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Statutory Declaration of Vehicle Ownership Form

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Statutory Declaration of Vehicle Ownership

Government of Western Australia
Department of Transport
Driver and Vehicle Services
VL50
Last updated: 14/04/2014

* Please delete whichever is NOT applicable AND initial the deletion

NOTE: Please refer to the reverse side of this form for definitions and important information.

I,

do sincerely declare that *I / or

* am / is the owner of the vehicle

The odometer reading of this vehicle is * miles / kilometres.

$ was paid for this vehicle and I estimate the dutiable value to be $

The vehicle is in *poor / average / good condition and has a *manual / automatic transmission.

The vehicle has a factory fitted or Government approved immobiliser fitted and is fully operational Yes No

* This vehicle was acquired from

of on

OR I do not know the name of the person or company from which the vehicle was acquired because

I have not presented a proof of purchase document or a transfer advice form signed by the previous owner and myself because

I have not been able to contact the person from whom I purchased the vehicle because

I wish the vehicle licence to be transferred into *my name / company name and I make this solemn declaration by virtue of the Oaths, Affidavits and Statutory Declarations Act 2005.

DECLARED AT THIS DAY OF 20

SIGNATURE OF DECLARANT:

WARNING: It is an offence under the Duties Act 2008 to understate the Purchase Price or Dutiable Value of a vehicle (penalty - up to $20,000), or to provide false or misleading information in this declaration (penalty - up to 3 years imprisonment).

DECLARED BEFORE ME:

SURNAME

GIVEN NAME(S)

QUALIFICATION

SIGNATURE

Please see overleaf for information on who can witness a Statutory Declaration.

Note: Upon receipt of this declaration, the Department of Transport will undertake enquiries to establish your entitlement to transfer the vehicle licence.

OFFICE USE ONLY

When completed, do not process licence transfer. Please fax, then forward this form & certified copies of POI to:

Has Proof of Identity been sighted? Yes No

Type of POI

Site:

Operator Name:

Date:

Transfers and Plates Section
3rd Floor,
Public Transport Centre
West Parade
PERTH WA 6000
FAX: (08) 9427 8179

Immobiliser Requirements

The person who applies for transfer of the vehicle licence must ensure that an approved immobiliser is installed. Transfer fees and vehicle licence duty cannot be accepted if the applicant has not declared that an approved immobiliser is fitted to the vehicle and is operational. A false or misleading declaration will result in a fine. Vehicles that are 25 years or older, vehicles that have a tare weight over 3,000 kg or a ‘Gross Vehicle Mass’ or aggregate weight over 4,500 kg, motorcycles and some farm vehicles are exempt from the requirement to fit an immobiliser.

1. If an approved immobiliser is not fitted to the vehicle, you must have one fitted before you can transfer or licence the vehicle.

If you are unsure, contact your local immobiliser installer, visit www.transport.wa.gov.au/dvs or call Driver and Vehicle Services on 13 11 56, or

2. If the vehicle is already fitted with an approved immobiliser, you must confirm that it is an approved device. An approved immobiliser is:

• ‘Factory fitted’ (i.e. fitted at the time of manufacture). The vehicle owner’s handbook should confirm this.

• Self arming (i.e. devices which automatically arm themselves without any assistance from the driver and prevents the vehicle from being started).

If you are unsure about whether the vehicle immobiliser installed is approved, check with your nearest installer, visit www.transport.wa.gov.au/dvs or call Driver and Vehicle Services on 13 11 56.

Definitions - Dutiable Value

The term “dutiable value” is defined by Division 5 of the Duties Act 2008 the following interpretation is provided as a guide only.

New Vehicle: For a new vehicle (which includes a demonstration model that has been used for that purpose for not more than 2 months) that is a motor car, motor wagon or motorcycle, the list price, plus the price fixed by the manufacturer, importer or principal distributor as the additional retail selling price in Western Australia for a particular type of transmission fitted to the vehicle.

Used Vehicle: In relation to used vehicles - the amount for which the vehicle might reasonably be sold, free of encumbrance, in the open market.

List Price means the price that has been fixed by the manufacturer, importer or principal distributor as the retail selling price of that vehicle in Western Australia.

Does the vehicle have money owing on it? The Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) can advise you if money is owed on a licensed second-hand car, motorcycle or self-propelled farm vehicle. Visit www.ppsr.gov.au or call 1300 007 777.

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What a Statutory Declaration of Vehicle Ownership Form Is

A Statutory Declaration of Vehicle Ownership Form is a sworn written statement used to declare legal ownership or possession of a motor vehicle when standard title documentation is missing, incomplete, or contested. The declarant signs under penalty of perjury to attest facts such as purchase date, vehicle identification number (VIN), mileage, and any transfer history. Courts, motor vehicle agencies, and insurers commonly accept such declarations with required authentication (notarization or witnessing). Electronic completion and secure e-signatures are generally allowed under the ESIGN Act (15 U.S.C. ch. 96) and UETA where adopted, subject to any statutory exceptions.

Why this Form Matters and When to Use It

A statutory declaration provides a legally recognized record of ownership facts when a title, bill of sale, or manufacturer's certificate of origin is unavailable or incomplete.

Why this Form Matters and When to Use It

Who Typically Completes a Vehicle Ownership Declaration

Individuals and organizations use this form when standard title paperwork is missing, ambiguous, or needs formal attestation before a government agency or insurer.

  • Private sellers and buyers resolving title gaps during a sale or registration, especially for older vehicles or private-party transfers.
  • Dealers and auction houses documenting chain of custody when original paperwork is delayed or not provided.
  • Estate representatives or legal agents certifying ownership for decedent vehicles to complete probate or transfer processes.

The form is also used by dealers, estate executors, lienholders, and buyers who need a sworn statement to support transfer, registration, or insurance claims.

Essential Components of a Professional Statutory Declaration

A complete declaration is structured to be clear, precise, and legally defensible; include identifying information, a sworn statement of facts, signature and authentication blocks, and attachments that corroborate the claim.

Header

Document title and a brief purpose statement identifying that this is a statutory declaration under applicable state law.

Declarant Details

Full legal name, mailing address, contact information, and relationship to the vehicle (owner, buyer, agent) so attribution is clear.

Vehicle Details

VIN, make, model, year, odometer reading, and any distinguishing features to tie the statement to a unique vehicle.

Statement of Facts

A concise, numbered list of factual assertions about how and when ownership was acquired, including purchase price and supporting circumstances.

Authentication

Signature block with date, notary or witness lines, and space for seals or electronic notarization evidence if required.

Attachments

Supporting documents such as bill of sale, repair receipts, registration history, or correspondence that corroborate the declaration.

Core Data Fields Required on the Form

Declarant Name: Full legal name
Contact Address: Street, city, state, ZIP
Vehicle ID: VIN
Vehicle Description: Year, make, model
Ownership Basis: Purchase or gift
Date Signed: MM/DD/YYYY

Step-by-Step: Completing the Declaration

Follow a clear sequence: gather documents, fill vehicle and declarant details, write a concise factual statement, sign with required authentication, and attach supporting evidence.

  • 01
    Gather Documents: Collect bills of sale, registrations, repair receipts, and any correspondence.
  • 02
    Complete Details: Enter VIN, make, model, year, and declarant contact information accurately.
  • 03
    Draft Statement: Describe how ownership arose, dates, and relevant transaction terms in numbered points.
  • 04
    Authenticate: Sign before a notary or required witnesses; retain copies and attachments.

How to Customize and Complete This Form Online

When completing the form digitally, configure fields, signer order, and authentication to match the required legal and agency standards for your state.

Field Configuration
Declarant Name Require exact-match validation and autofill where possible
VIN Field Fixed-length 17-character validation with uppercase normalization
Signature Require signer authentication and timestamped signature
Attachments Allow PDF/JPEG uploads and required file type checks

Where to File or Submit the Completed Declaration

The submission destination depends on purpose: DMV for title/registration, insurer for claims, or court/agency where proof of ownership is required.

  • DMV Submission: Attach to title application or bring with transfer forms per local DMV rules.
  • Insurance Claims: Send as supporting evidence for ownership-based claim settlements.
  • Court Filings: File as an affidavit or exhibit where ownership is disputed in litigation.
  • Third Parties: Provide to lienholders or auction houses to document chain of custody.

Distribution and eSubmission Options

You can distribute the form by in-person handoff, postal mail, secure email attachment, or through an e-signature platform with verification and audit trail.

  • Email Attachment: Suitable for initial review; may not meet notarization needs
  • Certified Mail: Provides delivery proof and traceable chain
  • eSignature Platform: Captures timestamps, IP, and optional authentication

Timelines, Deadlines, and Processing Expectations

Turnaround depends on agency workloads and whether notarization or supplemental evidence is required; plan for additional processing time when documents must be reviewed or verified.

Immediate Use:

Some DMVs accept declarations same day with in-person submission

Postal Processing:

Allow 7–14 business days when mailing with certificates

Notarization Delay:

Add scheduling time for notarization or remote online notary sessions

Agency Verification:

Allow 2–6 weeks for title searches or lien checks in some jurisdictions

Insurance Processing:

Insurer review may take 10–30 business days for complex claims

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Entering an incorrect VIN or transposed digit, which prevents matching to vehicle records and causes rejections.
  • Signing before required authentication (notary or witness) resulting in a form invalid for the receiving agency.
  • Using vague ownership language such as 'I believe' rather than precise factual statements with dates and amounts.
  • Failing to attach corroborating documents like bills of sale, repair receipts, or previous registrations requested by the agency.

Legal Risks and Penalties for False Statements

Perjury Exposure: Criminal perjury risk
Civil Liability: Fraud or damages claims
Registration Denial: Title application refused
Insurance Denial: Claim may be denied
Fines: State administrative fines
Record Flagging: Potential lien/title holds

How This Declaration Differs from Similar Documents

Compare common document types to choose the right form: statutory declaration, bill of sale, affidavit of ownership, and vehicle title application serve different legal functions.

Document Type Use Case Typical Authentication
Statutory Declaration prove ownership when title missing notary or witnesses
Bill of Sale record transfer of ownership seller and buyer signatures
Affidavit of Ownership sworn ownership statements for disputes notary-required
Title Application request new title from dmv agency-specific forms

eSignature Vendor Comparison for Completing and Submitting This Form

Select an eSignature provider that supports notarization, audit trails, and the authentication level your receiving agency requires. Pricing and features vary by plan and vendor.

signNow DocuSign Adobe Sign PandaDoc HelloSign
Starting Price $8/user/mo $15/user/mo $14/user/mo $19/user/mo $15/user/mo
Free Trial 7-day free trial Varies by plan Varies by plan Varies by plan Varies by plan
Bulk Send Yes Yes Yes Yes No
Audit Trail Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
HIPAA Compliant Yes Yes Yes No No
Envelope Cap No envelope cap 100 envelopes/user/year Varies by plan Varies by plan Varies by plan

Real-World Scenarios Where a Declaration Is Used

These short examples show typical situations and what the declaration accomplishes in practice.

Private-Party Sale

Buyer lacks original title and needs proof of ownership to register

  • Declarant provides sworn purchase details with receipts
  • The DMV accepted the declaration plus a bill of sale and issued a bonded title after lien searches confirmed clear title.

Estate Transfer

Executor needs to transfer an older vehicle with no available title

  • Executor signs on behalf of estate and attaches probate papers
  • The county motor vehicle office used the declaration and probate documentation to reissue registration in the estate's name.

Frequently Asked Questions and Troubleshooting

Answers to common questions about completing, authenticating, and submitting a Statutory Declaration of Vehicle Ownership Form.


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