Overview
Selling or buying a used vehicle in Washington, D.C.? A bill of sale is your proof of the deal — it records who sold what, for how much, and on what date. The District transfers ownership through the signed title and the Certificate of Title/Temporary Tag Application filed with the DC DMV, and for a purchased vehicle a bill of sale is part of the required paperwork. It also protects both sides: it locks in the price, the exact handover date, and the fact that the seller is no longer responsible for tickets, tolls, or accidents once the keys change hands.
Washington D.C. requirements
Is a bill of sale required in Washington, D.C.?
Yes, for a purchased vehicle. The DC DMV lists a bill of sale among the documents required to title and register a vehicle you bought. It works alongside the signed title and the Certificate of Title/Temporary Tag Application, and it proves the price and sale date.
Does it need to be notarized?
No. The District does not require a motor vehicle bill of sale to be notarized, and the title is simply signed by both the buyer and seller. You can notarize the bill of sale voluntarily for extra proof, but it is not needed to transfer the title.
Title transfer deadline
Title and register the vehicle promptly with the DC DMV — the excise tax is due at titling. New D.C. residents must title and register a vehicle they bring in within 60 days of establishing residency to avoid penalties.
Motor vehicle excise tax
The District charges an excise tax instead of a flat sales tax, assessed on the vehicle's fair market value. The rate runs from about 1% to 11% based on the vehicle's weight class and city MPG — heavier, less-efficient vehicles pay more, and the DC DMV calculates it automatically at titling.
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 note that the sale takes place in Washington, D.C.
- 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 the Certificate of Title/Temporary Tag Application with the DC DMV and pays the excise tax.
Ready to create your Washington D.C. 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
Washington D.C. bill of sale by vehicle type
The same Washington D.C.builder 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 DC DMV. Confirm the details with the DC DMV.
Washington D.C. bill of sale FAQ
Does a Washington, D.C. motor vehicle bill of sale need to be notarized?
No. The District does not require a vehicle bill of sale to be notarized. The legal transfer happens through the signed title and the Certificate of Title/Temporary Tag Application at the DC DMV — notarizing is optional and only adds extra proof.
Do I need a bill of sale to sell a car in Washington, D.C.?
Yes, for a purchased vehicle. The DC DMV lists a bill of sale among the required documents to title and register a car you bought. It also proves the price, the sale date, and that you're no longer responsible for the vehicle after the sale.
Where do I transfer the title in Washington, D.C.?
At the DC DMV. The buyer brings the signed title, a completed Certificate of Title/Temporary Tag Application, a bill of sale, proof of D.C. insurance, and payment for the title fee and excise tax.
How long do I have to transfer the title in Washington, D.C.?
Title and register promptly — the excise tax is due when you title the vehicle. If you've just moved to the District, you must title and register a vehicle you bring in within 60 days of becoming a resident to avoid penalties.
How much is sales tax on a used car in Washington, D.C.?
The District charges an excise tax, not a flat sales tax. It's based on the vehicle's fair market value and ranges from about 1% to 11% depending on weight and city MPG, so a heavier or less-efficient car pays more. The DC DMV calculates it automatically when you title.
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 Washington, D.C.?
Yes — the District accepts a bill of sale as long as it has the key details, so a handwritten one is valid. A complete, typed document like this one is simply cleaner and far less likely to be questioned at the DC DMV.
Is this Washington, D.C. 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.