Vehicle Paperwork Guides

A vehicle title (also called a certificate of title) is the legal document that establishes ownership of a motor vehicle. It is issued by your state's motor vehicle agency and is required for most vehicle transactions.

Last reviewed: 2026-01-01

A vehicle bill of sale is a written document that records the details of a private vehicle sale. It identifies the buyer, seller, vehicle, sale price, and date of the transaction. Some states require it; most experts recommend it even when it is not required.

Last reviewed: 2026-01-01

An odometer disclosure statement is a written declaration of a vehicle's mileage at the time of sale. It is required by federal law (the Truth in Mileage Act) for most vehicles. Sellers must accurately report the odometer reading, and falsifying it is a federal offense.

Last reviewed: 2026-01-01

A lien release (also called a lien satisfaction letter) is a document from a lender confirming that a vehicle loan has been paid in full and the lender no longer has a legal claim on the vehicle. Without a lien release, you cannot transfer a clean title to a buyer.

Last reviewed: 2026-01-01

A release of liability (also called a notice of sale or notice of transfer) is a form you submit to your state's motor vehicle agency after selling a vehicle. It removes your legal responsibility for the vehicle once the sale is complete.

Last reviewed: 2026-01-01

In most states, you cannot legally sell a vehicle without a title. The title is the legal proof of ownership and is required to transfer the vehicle to a new owner. There are limited exceptions and workarounds, but they depend on the state and vehicle.

Last reviewed: 2026-01-01

A private vehicle sale involves more paperwork than most people expect. Use this checklist to make sure both the buyer and seller are prepared for a smooth, legal transaction.

Last reviewed: 2026-01-01

In a private vehicle sale, both buyer and seller have paperwork responsibilities. Confusing the two is a common source of problems. This guide clarifies who does what.

Last reviewed: 2026-01-01

A salvage title is a designation applied to a vehicle that has been declared a total loss by an insurance company — typically because the cost of repair exceeds a threshold percentage of the vehicle's value (commonly 75–80%). The threshold varies by state.

Last reviewed: 2026-01-01

Title jumping (also called title skipping or floating a title) occurs when a vehicle is sold and the buyer skips registering the title in their own name before selling to a third party. The original seller's name remains on the title even after multiple sales.

Last reviewed: 2026-01-01