YES! But Only With a Proper Motor Vehicle Power of Attorney (POA)
At CarBuyerUSA, we work with families every day who need to sell a parent’s or relative’s vehicle. Whether your dad is elderly, out of state, busy, or simply prefers you to handle everything, we can absolutely buy the car as long as you have the correct paperwork. Here’s exactly what you need to know before you start.
Yes—You Can Sell Your Dad’s Car, But Only With a Motor Vehicle POA
A vehicle title is a legal ownership document. That means your dad is the only person legally allowed to sign it. unless he gives you the proper authority. To sell his vehicle on his behalf, you must have a Motor Vehicle Power of Attorney that specifically authorizes you to sign for all motor-vehicle-related paperwork, which must be signed and notarized by a Notary Public.
Verbal permission, text messages, or handwritten notes are not valid. The DMV will not accept them, and neither will any reputable buyer. The POA is the only way to legally transfer ownership when the titled owner cannot be present.
What We Require at CarBuyerUSA
To make the sale smooth and compliant with state law, here’s what we must have:
1. A Clear Photo of the Motor Vehicle POA (uploaded during the offer process)
We review the POA ahead of time so there are no surprises. This lets us confirm:
- The document is properly signed
- Any required notarization is complete
- You are the authorized agent
2. The Original Motor Vehicle POA Along With Photo ID of Title Holder and the Person Signing as the POA
A photo is not enough for final transfer. State laws require the original document, and we must submit it with the title paperwork to legally process the sale.
3. The Physical Title (or authority to obtain a duplicate with the POA)
We also need the original paper title at the time of pickup. If the title is missing, your Motor Vehicle POA may allow you to order a duplicate from the DMV before the sale.
Once you have these documents ready, we can handle everything else for you.
Why the POA Matters
When you sell a vehicle on behalf of someone else, everything must be done by the book. Without a proper Motor Vehicle POA:
- You cannot legally sign the title
- You cannot legally complete odometer disclosures
- DMV will reject the transfer
- Liability stays with the titled owner
- You could expose yourself to legal trouble
With the POA, however, you can sign on behalf of your dad with full legal authority.
How CarBuyerUSA Makes the Process Easy
Once you upload a photo of the POA and accept your offer, we take the stress off your plate:
- We assign you a dedicated paperwork specialist
- We verify the POA and Photo ID’s
- You hand over the original POA and title
- We pay you fast—often the same day
- We handle all DMV filings and liability transfer
We’ve streamlined this process so you can sell the car safely, quickly, and without confusion. When you’re ready to sell, CarBuyerUSA.com makes the process simple and fully compliant with state law.
And if you ever have questions about your paperwork, your Motor Vehicle POA, our team is always here to help. Just give us a call—we’re happy to walk you through every step.
