A West Virginia bill of sale is a legal document used to officially transfer ownership of a valuable item from one person to another. It outlines the transaction’s key details, including the agreed-upon price, a description of the item, and the parties’ identities. It shows proof of purchase and helps owners fulfill registration and tax obligations for vehicles, boats, and other valuable assets.
How to Register a Vehicle in West Virginia
Register a vehicle in West Virginia by presenting a bill of sale and other required documents to the West Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles.
Bill of Sale – By Type (5)
A form to buy or sell a motor vehicle in West Virginia
Vehicle Bill of Sale
A document to transfer ownership of recreational water vehicles (such as motorboats, sailboats, yachts, and jet skis) in the state of West Virginia
Boat Bill of Sale
A form to buy or sell a trailer (or any non-motorized vehicle pulled by another vehicle) in the state of West Virginia and register it at the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV)
Trailer Bill of Sale
A document to transfer ownership of a gun (such as a handgun, rifle, or shotgun) in the state of West Virginia, and avoid legal or criminal issues involving the weapon after it is sold
Firearm Bill of Sale
A form to record the transfer of a motorcycle in the state of West Virginia
Motorcycle Bill of Sale
Requirements
West Virginia mandates that sellers provide a bill of sale for any vehicle sale. This way, the seller will have a copy to facilitate the vehicle registration process.
Language and Copy Requirements
- Language: You can draft your bill of sale in any language, but it must be translated into English. Request translation services through your local county clerk’s office.
- Number of Copies: Ensure you can produce three copies, as the DMV, the buyer, and the seller will need one.
Vehicle Registration Forms
- Application for Certificate of Title for a Motor Vehicle (Form DMV-1-TR)
- Bill of Sale
- Odometer disclosure statement (for vehicles less than ten years old)
- Driver’s license or state identification
- Proof of insurance: [1]
- Property damage: $25,000
- Bodily injury liability per person: $25,000
- Bodily injury liability per incident: $50,000
- Registration fees [2] and tax payments [3]
- Proof of inspection from the West Virginia State Police (unless the car is from a state with inspection reciprocity) [4]
- Motor vehicle power of attorney (if someone is acting on the buyer’s or seller’s behalf)
Boat Registration Forms
- Bill of Sale
-
Application for Certificate of Title of a Motorboat (Form MB-6)
- Don’t need it if the boat is already titled in West Virginia
- The current title signed over to the buyer (if the boat had a previous owner)
- The previous owner’s registration statement (if the boat was never titled)
-
Hull Number Certification (if a boat is from a state that does not issue titles)
- Should be completed by a state police officer
- Payment of all registration fees [5]
Sample
