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What Is a Bill of Sale in the District of Columbia?

The District of Columbia bill of sale is a legal document documenting ownership transfers in Washington, D.C. Private sellers and buyers identify themselves and the item that is being sold in the form. They sign it to confirm that the sale has taken place. The forms can apply to different types of transactions for any imaginable items, including jewelry and art. The most commonly made deals include the following items:

  • Vehicles
  • Vessels
  • Firearms

All of the above are usually expensive items. Moreover, a firearm or a vehicle sale without a proper registration or titling procedure can lead to unwanted consequences if the buyer mishandles the item.

You are not required to create a bill of sale for all transactions in the District of Columbia, but you should have one when selling or buying a watercraft.

A basic bill of sale in the District of Columbia incorporates the next points:

  • Seller’s details
  • Buyer’s details
  • Product description
  • Selling price and date
  • Signatures

The order and the exact content of a bill of sale may depend on the particular bill of sale type, usually corresponding to the kind of item being sold and the state where the deal is taking place.

District of Columbia Bill of Sale Types

You can choose the District of Columbia bill of sale form that fits your transaction, depending on the type of item you are selling or buying. The following forms are used in the District of Columbia.

District of Columbia Vehicle Bill of Sale

A vehicle bill of sale is not required in the District of Columbia but is a useful legal tool for documenting the sale of a car or a different motor vehicle.

District of Columbia Watercraft Bill of Sale

The watercraft bill of sale in Washington, D.C. is similar in content to the vehicle bill of sale. It is required to have a bill of sale when registering a boat.

District of Columbia Firearm Bill of Sale

Both parties should be careful when buying or selling a firearm in any state. A bill of sale becomes a receipt and proof of a firearm transaction taking place between the parties on a specific date.

Creating a Bill of Sale in the District of Columbia

Take advantage of our form-building software to create the form that you need for your deal. The template will ask for the next steps to be followed:

  • Specify the Seller’s and the Purchaser’s Details.

You will be asked to include the full names and addresses of both parties first.

  • Describe the Sold Item.

Always include such details as the make, model, and year of manufacture of the item for it to be easily identified. The forms will also ask for an identification number, which differs depending on the type of item.

  • Put the Price and Date.

Any bill of sale must contain the date and the selling price.

  • Provide Signatures.

Both parties should sign the bill of sale to make it valid.

Why Do I Need a Bill of Sale?

There are many purposes a bill of sale can serve. It documents the transaction and all the major details, such as the price and the date. This can be used in the future if an accident occurs for a quick proof of transfer of the ownership, especially if the buyer has not gone through the registering procedure.

District of Columbia Laws and Requirements

To register a vehicle in the District of Columbia, you will not need a bill of sale. The buyer just needs to visit the District of Columbia Department of Motor Vehicles service center with their proof of identification and proof of residence, certificate of inspection, title, and confirmation of insurance.

The District of Columbia requires that all vessels should be registered. Obtain a completed title and submit a registration application, together with your bill of sale. Contact the Boat Registration Office if you need more information.

In the District of Columbia, you need to register any firearm. You will first need to receive a registration permit from the Metropolitan Police Department.

Do I Need to Have a Bill of Sale to Register a Vehicle, Watercraft, or Firearm in the District of Columbia?

These documents apply to different kinds of objects, including expensive or potentially dangerous ones. In these cases, having a bill of sale is especially beneficial because it is a quick and straightforward way of securing a deal by obtaining proof of changing the ownership.

Bills of sales are typically voluntary for transactions made in the District of Columbia, apart from watercraft deals, where it may be needed when registering the vessel. Even though these legal papers are not necessarily required for every private purchase in the District of Columbia, most lawyers would recommend creating one anyway.