Paperwork When Buying a Car in Nevada
When you buy a car in Nevada, you'll need to receive paperwork from the seller in order to properly transfer ownership.
Use this guide to learn more about the paperwork required to title and register your vehicle at the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) following a purchase.
Looking to sell your vehicle? You'll need paperwork to do it! Check out our guide to sellers' paperwork to get you started.
Paperwork for Nevada Car Buyers
Much of the process and paperwork you receive after buying a car in Nevada will differ based on whether the vehicle was purchased through a dealership or a private party.
Dealership Purchases
When you purchase a car from a Nevada dealership*, the dealer should provide you with the following:
- Temporary registration.
- Dealer Report of Sale.
- Nevada Emissions Vehicle Inspection Report (VIR).
- Check out our page on smog checks in Nevada for more information.
You will need these documents to apply for your permanent title and registration at your local NV DMV office location.
* NOTE: Additional documents may be required if you purchased the vehicle from an out-of-state dealer. See below for details.
Private Sales
For cars bought in a private sale, you must receive certain documents from the seller in order to properly transfer ownership at your local DMV. These include:
- A signed and completed vehicle title*, including:
- The odometer disclosure statement, if required by law.
- The sale date.
- The purchase price.
- A Nevada Emission Vehicle Inspection Report (VIR), if necessary (available from the DMV).
- Check out our Smog Check in Nevada page for more details.
- A Bill of Sale (Form VP104) IF there is no title*.
* NOTE: If the seller has lost the title or it is in unusable condition, they'll need to obtain a new one BEFORE completing the sale by submitting an Application for Duplicate Nevada Certificate of Title (Form VP012) to the Nevada DMV.
NV Vehicle Registration Paperwork
Below is a preview of what you'll need to title and register your car at your local Nevada DMV:
- The vehicle title.
- A complete Application for Vehicle Registration (Form VP-222).
- An odometer disclosure, if required by law.
- NV car insurance.
- Lienholder or lease paperwork, if applicable.
- An emissions inspection certificate, if applicable.
- Check out our guide to smog checks in Nevada for full details.
- Payment for all fees due.
- For a breakdown, jump over to Car Registration in Nevada.
Registering Out-of-State Vehicles
If you're registering a vehicle previously titled and registered in a state other than Nevada, you'll need the documents above, PLUS the following:
- A dealer's invoice OR a Bill of Sale (Form VP104).
- If you bought your car from an out-of-state dealer, you'll need 1 document in addition to the above; either a:
- Title.
- Manufacturer's Certificate of Origin.
- Security/lease agreement.
- If you bought your car from an out-of-state dealer, you'll need 1 document in addition to the above; either a:
- A vehicle identification number (VIN) inspection.
- This can be completed at a DMV full-service office OR by having a law enforcement officer complete a Vehicle Inspection Certificate (Form VP15).
- Your out-of-state registration and license plates.