Overview
Selling or buying a used vehicle in Virginia? A bill of sale is your proof of the deal — it records who sold what, for how much, and on what date. Virginia transfers ownership through the assigned title and the title application (Form VSA-17A) at the DMV, but a bill of sale protects both sides: it locks in the price, the exact handover date, and the fact that the seller is no longer responsible for tolls, tickets, or accidents once the keys change hands. For vehicles more than five years old, the DMV will accept your bill of sale as proof of the purchase price.
Virginia requirements
Is a bill of sale required in Virginia?
Sometimes. Ownership transfers through the assigned title and Form VSA-17A at the DMV. For a vehicle more than five years old, the DMV uses your bill of sale to verify the purchase price; for newer vehicles you instead provide a purchase-price affidavit (Form SUT 1A). Either way, a bill of sale is strongly recommended as proof of the deal.
Does it need to be notarized?
No. Virginia does not require a vehicle bill of sale or the title to be notarized. You can notarize it voluntarily for extra proof, but it is not needed to transfer the title.
Title transfer deadline
The buyer must apply for a new title (Form VSA-17A) at the Virginia DMV within 30 days of the sale. Applying late adds a $10 penalty on top of the title fee.
Motor vehicle sales tax
Virginia charges 4.15% Motor Vehicle Sales and Use Tax (SUT), paid by the buyer at the DMV when titling. It's based on the vehicle's gross sale price or $75, whichever is greater.
Odometer disclosure
Federal law requires the odometer reading at the time of sale for vehicles under 20 model years old. Record it on both the bill of sale and the title.
How to fill it out
- 1
Enter the sale date and the Virginia city or county where the sale takes place.
- 2
Add the seller's and buyer's full legal names and addresses.
- 3
Describe the vehicle — make, model, year, color, and 17-character VIN.
- 4
Record the odometer reading and the federal odometer disclosure.
- 5
Enter the purchase price and choose 'as-is' or add warranty terms.
- 6
Both parties sign — then the buyer files Form VSA-17A at the Virginia DMV within 30 days.
Ready to create your Virginia bill of sale?
Fill the form, watch it build live, and download the PDF — free, no signup.
Open the free builderWhat to include
- Seller & buyer names and addresses
- Make, model, year, color & VIN
- Odometer reading + federal disclosure
- Purchase price & sales-tax note
- “As-is” statement or warranty terms
- Date of sale and signatures
Virginia bill of sale by vehicle type
The same Virginiabuilder works for more than cars — pick your vehicle and the form adapts: the right ID number (a VIN, a boat's HIN, or a serial number) and an odometer reading only where one applies.
- Car bill of sale
- Truck bill of sale
- SUV bill of sale
- Van bill of sale
- Motorcycle bill of sale
- ATV bill of sale
- RV bill of sale
- Camper bill of sale
- Trailer bill of sale
- Boat bill of sale
- Jet Ski bill of sale
- Snowmobile bill of sale
- Golf Cart bill of sale
- Tractor bill of sale
A few differ: boats and jet skis use a Hull ID Number (HIN) instead of a VIN and have no odometer; trailers, campers, snowmobiles, golf carts, and tractors have no odometer either; and boats, ATVs, and snowmobiles often register with a different agency (such as a wildlife, boating, or parks department) rather than the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). Confirm the details with the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).
Virginia bill of sale FAQ
Does a Virginia motor vehicle bill of sale need to be notarized?
No. Virginia does not require a vehicle bill of sale or the title to be notarized. The legal transfer happens through the assigned title and Form VSA-17A at the DMV — notarizing is optional and only adds extra proof.
Do I need a bill of sale to sell a car in Virginia?
It depends on the vehicle's age. For a vehicle more than five years old, the DMV uses your bill of sale to confirm the purchase price; newer vehicles use a price affidavit instead. Even when not required, a bill of sale is strongly recommended — it proves the price, the date, and that you're no longer responsible for the vehicle.
Where do I transfer the title in Virginia?
At the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). The buyer brings the assigned title, a completed Form VSA-17A, proof of Virginia insurance, and payment for the title fee and the 4.15% Sales and Use Tax.
How long do I have to transfer the title in Virginia?
The buyer has 30 days from the date of sale to apply for a new title at the DMV. After 30 days, Virginia adds a $10 late penalty on top of the title fee, so don't wait.
How much is sales tax on a used car in Virginia?
4.15% — Virginia's Motor Vehicle Sales and Use Tax, calculated on the vehicle's gross sale price or $75, whichever is greater. The buyer pays it at the DMV when titling, which is why an accurate sale price on your bill of sale matters.
Do both the buyer and seller need to sign?
Yes. Both parties should sign and date the bill of sale, and each keeps a copy. If there are two buyers or two sellers, every party signs.
Is a handwritten bill of sale valid in Virginia?
Yes — the DMV accepts a handwritten bill of sale signed by the seller and buyer as long as it has the key details. A complete, typed document like this one is simply cleaner and far less likely to be questioned at the DMV.
Is this Virginia bill of sale really free?
Yes — completely. Fill it in, preview it live, and download the PDF with no signup, no credit card, and no watermark. Unlike sites that charge a fee or push a subscription to download, there's nothing to pay here.