Bill of Sale vs Title
A bill of sale documents the private transaction details. A title transfer is the official DMV process that changes legal ownership.
What a Bill of Sale Does
- Records the private sale details
- Shows purchase price and sale date
- Includes buyer and seller signatures
- Documents VIN or HIN for the vehicle
What a Title Transfer Does
- Officially transfers ownership
- Updates DMV records
- Registers the new owner
How to create a bill of sale
- Gather buyer and seller details along with VIN or HIN.
- Record the sale price and transfer date.
- Sign the bill of sale and keep copies for both parties.
- Download the PDF and share with the buyer.
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Frequently asked questions
What does a bill of sale do?
It documents the private sale details like buyer and seller names, sale price, VIN, and sale date.
What does a title transfer do?
It is the official DMV process that changes legal ownership of the vehicle.
Do I need both?
Yes. A bill of sale records the transaction while the title transfer updates DMV ownership.
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