--- title: "Virginia Car Title Transfer: Notary, Forms & Deadline | MCC" description: "Selling a car in Virginia: seller notary not in the steps, buyer has 30 days, bill of sale, plates and fees, from the agency's own pages." url: "https://mcc-solutionsnj.com/notary/car-title-transfer-virginia" --- Car title transfer · Virginia # Virginia car title transfer What the seller and buyer sign, whether a notary is needed, and what Virginia DMV says about the bill of sale, the deadline, plates, fees and reporting the sale. ✓ New Jersey commissioned notary, no. 50244803, insured for errors and omissions. [See the credentials](/about/credentials) **Short answer.** Virginia DMV's seller steps: print and sign as seller (every owner on the title signs); no notary step. The buyer has 30 days to title the car. Plates stay with the seller. ## At a glance Seller's signature Virginia DMV's seller steps: print and sign as seller (every owner on the title signs); no notary step. Buyer's signature The buyer signs and prints their full name as buyer in Section A of a Virginia title; no notary step. Bill of sale As proof of the price, a bill of sale can be a handwritten statement signed by both parties. Odometer The odometer reading comes from the vehicle itself; no guessing. Buyer's deadline The new owner applies for a title within 30 days of the purchase. Plates The seller removes the plates before the buyer takes the vehicle. Title fee $15 titling fee, plus sales and use tax. Seller's report The seller notifies DMV of the sale. Agency Virginia DMV ## If you're selling - **Find the title and clear any lien.** Have the original title in hand. If a lender is listed, get the lien release or the lender's sign-off before the sale; the buyer can't title the car over an open lien. - **Sign the title over.** Virginia DMV's seller steps: print and sign as seller (every owner on the title signs); no notary step. Don't sign until the buyer is ready, and write in the buyer's name and the sale date exactly. - **Write down the mileage.** The odometer reading comes from the vehicle itself; no guessing. - **Give the buyer a bill of sale.** As proof of the price, a bill of sale can be a handwritten statement signed by both parties. - **Deal with the plates.** The seller removes the plates before the buyer takes the vehicle. - **Report the sale.** The seller notifies DMV of the sale. - **Cancel insurance and keep copies.** Once the car is gone and the plates are off, call your insurer. Keep a photo of the signed title, the bill of sale and any sale report. ## If you're buying - **Check the title against the car and the seller.** The VIN on the title should match the car, and the seller's ID should match the owner's name on the title. Ask about any lien listed on it. - **Watch the title get signed.** Seller: Virginia DMV's seller steps: print and sign as seller (every owner on the title signs); no notary step. Buyer: The buyer signs and prints their full name as buyer in Section A of a Virginia title; no notary step. - **Get a bill of sale.** As proof of the price, a bill of sale can be a handwritten statement signed by both parties. - **Check the mileage entry.** The odometer reading comes from the vehicle itself; no guessing. - **Insure the car before you drive it.** Most states require insurance to register. Arrange it before driving away. - **Title it in your name in time.** The new owner applies for a title within 30 days of the purchase. - **Plates and fees.** The seller removes the plates before the buyer takes the vehicle. Title fee: $15 titling fee, plus sales and use tax. Sold on the first of a month? [See the due date for a December 1, 2026 sale](/notary/selling-a-car-checklist-by-state?state=va&role=buyer&date=2026-12-01). Your own checklist, marked step by step: [seller](/notary/selling-a-car-checklist-by-state?state=va&role=seller) · [buyer](/notary/selling-a-car-checklist-by-state?state=va&role=buyer). ## In the agency's words **Seller** "Print and sign your name as seller(s) - all owners listed on the title must sign" **Buyer** "Sign and print your full name as the "buyer" in Section A of the title" **Bill of sale** "The bill of sale can be a handwritten statement signed by the seller and purchaser" **Deadline** "Any person, within 30 days of purchase or moving into Virginia, shall apply for a certificate of ownership." **Plates** "The seller should remove the license plates from the vehicle before allowing the buyer to take possession of the vehicle" **Report of sale** "You must notify DMV you have sold, traded or donated your vehicle." ## Official sources - [Virginia DMV: Buying/Selling a Vehicle](https://www.dmv.virginia.gov/vehicles/buy-sell) (checked November 2026) - [Virginia DMV: Title Your Vehicle or Trailer](https://www.dmv.virginia.gov/vehicles/title) (checked November 2026) - [Virginia DMV Vehicle Licensing Guide VLIC-3.000: Titling a Motor Vehicle](https://select.dmv.virginia.gov/select/help/vlic/vlic3000.pdf) (checked November 2026) General information, not legal advice; we are not lawyers. Checked November 2026 against the official pages listed above. Forms, fees and deadlines change, a county office can add its own steps, and gifts, estates, liens and out-of-state titles follow other rules; the agency or an attorney can tell you how a rule applies to your sale. MCC Solutions is not affiliated with any motor vehicle agency. ## Common questions **Does the seller's signature on a Virginia title need a notary?** Virginia DMV's seller steps: print and sign as seller (every owner on the title signs); no notary step. The agency's page: "Print and sign your name as seller(s) - all owners listed on the title must sign." **Does the buyer sign in front of a notary in Virginia?** The buyer signs and prints their full name as buyer in Section A of a Virginia title; no notary step. **How long does a buyer have to title a car in Virginia?** 30 days. The new owner applies for a title within 30 days of the purchase. **Is a bill of sale required in Virginia?** As proof of the price, a bill of sale can be a handwritten statement signed by both parties. **Do the plates go with the car in Virginia?** The seller removes the plates before the buyer takes the vehicle. **Does a Virginia seller have to report the sale?** The seller notifies DMV of the sale. All states: [car title notarization by state](/notary/car-title-notarization-by-state) · [Utah](/notary/car-title-transfer-utah) · [Washington](/notary/car-title-transfer-washington) ## Need a vehicle title notarized in New Jersey? [See vehicle title notary](/notary/vehicle-title-notary)[Call (908) 444-6373](tel:+19084446373)