BillOfSaleNow

Portsmouth, Virginia

Portsmouth Car Bill of Sale Requirements

Complete requirements checklist for a car bill of sale in Portsmouth, Virginia. Includes exact fees, notarization rules, and where to file at the VA DMV – Portsmouth Office.

Title Transfer Fee

$15.00

Sales Tax Rate

4.15%

Notarization

Not Required

Required Fields — Portsmouth Car Bill of Sale

All of the following must appear on a valid car bill of sale in Portsmouth, Virginia:

  • Full legal name and current address of seller
  • Full legal name and current address of buyer
  • Agreed sale price (in numerals and words)
  • Date of sale
  • Car year, make, model, and body style
  • 17-character VIN (Vehicle Identification Number)
  • Odometer reading at time of sale (federal disclosure required for most motor vehicles under 10 years old)
  • Signature of seller
  • Signature of buyer

Notarization in Portsmouth: Not Required

Virginia does not require notarization for a car bill of sale. Virginia does not require notarization for private vehicle sales. Both parties simply sign and date the completed form in the presence of each other.

Where to File — Portsmouth Title Office

Office

VA DMV – Portsmouth Office

Address

801 Crawford St, Portsmouth, VA 23704

Phone

(804) 497-7100

Hours

Mon–Fri 8:00 AM–5:00 PM; Sat 8:00 AM–12:00 PM

Additional requirements in Portsmouth (Independent City):

  • Title transfer at a VA DMV office within 30 days
  • Virginia 4.15% motor vehicle SUT at title transfer
  • Vehicle must pass VA safety inspection
  • Seller must sign the title assignment

What to Bring to the VA DMV

  • 1Completed, signed car bill of sale
  • 2Car title signed over by seller on the back
  • 3Valid government-issued photo ID (driver's license or passport)
  • 4Payment for title transfer fee: $15.00
  • 5Payment for sales tax (4.15% of sale price)
  • 6Odometer disclosure statement (if not included on title)

FAQ — Car Bill of Sale Requirements in Portsmouth

What are the required fields on a car bill of sale in Portsmouth?
A valid car bill of sale in Portsmouth, Virginia must include both parties' full legal names and addresses, sale date, agreed sale price, VIN, year, make, model, and signatures of buyer and seller.
What is the title transfer fee for a car in Portsmouth?
The title transfer fee in Portsmouth (Independent City) is $15.00. The car sales tax rate is 4.15%. Virginia motor vehicle sales and use tax is a flat 4.15% statewide (separate from general 5.3% sales tax)
Is notarization required for a car bill of sale in Portsmouth?
No. Virginia does not require notarization for private vehicle sales.
Where do I file a car title transfer in Portsmouth?
File the title transfer at the VA DMV – Portsmouth Office, 801 Crawford St, Portsmouth, VA 23704. Hours: Mon–Fri 8:00 AM–5:00 PM; Sat 8:00 AM–12:00 PM. Phone: (804) 497-7100.

Trusted by private vehicle sellers nationwide

45% faster sale

Vehicles whose listings include a history report spend ~45% less time on site before selling, and report-viewers are 5x more likely to become a lead.

Source: Experian / AutoCheck

$4,000 avg loss

NHTSA estimates 450,000+ vehicles per year are sold with rolled-back odometers — the average victim loses about $4,000 in downstream repair costs.

Source: NHTSA

17.5M private sales/yr

About 17.5 million private-party vehicle transactions happen in the U.S. each year — roughly 47% of the used market.

Source: Cox Automotive 2024

1 in 3 buyers

Roughly 1 in 3 used-car buyers say they suspect private sellers are hiding mechanical problems — documentation closes that trust gap.

Source: JW Surety Bonds (n=3,000)

$60–$85 mobile notary

Mobile notary visit minimums run $60–$85 — higher on weekends, plus per-mile travel fees. State-formatted documents skip the trip.

Source: Thumbtack / NNA