What is a Minnesota Bill of Sale?
While Minnesota does not always require it, the bill of sale is an important document that validates the transfer of ownership when making a major purchase such as a car. A motor vehicle bill of sale form can be a generic form that adheres to state guidelines, or your state may have a specific form available through the Division of Motor Vehicles.For practical and legal reasons, a bill of sale can save the purchaser from running into any problems while obtaining insurance, a new Certificate of Title or registration. Mainly, the document ensures the new owner of the car has proof that the specific vehicle was purchased from the previous owner or a licensed dealership. Various states use the DMV bill of sale to determine sales and use taxes based on information contained in the sale document, such as make, model, year and mileage.
Is a Motor Vehicle Bill of Sale Necessary in Minnesota?
The state of Minnesota does not require a motor vehicle bill of sale to obtain a registration for a newly purchased vehicle if the Certificate of Title has been transferred to the new owner from the previous owner. To complete a transfer using the Certificate of Title, the new owner must mail the signed title with transfer fees to the state’s Department of Vehicle Services. However, Minnesota does require that a DMV bill of sale be completed at the time of the transfer in order to obtain a new Certificate of Title due to misplacement or loss. The motor vehicle bill of sale then proves ownership and acts as a receipt to the purchaser.
DMV Bill of Sale Information
As a purchaser or a seller, information that should appear on the DMV bill of sale includes:
- The name and address of the seller and the purchaser
- Amount paid to the seller
- Accurate odometer reading
- Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
- Make, model, year, series number, body type
- Date of sale
- Seller and purchaser signatures