How to get a car title with a bill of sale.
Follow these tips to make this dizzying process a bit simpler.
Looking to secure your vehicle’s title? If you have a bill of sale for your car, you can get a title for it. It just requires a bit of research and a few extra steps. Having the title can streamline your car ownership experience, proving legal ownership and serving as a vital form of record for your local DMV.
Follow these tips — and be sure to check with your state's DMV — to ensure you’re meeting the right requirements.Learn how to get a title for a car with a bill of sale (and without) below.
Learn More: Bill of Sale Requirements by State
Tips to get a car title with your bill of sale.
It is possible to secure your car title when you get a bill of sale for a vehicle. If you have questions about how to get a bill of sale for a vehicle, please refer back to your vehicle seller. They can help you fill out the proper forms and complete their side of the paperwork to help you to have the smoothest experience possible.
Having your car’s title is well worth the effort, allowing you to prove that you have ownership of the car in the event of a theft or complaint. Here’s how to get a car title:
- Go to your DMV with your bill of sale and any other required identification documentation. The DMV will send you information about the amount of the vehicle surety bond you’ll need to buy from an approved insurance provider.
- Buy a surety bond, which ensures your vehicle is clear of any problems, allowing you to be listed as the new owner. Every state differs in the amount required for the surety bond.
- Secure a bonded title. Once you purchase your surety bond, you have a limited window of time to apply for a bonded title, which lists you as the vehicle owner. The secretary of state provides this document after reviewing your surety bond and comparing it with the letter the CMV sent you.
- Register your vehicle. When the state sends you your bonded title, you can register your vehicle and buy insurance.
At the end of the day, save yourself a headache by learning how to get the title to your car, and finally answer the question: “Can you get a title with a bill of sale?” It can save you a significant amount of time later on if proof of ownership is ever required by the DMV, banking institution or any other agency.
Can you get a car title without a bill of sale?
Looking to get your car title without using a bill of sale to prove ownership? You may run into some trouble depending on what state you’re in. This is because state laws can vary when it comes to car title ownership. For example, in the state of California, you’re required to present your bill of sale to register the vehicle or to have your title transferred. However, in Hawaii it wouldn’t matter.
Consulting with your local Department of Motor Vehicles or your local law enforcement can be a helpful step to determine if you’re eligible to get your vehicle’s title without a bill of sale.
States where you likely could accomplish this include:
- Hawaii
- Utah
- Arizona
However, we do recommend verifying state laws and requirements at the time of your title transfer to prevent confusion caused by any recent changes.
Seamlessly navigate vehicle sales paperwork.
Even if you can’t avoid these steps, you can still make the process a bit easier as you work to secure your bill of sale for a vehicle. Working in secure e-documents allows you to build, send, sign, and save these documents right from your computer.
This level of seamless collaboration and transfer can save you hours of time spent communicating with your local agencies, securing your title in a much more effective and convenient way..
Explore how you can use Adobe Acrobat Sign to manage this document-heavy process.
