Selling or buying a vehicle in Virginia? Proof of purchase price is required — and Virginia offers a convenient electronic title transfer option for eligible private party sales that skips the DMV visit entirely.
This free template is formatted for Virginia’s requirements and works alongside Form VSA 17A at any Virginia DMV customer service center.
Click Get This Template below to open it in Google Docs, then click Use Template to save a copy to your Drive.
For templates for all 50 states, visit the Motor Vehicle Bill of Sale Templates →
On this page:
- What Is a Virginia Motor Vehicle Bill of Sale?
- Is a Bill of Sale Required in Virginia?
- Virginia-Specific Requirements
- Free Virginia Motor Vehicle Bill of Sale Template
- How to Fill Out the Template
- How to Transfer a Car Title in Virginia
- Frequently Asked Questions
What Is a Virginia Motor Vehicle Bill of Sale?
A Virginia motor vehicle bill of sale is a written record of a private vehicle sale.
Virginia does not require a specific state-issued bill of sale form — proof of the purchase price can be provided via a bill of sale, a buyer’s order, or the sale price declared on the Certificate of Title itself. Virginia also provides a Vehicle Price Certification (Form SUT 1) as an official option.
Is a Bill of Sale Required in Virginia?
Proof of the purchase price is required when titling and registering a vehicle in Virginia. This can be provided as a bill of sale, buyer’s order, or the seller’s declared price on the title. Without proof of price, the DMV will calculate the 4.15% motor vehicle sales and use tax based on the official NADA trade-in value.
A handwritten bill of sale signed by both seller and buyer is acceptable. Virginia also accepts a Vehicle Price Certification (Form SUT 1) signed by the seller or purchaser.
Virginia-Specific Requirements
1. 30-Day Deadline
Any person must apply for a Virginia Certificate of Title and registration within 30 days of purchase or moving into Virginia. Fines apply for failure to title and register within 30 days.
2. Electronic Title Transfer Option
Virginia offers an electronic title transfer program — if the vehicle already has a Virginia title, both buyer and seller can transfer ownership entirely online without visiting a DMV office. Both parties must have a Virginia DMV online account (or a temporary PIN). This is one of the most convenient private-party transfer options in the country.
3. Sales Tax: 4.15%
Virginia charges a 4.15% motor vehicle sales and use tax on the purchase price or NADA trade-in value — whichever is greater. Tax is paid at the DMV at the time of title transfer. Proof of the purchase price is required to use the actual sale price as the tax basis.
4. Seller: Complete Section A on the Title
The seller completes Section A on the front of the Virginia title: sign and print name exactly as it appears on the front, provide the buyer’s name and address, enter the odometer reading (actual mileage), enter the date of sale, and fill in the sale price. All owners listed on the title must sign.
5. Safety Inspection
Before completing a vehicle title transfer, vehicles must pass a Virginia safety inspection. An emissions inspection is also required in Arlington, Fairfax, Loudoun, Prince William, and Stafford counties and several cities in northern Virginia.
6. Electronic or Paper Title
Virginia offers the option of an electronic or paper vehicle title. If you choose an electronic title, you can request a paper title from the Virginia DMV at any time. Titles with liens are mailed to the lienholder.
7. Notarization
Virginia does not require notarization for a standard private party vehicle bill of sale. An Affidavit of Vehicle Purchase Price (Form SUT 1A) must be notarized when required for newer vehicles sold significantly below market value. Notarization is optional but recommended for high-value sales.
Free Virginia Motor Vehicle Bill of Sale Template
This template opens in Google Docs. Click Use Template to save a copy to your Drive, fill it out digitally, or print and complete by hand.
How to Fill Out the Template
Enter the seller’s name exactly as it appears on the Certificate of Title. Enter the buyer’s name and address exactly as they want it on the new title.
In Section 3, copy the VIN character by character. Enter the full agreed purchase price in Section 4 — Virginia calculates 4.15% sales tax on this figure or NADA trade-in value, whichever is higher.
Both parties sign Section 11. The seller also completes Section A on the front of the Virginia title.
For a complete field-by-field walkthrough of every section, see: How to Fill Out a Motor Vehicle Bill of Sale →
How to Transfer a Car Title in Virginia
Option 1 — Electronic Transfer Online
For eligible Virginia-titled vehicles, both buyer and seller complete the transfer at dmv.virginia.gov using their Virginia DMV online accounts. No office visit or mailing required. Both must create or log in to a DMV account.
Option 2 — In Person or By Mail
Within 30 days of purchase, visit any Virginia DMV customer service center (or mail to DMV Attn: Titles and Registration Work Center, P.O. Box 27412, Richmond, VA 23269) with the signed title, this bill of sale, Form VSA 17A (Application for Title and Registration), safety/emissions inspection certificates, proof of Virginia insurance, valid Virginia ID, and payment for 4.15% tax and title/registration fees.
Lost Title
Apply for a duplicate title at any Virginia DMV customer service center or online before proceeding. Contact the Virginia DMV at dmv.virginia.gov.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, for eligible Virginia-titled vehicles. Virginia’s electronic title transfer program lets both buyer and seller transfer ownership entirely online at dmv.virginia.gov using their DMV online accounts. It’s one of the most convenient private-party transfer options in the country.
4.15% motor vehicle sales and use tax on the purchase price or the NADA trade-in value — whichever is greater. Proof of the purchase price is required to use the actual sale price as the tax basis. Without proof, the DMV calculates tax on NADA trade-in value.
30 days from the date of purchase or from establishing Virginia residency. Fines apply after 30 days. The buyer must apply for a Certificate of Title and registration within this window.
Yes. Vehicles must pass a Virginia safety inspection before the title transfer can be completed. An emissions inspection is also required in Arlington, Fairfax, Loudoun, Prince William, and Stafford counties and several northern Virginia cities.
Not for standard private party sales. A notarized Affidavit of Vehicle Purchase Price (Form SUT 1A) may be required for newer vehicles sold significantly below market value. For all other sales, notarization is optional but recommended for high-value transactions.
Yes. Virginia accepts any handwritten bill of sale signed by the seller and purchaser, a buyer’s order, or the Vehicle Price Certification (Form SUT 1). No specific state-issued form is required. The purchase price must be documented to establish the tax basis.
This template and all information on this page are provided for informational purposes only and do not constitute legal advice. Contact the Virginia DMV at dmv.virginia.gov to confirm current requirements before completing your transaction.