Can a Vehicle Be Transferred Without a Purchase Invoice?
4 Answers
It is possible to transfer a vehicle without a purchase invoice. The required documents for vehicle transfer include the ID card of the vehicle owner, the 'Motor Vehicle Registration Certificate,' the vehicle license, and the 'Motor Vehicle Change/Registration Application Form.' When the ownership of a registered motor vehicle is transferred, the new owner must apply for a transfer registration at the local vehicle management office within 30 days from the date of vehicle delivery. For a vehicle transfer, there must be a legal source and proper procedures, no outstanding bank liens or court seizure records, no unresolved traffic violations or accident records, no outstanding fee arrears, and all documents must be complete. Completing the transfer legally ensures the transfer of vehicle ownership, guarantees the legality of the vehicle's source, clarifies the responsibilities of both the buyer and seller regarding the vehicle (such as debt disputes or traffic violations), and protects the legitimate rights and interests of both parties.
I've dealt with similar situations before. Actually, you can still transfer ownership without the car purchase invoice, but you'll need other supplementary documents. Specifically, you'll need a copy of the original owner's ID card, the vehicle registration certificate (the big green book), and the vehicle purchase tax payment certificate. The most crucial part is having the original owner personally accompany you to the DMV to sign a statement explaining the reason for the invoice loss. The process takes about two weeks longer than a normal transfer because it requires a 7-day public notice in the newspaper for the lost invoice. The additional cost is around 200 yuan, mainly for the invoice reissuance fee. I recommend calling your local DMV before proceeding with the transfer, as some cities now offer online channels for reissuing documents.
I have firsthand experience in this matter, having assisted a friend with the transfer of a used car without an invoice last year. The core documents required by the DMV were the vehicle registration certificate, the original owner's ID proof, plus a signed sales contract by both parties. For the missing invoice, we had to fill out a Vehicle Origin Affidavit, mainly affirming that the car was not stolen. The most time-consuming part was obtaining a replacement invoice, which required visiting the tax bureau to issue a used car sales invoice, along with preparing the vehicle inspection record and an old car evaluation report. The entire process involved two trips to the tax bureau and three to the DMV, taking nearly half a month in total.
Theoretically, transfer of ownership is possible without the original invoice, but practical implementation depends on three key factors: first, the vehicle's age—strict controls apply to cars under five years old; second, whether the original owner cooperates; and third, the leniency of local policies. Required documents include the registration certificate, IDs of both parties, and compulsory insurance policy—none can be omitted. Special reminder: prepare the buyer's residence permit or temporary residence permit, as non-local registrations complicate the process. It's advisable to visit the DMV in advance for file verification to confirm the vehicle has no liens or abnormal status. For reissuance, the seller must provide a notarized statement of invoice loss.
