Buying A Car Without A Title <Essential Workflow>

Exact purchase price, date, and location of the sale.

A statement from the seller explaining why the title is missing, who last possessed it, and confirming there are no outstanding liens or debts.

If you decide to proceed, you must create a paper trail—often referred to as a "proper paper"—to protect yourself and eventually secure a new title. 1. Essential "Proper Paper": The Ironclad Bill of Sale

This is the most critical identifier for your paperwork.