# Registering a vehicle without the Bill of Sale **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [October 9, 2007, 3:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/registering-a-vehicle-without-the-bill-of-sale/422035 "2007-10-09T03:42:56Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![monstro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ba9def/32.png) [@monstro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/monstro)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2007, 3:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/registering-a-vehicle-without-the-bill-of-sale/422035/1 "2007-10-09T03:42:56Z")
I have to title my car in Virginia, and according to the DMV website, in addition to having the original title (which I have), I also have to have proof of purchase, e.g., a bill of sale. I don’t have it. I lost it a long time ago (I didn’t know I was supposed to keep it forever and ever…they don’t teach you these things in school). My title certificate doesn’t have the amount I paid for the car printed on it, as I’m guessing some do. Unfortunately I bought the car from a private individual–someone I have very little desire reestablishing contact with. I don’t know what to do. Any ideas? ---
**Author:** ![LVgeogeek](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/b19c9b/32.png) [@LVgeogeek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LVgeogeek)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2007, 3:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/registering-a-vehicle-without-the-bill-of-sale/422035/2 "2007-10-09T03:59:05Z")
I am assuming they want the bill of sale to establish how much taxes to charge you. Worst case scenario, they will charge you for the tax on the based original MSRP of the vehicle. Just tell the DMV it was a cash transaction when you bought the car and there was no actual bill of sale Similar thing happened to a friend of mine here in Nevada. ---
**Author:** ![Critical\_Mass](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f1d935/32.png) [@Critical\_Mass](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Critical_Mass)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2007, 4:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/registering-a-vehicle-without-the-bill-of-sale/422035/3 "2007-10-09T04:02:56Z")
Was this vehicle registered to you in another jurisdiction or are you registering it in your name for the first time anywhere? ---
**Author:** ![Genaro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/839c29/32.png) [@Genaro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Genaro)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2007, 5:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/registering-a-vehicle-without-the-bill-of-sale/422035/4 "2007-10-09T05:32:15Z")
[QUOTE=monstro] I have to title my car in Virginia, and according to the DMV website, in addition to having the original title (which I have), I also have to have proof of purchase, e.g., a bill of sale. I don’t have it. I lost it a long time ago (I didn’t know I was supposed to keep it forever and ever…they don’t teach you these things in school). My title certificate doesn’t have the amount I paid for the car printed on it, as I’m guessing some do. Unfortunately I bought the car from a private individual–someone I have very little desire reestablishing contact with. I don’t know what to do. Any ideas? [/QUOTE] In California, when I registered used cars, such as my current one, the DMV never asked for a bill of sale. When they did ask what I paid for it, for taxes, they took my word for it. I don’t know if this is common practice. ---
**Author:** ![Mama\_Zappa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/71e660/32.png) [@Mama\_Zappa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mama_Zappa)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2007, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/registering-a-vehicle-without-the-bill-of-sale/422035/5 "2007-10-09T16:21:38Z")
I’m reasonably certain I never had to provide a bill of sale when I registered our first car in VA; it was registered to me in NC. Is the car in question already registered to you? ---
**Author:** ![monstro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ba9def/32.png) [@monstro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/monstro)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2007, 11:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/registering-a-vehicle-without-the-bill-of-sale/422035/6 "2007-10-09T23:14:25Z")
[QUOTE=Mama Zappa] I’m reasonably certain I never had to provide a bill of sale when I registered our first car in VA; it was registered to me in NC. Is the car in question already registered to you? [/QUOTE] The website says I need a bill of sale (or other proof of purchase) to get my out-of-state title transfered to Virginia. So I don’t need the bill o’ sale to register the car. I need it to get a Virginia title certificate, which I need to register the car. ---
**Author:** ![Critical\_Mass](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f1d935/32.png) [@Critical\_Mass](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Critical_Mass)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2007, 1:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/registering-a-vehicle-without-the-bill-of-sale/422035/7 "2007-10-10T01:05:51Z")
There are provisions listed in section 2 of [this](http://www.dmv.state.va.us/webdoc/citizen/vehicles/titling.asp) page for registering a vehicle without proof of price paid.