How to Write a Vehicle Bill of Sale in Virginia
Step-by-step guide to writing a valid Virginia vehicle bill of sale — required fields, notarization rules, and official forms.
Required Fields in a Virginia Bill of Sale
- •Seller full legal name and address
- •Buyer full legal name and address
- •Vehicle year, make, model
- •VIN
- •Odometer reading
- •Sale price in dollars
- •Date of sale
- •Seller signature
- •Buyer signature
Notarization: Not Required
Virginia does not typically require notarization of a private vehicle bill of sale. Check with the Virginia DMV if you have questions about specific transaction types.
Witness: Not Required
Virginia does not require witnesses for a standard private vehicle bill of sale.
6-Step Guide: Writing a Virginia Bill of Sale
- 1Gather Vehicle InformationWrite down the vehicle year, make, model, VIN (found on the dashboard or door jamb), current odometer reading, and agreed sale price.
- 2Add Parties' InformationRecord the seller's full legal name and address, and the buyer's full legal name and address. Use names exactly as they appear on government-issued ID.
- 3Write the Sale TermsState the agreed sale price in full (e.g., "Fifteen Thousand Dollars ($15,000)"). Include an As Is clause if selling without warranty: "Vehicle sold as-is with no expressed or implied warranty."
- 4Include Required DisclosuresIn Virginia, include an odometer disclosure for vehicles under 10 model years old. Note any known defects in writing.
- 5Sign and DateBoth buyer and seller sign and date the document. Virginia does not require notarization for a private vehicle bill of sale.
- 6Make Copies for Both PartiesEach party should retain a signed original or a signed copy. The seller should keep a copy for at least 3 years.
Virginia DMV
https://www.usa.gov/motor-vehicle-services ↗Virginia Note
Keep a signed copy of the Virginia bill of sale for at least 3 years. It is your primary evidence of the agreed sale price, vehicle condition, and transfer of ownership at the time of the transaction.
Frequently Asked Questions
What fields are required on a Virginia vehicle bill of sale?
Seller full legal name and address, Buyer full legal name and address, Vehicle year, make, model, VIN, Odometer reading, Sale price in dollars, Date of sale, Seller signature, Buyer signature.
Does a Virginia bill of sale need to be notarized?
Virginia does not typically require notarization of a private vehicle bill of sale. Check with the Virginia DMV if you have questions about specific transaction types.
Does Virginia require a specific bill of sale form?
Virginia does not mandate a specific bill of sale form for private transactions. A written document containing all required fields is legally sufficient.
Do I need witnesses on a Virginia bill of sale?
Virginia does not require witnesses for a standard private vehicle bill of sale.
What is an As Is clause and should I include it in Virginia?
An As Is clause states the vehicle is sold without any expressed or implied warranty. In Virginia, an As Is clause protects the seller from post-sale claims about vehicle condition. Always include it for private party sales and list any known defects separately.
How many copies of the bill of sale should I make in Virginia?
Make at least two signed copies — one for the seller and one for the buyer. Some Virginia DMV offices request a copy during the title transfer process. The seller should retain a copy for at least 3 years as a record of the transaction.
Skip the Writing — Generate It in 60 Seconds
Use our free Virginia bill of sale generator. All required fields pre-filled, As Is clause included, ready to print and sign.
Generate Virginia Bill of Sale