A Virginia vehicle bill of sale is a document that is typically filled out when selling and purchasing a motor vehicle. A fully completed bill of sale provides details about the buyer, the seller and the vehicle on sale, which is valuable information during the process of buying a car.

Because a VA car bill of sale form also contains the signatures of the legal entities involved in the sale, it can be used for a variety of general purposes. Furthermore, this document may also be required when dealing with the state Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).

The official uses for this document are limited only to certain special circumstances. Learn how to fill out a bill of sale template and where to obtain one of these forms by reading the following sections.

When is a bill of sale necessary in Virginia?

While a Virginia DMV bill of sale form is not usually necessary to complete the standard car registration and titling transactions, certain unique situations may still require to submit this document. You may have to furnish a motor vehicle bill of sale in VA as proof of the purchase price when titling both in-state and out-of-state vehicles.

This signed credential can serve as adequate evidence of the sale price, apart from a buyer’s order or the seller’s declaration included on the title. You will also be required to submit a used car bill of sale if you are titling a vehicle older than five model years that was purchased in a private sale. An official template for this document exists and can be obtained by the state DMV.

Vehicle owners may have to provide a sample bill of sale in other circumstances, as well. For instance, a bill of sell may be necessary when titling specially constructed, reconstructed or replica vehicles.

In such cases, applicants will be required to provide information about the origin of the parts used in the vehicle construction. Bills of sale, receipts, titles and certificates of origin can be used for this purpose.

Another situation that may entail submitting this credential is the titling process for certain special vehicle types, such as all-terrain vehicles or off-road motorcycles. An auto bill of sale agreement has many other official uses, depending on the situation you may find yourself in.

Who needs a Virginia bill of sale?

A printable bill of sale PDF can prove useful for many general uses in addition to those mentioned above. Buyers and sellers who retain this document on their records will have a reliable credential at their disposal that proves the sale transaction took place and the identity of the involved parties.

Therefore, purchasers can utilize the DMV bill of sale document signed by the seller to resolve any issues regarding the vehicle ownership. Buyers can also use the vehicle price information listed on this credential when calculating the sales and use tax that must typically be paid after the process of buying a car.

The receipt of a bill of sell may prove useful to the seller, as well, since it contains the personal data and signature of the buyer and details about the sold vehicle. For instance, a fully completed bill of sale form can be used as an additional level of protection against liability issues regarding the vehicle, even if transferors are required to notify the state DMV when they sell, trade or donate the motor vehicle.

Due to these various uses of a simple bill of sale contract in VA, retain a copy after the conclusion of a vehicle sale, regardless of whether you are the buyer or the seller.

How to Complete a Bill of Sale Form in Virginia

To correctly complete the Virginia bill of sale template, the legal entities involved in the vehicle sale must ensure they provide several types of information, such as their personal data and specifics about the vehicle that is being sold. A prudent step before filling out a generic bill of sale, however, is conducting a vehicle history check for purposes of assessing the vehicle’s financial worth.

The types of information that must generally be included in the form are outlined in the following list:

  • The vehicle year, make, model, body type and color.
  • The vehicle identification number.
  • The sale price and the sale date.
  • The seller’s and buyer’s names, signatures and date of signatures.

Note: Before attaching your signature on the vehicle bill of sale, ensure that the information entered is correct in order to avoid submitting a fraudulent form.

If you need an auto bill of sale in VA for certain unique circumstances, note that the state DMV typically requires customers to visit a nearby customer service center and submit the required paperwork in person. To learn whether or not you can utilize other methods of submitting a DMV bill of sale, contact the department.

Last updated on Tuesday, March 10 2020.