals completing specific procedures, such as titling or registering a motor vehicle will be required to provide the DMV with certain documentation, which may include a receipt of sale. Since the details displayed on a DMV bill of sale may be of great benefit to both the seller and the purchaser, both parties must be sure to enter the correct information on the form.

Note that a bill of sale template generally contains several sections that require the input of different information pertaining to the vehicle sold, as well as the parties involved in the transaction. Learn more about where to get a sample bill of sale PDF in Washington DC and how to complete such form in the following sections.

When is a bill of sale necessary in Washington DC?

One of the main purposes of having a generic bill of sale form in Washington DC is to protect the interests of both the seller and the purchaser, as it generally acts as extra proof of a vehicle sale or purchase. When purchasing a vehicle from a private party, for instance, buyers may obtain a bill of sell document in addition to the other paperwork, which may later be used for proving who the current owner of the vehicle is, as well as for completing other vehicle-related proceedings.

A completed bill of sale PDF or printout, for example, may be submitted along with a title or certificate of origin when obtaining a car registration. A DC bill of sale for car may also be necessary when applying to obtain a valid, current title to a motor vehicle that has been purchased or otherwise obtained.

Similar to this, a bill of sale receipt may be part of the documentation needed to register a boat. If you are the seller, for instance, it is your duty to sign ownership of your vessel over to the buyer and provide a sample bill of sale including specific details both about the buyer and the sale.

If you are the purchaser, on the other hand, you may need to submit the original boat bill of sale when completing a registration or titling process, regardless of whether you have purchased a new vessel or obtained a used one that has been previously titled/registered within the state.

Who needs a Washington DC bill of sale?

Having a Washington DC DMV bill of sale is generally in the best interest of both parties transferring ownership of a vehicle. Buyers who have obtained this document during the process of buying a car can always present it for the purposes of proving they are the legal and rightful owners of the vehicle in question. In addition to this, a properly completed bill of sale PDF document can also confirm that the purchaser has provided payment for the agreed price, thus avoiding any dispute over this issue.

Furthermore, buyers may need to present their bill of sale to the state DMV when completing specific vehicle-related procedures, such as when requesting a title or registration for their newly acquired car or vessel. The seller, on the other hand, can utilize a bill of sell to verify whether he or she signed the vehicle’s ownership over to the buyer, and cannot be held responsible for any activity associated with the vehicle upon the sale.

How to Complete a Bill of Sale Form in Washington DC

When filling out a DC bill of sale contract, the document will require the input of specific details pertaining to the parties involved in the transaction, the vehicle on sale, and the sales procedure itself. A prudent step prior to completing a used car bill of sale is to order a vehicle history check, so as to make sure that the information provided on the form is accurate. The details contained within a Washington DC bill of sale template include, but are not limited to the following:

  • The printed names and addresses of the seller and purchaser.
  • Information about the vehicle on sale, including:
    • Vehicle identification number (VIN).
    • Year.
    • Make.
    • Model.
    • Body and color.
  • The purchase price and date of sale.
  • The signatures of the parties involved.

Note: If you currently need a sample bill of sale form, click here and obtain one quickly and easily.

Last updated on Tuesday, March 3 2020.