You need the vehicle title and a valid photo ID to sell a junk car in most states. Some states also require the current registration or a bill of sale. The title proves ownership and allows legal transfer to the buyer. Without proper paperwork, you may receive a lower offer or face delays.
Standard paperwork requirements:
- Vehicle title (signed by all owners listed)
- Valid government-issued photo ID
- Current registration (required in some states)
- Bill of sale (provided by buyer or created at pickup)
Additional documents that may be needed:
- Lien release (if the loan is paid off but lien shows on title)
- Power of attorney (if selling on behalf of someone else)
- Death certificate and probate documents (if owner is deceased)
- Duplicate title application (if original is lost)
Title requirements vary by state. Some states use two-part titles where you keep a portion. Others require notarization. A few states allow bill of sale transfers for older or low-value vehicles.
If your title is lost, you can request a duplicate from your state DMV. This typically costs $10 to $30 and takes a few days to a few weeks. Many junk car buyers, including Junk Car Medics, can guide you through the process or work with you while the replacement is in progress.
Gather your paperwork before getting quotes. Buyers offer more for cars with clean titles and complete documentation. Learn whether you can sell without a title if yours is missing.
