What Paperwork Do You Need to Sell a Car?

Having the right paperwork ready makes selling a car quick and painless — whether it's a clean daily driver or a non-running junker. Here's the simple checklist.

The title. This is the big one: signed over to the buyer, it transfers ownership. If you've lost it, your DMV can issue a duplicate, and for junk vehicles many buyers accept alternate proof of ownership instead.

A photo ID. A valid government-issued ID that matches the name on the title and registration.

Current registration. It proves the car is yours and helps verify ownership — especially useful when the title is missing.

A bill of sale. This records the sale: date, price, the parties, the VIN, and that the car is sold as-is. It protects both sides and is required in some states.

A lien release, if the car was financed. If there was a loan, you'll need proof it's paid off and the lien released before the title can transfer.

A couple of easy-to-forget steps: in most states your license plates stay with you, so remove them, and cancel or transfer your insurance after the sale is done.

For junk or cash sales the requirements are often lighter — your ID and registration may be enough — but rules vary by state, so a good buyer will tell you exactly what applies to your situation. Selling or junking a car? Get a fast quote and we'll walk you through the paperwork.