A District of Columbia motor vehicle bill of sale is a legal document serving as evidence of the transaction between the seller and buyer of a vehicle. It is essentially proof of the purchase and can be used in the case of a dispute over the ownership of the vehicle.
Owners have 60 days to register vehicles in the District of Columbia, and a bill of sale is required.
District of Columbia Vehicle Registration
Vehicles must be registered within 60 days in the District of Columbia, and the owner must be a resident of Washington, D.C. If you are moving from out-of-state, you should apply for a driver’s license before registering your vehicle.
Where to Register Your Vehicle
A vehicle is registered in Washington, D.C. by visiting the nearest Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) branch. You can find a list of all the DC DMV facilities on the state’s Department of Motor Vehicles website.
Documents Required by the DMV Office
In order to register your vehicle with the DMV you need to have the following documents:
- Bill of sale
- Current title or certificate of origin
- Odometer disclosure statement
- Proof of DMV inspection.
- Proof of vehicle insurance
- Registration fees
- Valid Washington, D.C. photo ID
- If someone is registering your vehicle for you, make sure you have given them Washington, DC motor vehicle power of attorney for this purpose.
You will need to drive to the DMV inspection site and wait in line for the DMV inspection. If your vehicle is newer than 2005 and was inspected by the District of Columbia DMV, you can go to a self-service vehicle emissions inspection kiosk.
Free District of Columbia Vehicle Bill of Sale Sample
Utilize our District of Columbia vehicle bill of sale template to build your own vehicle bill of sale.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a bill of sale to register a car in the District of Columbia?
Yes, a bill of sale is needed to register a car in the District of Columbia.
Does a bill of sale need notarized in the District of Columbia?
A bill of sale does not need to be notarized in the District of Columbia.