The Pennsylvania DMV bill of sale for a motor vehicle, trailer, or boat is a paper account of the essential components surrounding the transaction of a vehicle for an identified consideration amount. The format of this record generally includes necessary information on the purchase such as vehicle specifics, buyer and seller info, purchase price, and signatory acknowledgment of contract. The state of Pennsylvania does not demand a bill of sale to grant registration and title. It can additionally be utilized to protect oneself against any legal liability once the vehicle changes hands. It can also be useful to provide evidence of sale in the arena of tax filing.
How to Register a Vehicle
Pennsylvania BMV requires separate application filings for new and used vehicles. When presenting paperwork for a new vehicle, you will want to establish proof of ownership with a Manufacturer’s Certificate of Origin. Used vehicles will call for a transferred Title complete with an odometer statement. The same scenario applies to the application you will want to fill out and hand in. For new vehicles, the necessary form will be the Application for Certificate of Title. Used vehicles will require a Vehicle Sales and Use Tax Return/Application for Registration. Both of these forms are only available to fill out at a PennDOT location or notary office in person. These forms are not available for download online as they incorporate a 3-tier form protocol.
Visit your nearest PennDOT Office with the following arranged materials:
- The appropriate application for title/registration, Application for Certificate of Title (form MV-1) for new vehicles, or a Vehicle Sales and Use Tax Return/Application for Registration (form MV-4ST) for used vehicles (available upon visiting PennDOT Office).
- Proper evidence of ownership of the vehicle via a Manufacturer Certificate of Origin for new vehicles, or properly reassigned Title (ensure that odometer statement is accurately filled-out).
- Valid automobile insurance in the state of Pennsylvania.
- Up-to-date Pennsylvania State issued identification card or driver’s license.
- Certificate for the vehicle passing Safety Inspection as well as a separate Emissions Inspection.
- An active form of payment for taxes and fees for registration and title.
The following items may be mandated dependent on the vehicle or your specific situation:
- If the vehicle was gifted to you, a furnished Pennsylvania Affidavit of Gift (form MV-13ST) will be required.
- A completed and notarized Pennsylvania Motor Vehicle Verification of Fair Market Value by the Issuing Agent (form MV-3) if the vehicle purchased was sold for an amount less than 80% fair market value.
- If you intend on using license plates from a previous vehicle on the newly obtained vehicle, make sure to bring them to the office with you on the day of registration.
How to Write
Step 1 – Download in Adobe PDF.
Step 2 – Vehicle Information – Fill out the information that will be needed to identify the vehicle correlated with the exchange:
- Make
- Model
- Year
- Style
- Color
- Vehicle Identification Number
- Odometer Reading
- Seller Registration Number
Step 3 – Signify whether or not you have submitted an application for this automobile on a previous occasion.
Step 4 – Seller/Buyer Information – Complete all information relevant to all buyers and sellers participating in the transaction:
- Seller’s Full Name
- Seller’s Street Address
- City
- State
- Buyer’s Full Name
- Buyer’s Street Address
- City
- State
Step 5 – Purchase Information – Indicate the specific facts related to the sale itself:
- Sale Price
- If the sale was a gift, submit the applicable relationship to the seller on this part of the form.
Step 6 – Affix the signatures of the buyer and seller to the bottom of the form in their corresponding spaces, along with the date of signature.
Step 7 – Create a second replica of the bill of sale by simply inputting the information from steps 1-6 on the second segment of the form just below the stippled line.