Washington, D.C. Dog Bill of Sale
Washington, D.C. requires a bill of sale in common situations, such as when the title does not show the purchase price. Fill in the form below and download a free, one-page Washington, D.C. dog bill of sale PDF that includes everything the District of Columbia Department of Motor Vehicles looks for. Nothing you type leaves your browser.
Seller
Buyer
Dog details
Price and terms
How to sell a dog in Washington, D.C.
A dog bill of sale records the sale of a puppy or adult dog with the breed, sex, date of birth, color, microchip and registration, plus the price and any health guarantee. Breeders use it for every puppy; private sellers use it so the new owner has proof of ownership for vets, registries and licensing.
Seller steps
- Confirm you hold clear title. If a lender is on the title, get the lien release before you list it.
- Agree on the price and fill in the Washington, D.C. dog bill of sale above with the buyer. Record the serial number.
- Both parties sign and each keeps a copy. Washington, D.C. does not require a notary.
- Hand over any registration papers, manuals, receipts or health records that go with the dog.
- Hand over the dog and keep your signed copy of the bill of sale for your records.
Buyer steps
- Check the description against the dog itself before you sign.
- Keep the signed bill of sale with your records; it is your proof of ownership and purchase price.
- Transfer any registration papers and update the microchip or brand records in your name.
Before you sign
- Record the microchip number and update the chip registry after the sale.
- List vaccinations given and the next due dates.
- If there is a health guarantee or a spay/neuter requirement, write it in the terms.
- Breeders: keep a signed copy with the litter records.
Why a bill of sale matters for a dog
- Proof of ownership for licensing, vet records and microchip registration.
- Registries like the AKC require the breeder's signature to transfer.
- Records the health guarantee, or the lack of one, in writing.
- Settles a dispute if the dog is lost or claimed by someone else.
Want both parties to walk away with a signed copy and a notary page ready? The $9 ready-to-sign pack adds them.
Washington, D.C. at a glance
- Bill of sale
- Required in common cases
- Notary
- Notarization optional
- Official state form
- None published; any signed bill of sale is accepted
- Where the buyer registers
- District of Columbia Department of Motor Vehicles (dmv.dc.gov)
- License plates
- Stay with seller
DC DMV says buyers in a private sale should obtain a bill of sale, and all owners must be listed on the title, the bill of sale and any lien paperwork. The District charges excise tax at titling, with a gift exemption form for family transfers. Private-sale titling can be done through a hybrid online and mail process.
Checked October 2026 against the state's own guidance. Rules change; confirm before you file.
Other Washington, D.C. forms
- Washington, D.C. Vehicle Bill of Sale
- Washington, D.C. Motorcycle Bill of Sale
- Washington, D.C. Boat Bill of Sale
- Washington, D.C. Trailer Bill of Sale
- Washington, D.C. Firearm Bill of Sale
- Washington, D.C. Mobile Home Bill of Sale
- Washington, D.C. RV Bill of Sale
- Washington, D.C. ATV / UTV Bill of Sale
- Washington, D.C. Dirt Bike Bill of Sale
- Washington, D.C. Golf Cart Bill of Sale
- Washington, D.C. Jet Ski Bill of Sale
- Washington, D.C. Snowmobile Bill of Sale
- Washington, D.C. Scooter / Moped Bill of Sale
- Washington, D.C. Equipment Bill of Sale
- Washington, D.C. Tractor Bill of Sale
- Washington, D.C. Horse Bill of Sale
- Washington, D.C. Livestock Bill of Sale
- Washington, D.C. General Bill of Sale
- Washington, D.C. Business Bill of Sale
Dog Bill of Sale in other states
Washington, D.C. dog bill of sale questions
Is a bill of sale required to sell a dog in Washington, D.C.?+
Washington, D.C. requires a bill of sale in common situations, such as when the title does not show the purchase price. DC DMV says buyers in a private sale should obtain a bill of sale, and all owners must be listed on the title, the bill of sale and any lien paperwork. The District charges excise tax at titling, with a gift exemption form for family transfers. Private-sale titling can be done through a hybrid online and mail process. Washington, D.C. has no mandatory form, so any complete, signed bill of sale like the one generated here is accepted.
Does a Washington, D.C. dog bill of sale need to be notarized?+
Washington, D.C. does not require notarization. Two signatures are enough. If you want extra certainty, the ready-to-sign pack includes a notary acknowledgment page you can use anyway.
Does the buyer need to file a dog bill of sale in Washington, D.C.?+
No. Dogs and puppies are not titled or registered with the state, so there is nothing to file. The signed bill of sale is the ownership record; each party keeps a copy.
Is a dog bill of sale legally binding?+
Yes. Dogs are personal property in every state, and a signed bill of sale is a contract that proves the sale and its terms.
Should a puppy bill of sale include a health guarantee?+
Most breeders include one, often 48 to 72 hours for a vet check and one to two years for genetic conditions. Write the terms in the extra terms field; without them the sale is as-is.