Get a bill of sale from a regulatory agency. Many government agencies, like the Department of Motor Vehicles, for instance, offer bill of sale forms for public use. Using a form directly from a government agency ensures that you have all of the information required for your state.
Here's how to get a car title: Go to your DMV with your bill of sale and any other required identification documentation. Buy a surety bond, which ensures your vehicle is clear of any problems, allowing you to be listed as the new owner. Secure a bonded title. Register your vehicle.
To register a vehicle in Massachusetts, bring proof of insurance, the vehicle title, an odometer disclosure statement, and payment for your registration fees to your local Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) office. All vehicles registered in Massachusetts must pass a yearly vehicle inspection.
Obtain a Bill of Sale In the state of Massachusetts, this is typically only necessary for registration if the vehicle is exempt from the Certificate of Title because of its age. In that case, the bill of sale and the previous owner's registration is needed to register the vehicle in Massachusetts.
Additional Reasons You Cannot Sell a Car Without a Pink Slip If the state you are purchasing the vehicle from does NOT issue titles for your particular vehicle you must get what is called a “title verification letter” so that the California DMV will accept a bill of sale in lieu of a title.
This answers the question of is the bill of sale same as the title, as you'll need one to get the other. Think of the two documents as complementary. While a bill of sale certifies a transfer of ownership between two parties, a title certifies the buyer's legal ownership.
The Connecticut DMV website provides an official Bill of Sale Form H-31 that you can download and complete. It is state-specific, and has all of the information you need to prove a legal sale.
If you're participating in a private sale from one person to another, you must have a bill of sale. However, you don't need it for registration unless the situation is dire and there is no way to use another document like the title.
Additional Reasons You Cannot Sell a Car Without a Pink Slip If the state you are purchasing the vehicle from does NOT issue titles for your particular vehicle you must get what is called a “title verification letter” so that the California DMV will accept a bill of sale in lieu of a title.