Paperwork When Selling a Car in Vermont

Paperwork Required to Sell Your Car in Vermont

Have a car you'd like to sell in Vermont, and looking for some clear, concise information to guide you through the process? Well, you've managed to navigate your way to a great resource. We will guide you through what you need to do to successfully transfer ownership of your car through the Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).

Selling a Vehicle in Vermont

This guide mostly concerns itself with the actual transferring of ownership of your vehicle, but of course there are a lot of important steps that come before signing off on the title. To learn more about how to gauge your car's worth, advertise it to prospective buyers, and effectively negotiate a sale, check out this companion article on the basics of selling a used vehicle.

Once you've connected with a buyer, you'll need to provide them with a few important documents—which we'll get into below—and remove the license plates. Then you're done!

Required Documents in Vermont

You'll need to fill out a few basic documents to sell your car in Vermont. The most important of these is the car title certificate, which you'll sign over to the new owner.

You'll also want to provide an odometer disclosure statement to certify the vehicle mileage at the time of the title transfer as well as a bill of sale. The bill of sale includes the vehicle's basic identification information, the purchase price, and other details.

You can use the Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles' Bill of Sale and Odometer Disclosure Statement (Form VT-005) to provide the mileage and the sale details in one fell swoop.

Remember to keep a copy of the bill of sale for your own records.

Duplicate Vermont Certificate of Title

You won't be able to sell your car in Vermont if your car title certificate is missing, stolen, or mutilated. Fortunately, it's easy enough to apply for a duplicate title through the Vermont DMV. Just fill out the Duplicate Title Application (Form VT-04), which can be printed from the DMV website.

If you're applying for a replacement title because the original was damaged, include the mutilated version with your application.

If there's a lien on the title, the lien holder must complete the application.

There is a $35 duplicate title fee you'll need to pay.

For more information, visit our Replacing a Lost Title in Vermont page.

Duplicate Registration in VT

You can obtain a replacement registration for your car ahead of the sale by completing the appropriate sections of the Corrected or Replacement Registration (Form VD-040). You'll need to identify the reason you need a duplicate registration.

There is a $20 replacement registration fee.

For more information, visit our Replacing a Lost Registration in Vermont page.

Vehicle History Reports

When you're selling a car in Vermont, remember that many shoppers may request a vehicle history report before they make any final decisions. Vehicle history reports, obtained using the car's vehicle identification number, offer lots of background information on the car—from its involvement in accidents to details on the title.

A vehicle history report can also serve as a sales tool, as long as your vehicle doesn't have any major issues.

Transferring License Plates After a Sale

The license plates stay with you when you sell your vehicle, so you should remove them once you've completed the sale. You can transfer registration to another vehicle you own by completing the relevant sections of the Motor Vehicle Registration, Tax and Title Application (Form VD-119).

Forms for Easy Download

Bill of Sale and Odometer Disclosure Statement (Form VT-005)

Duplicate Title Application (Form VT-04)

Corrected or Replacement Registration (Form VD-040)

Motor Vehicle Registration, Tax and Title Application (Form VD-119)

Optional helpful links:

Generic Bill of Sale

Vehicle History Report

Forms

VT-005
Bill of Sale and Odometer Disclosure Statement
Complete and submit this form to the Vermont DMV after the private sale of a vehicle. The buyer MUST sign the salvage section if the vehicle is salvaged or has been totalled.
VD-040
Corrected or Replacement Registration
Use this form to request a duplicate registration OR a corrected registration from the VT DMV.
VT-04
Duplicate Title Application
Use this form to apply for a duplicate vehicle title with the Vermont DMV.
VD-119
Registration Tax and Title Application
Use this form to register and title your vehicle with the Vermont DMV.
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