Updated September 12, 2023
A Virginia motor vehicle bill of sale is a form used to transfer ownership of a motor vehicle in the State of Virginia. It can provide a record of the transaction and may also be used in some subsequent vehicle-related applications. The bill of sale should contain identifying information about the buyer and the seller, a description of the vehicle, and the terms of the purchase.
Vehicles More than 5+ Years Old – The transfer of ownership of vehicles older than five years must be accompanied by Form SUT 1, which must be signed by both the buyer and the seller. The form does not need to be notarized.
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Registering a Vehicle
All vehicles owned by Virginia residents driven on Virginia roads must be registered, with the state Department of Motor Vehicles. As described below, in some cases the titling of a vehicle and obtaining registration are completed in the same transaction; in others, it must be done separately. For those occurring separately, there is no state law requirement about how quickly a vehicle must be registered after the transfer of ownership, but best practice is for the buyer to do so as soon as possible. If the vehicle has been purchased at a dealership, the dealer will likely handle much of the paperwork on a buyer’s behalf, although it may take as much as a month for the change to be reflected in the buyer’s DMV records. Registration is available in one-, two- and three-year increments. Once registered, renewals may be completed online.
Where to Register
Initial registration may be completed at a Virginia DMV Office, a customer service center, or by scheduling an appointment with a mobile office.
Required Documents
- For purchases of vehicles with existing Virginia title, the vehicle’s title with the “Assignment of Title by Owner” or “Application for New Owner Certificate of Title and Registration” completed
- These buyers must apply for registration with a Vehicle Registration Application (Form VSA 14)
- For purchases of new vehicles in the state, a Manufacturer’s Statement of Origin or Manufacturer’s Certificate of Origin
- These buyers must apply for both title and registration with an Application for Certificate of Title and Registration (Form VSA 17)
- For vehicles over five years old, an Odometer Disclosure Statement (VSA-5)
- A Bill of Sale
- Valid driver’s license or state identification
- Proof of residency
- Proof of insurance meeting the minimum state requirements
- $25,000 for injury or death of one person in an accident
- $50,000 for two or more people in an accident
- $20,000 for property damage in an accident
- For vehicles belonging to buyers residing in Arlington, Fairfax, Loudon, Prince William or Stafford counties, or in the cities of Alexandria, Fairfax, Falls Church, Manassas or Manassas Park, a record of successful vehicle inspection
- Note: This requirement does not apply to motorcycles
- For transactions in which the buyer or seller is represented by an agent, a Motor Vehicle Power of Attorney
- Proof of payment of all titling and registration fees