Bill of Sale Requirements in Washington DC

Bill of Sale in D.C.

When buying or selling a car, boat, motorcycle, or any other big-ticket item as a private party in Washington, D.C., it's a good idea to complete a bill of sale and make sure both parties have a copy of this important document. D.C. does not provide or require a bill of sale, rather requiring title transfers when buying or selling a car. A bill of sale is still a useful document for D.C. residents, though, and may be used for some registration-related tasks.

Using a D.C. Bill of Sale

A bill of sale is a legal document that is like a sales receipt which shows the transfer of ownership from the seller to the buyer. It shows:

  • Contact information for both buyer and seller.
  • A description of the vehicle and the vehicle identification number (VIN).
  • The selling price.
  • An odometer reading.
  • Signatures from both parties.

It is important to be able to show proof of sale when you are trying to get a clear title and register your vehicle, and completing a bill of sale does just that. It also protects you against future legal problems in the event that the buyer fails to register the car or abandons it.

Generic Bill of Sale

To assist you, we provide generic bill of sale forms which you can print and use.

DMV.ORG BBB Business Review