What to Bring When Buying a Used Car in St. Paul

You’ve found the used car you want. Now comes the paperwork part—and if you’re like most people, you’re wondering what you actually need to bring to close the deal without making a second trip back home.

The short answer: bring your ID, proof of insurance, and proof of income. Everything else depends on your situation—whether you’re paying cash, financing, trading in, or coming in pre-approved. Read on for a complete checklist so you’re not caught off guard on purchase day.

The Must-Have Documents: Every Buyer

These items are non-negotiable. You won’t drive off the lot without them.

Government-Issued ID

Your driver’s license is the standard. Make sure it’s not expired. If your Minnesota license is expired, you can still use it to buy the car, but you’ll need to renew it before driving. If you don’t have a current license, bring a passport or valid state ID.

Why it matters: we need to verify you are who you say you are. It’s also required for title and registration transfer.

Proof of Insurance

This is mandatory in Minnesota. Before you sign the title and drive away, you must have active auto insurance. This is a state requirement, not a dealership rule.

What counts:

• A current insurance policy declaration page (even if it’s for a different vehicle—you can switch the new car onto your policy)
• A quote from an insurer (bring written confirmation)
• Contact information for your insurer so we can verify coverage exists

Pro tip: Call your current auto insurer before coming in. Tell them the VIN and details of the vehicle you’re buying. They can often add it to your policy within minutes. Bring proof of that conversation or updated policy. If you don’t have insurance, shop quotes online or call a local Minnesota agent. It takes 15 minutes and can cost $80–$150 per month depending on coverage.

Proof of Residency

Bring one document showing your Minnesota address:

• Utility bill (electric, gas, water)
• Bank or credit card statement
• Lease agreement or mortgage statement
• Government mail (tax notice, vehicle registration)

It should be dated within the last 60 days.

A Valid Payment Method

If paying cash, bring a cashier’s check or arrange a wire transfer. Personal checks are not accepted. If financing, this is handled at closing.

If You’re Financing Your Purchase

Over 50% of our customers get approved for financing before they arrive. If you haven’t already, here’s what we’ll need.

Proof of Income

Bring one of the following:

• Recent pay stub (last 30 days)
• Tax return (last 2 years)
• Bank statements showing regular deposits
• Offer letter if self-employed

This helps lenders verify you can make payments. We work with a wide network of lenders—whether your credit score is 800 or 500, we work to get you approved. Honest income information speeds up the process.

Contact Information for References

Lenders like to know who you are beyond a credit report. Bring:

• Phone numbers for at least two personal or professional references
• Contact info for your employer
• Your Social Security number (you’ll provide this at the dealership for a credit check)

Pre-Approval Letter (If You Already Have One)

If you’ve been pre-approved online or at another lender, bring that letter. It speeds things up and shows lenders you’re serious. We’ll review it and work with your lender, or provide alternative options if needed.

If You’re Trading In Your Old Vehicle

Trading in simplifies things—we handle the paperwork on both vehicles.

Your Current Vehicle’s Title

Bring the original title in your name. If there’s a lien (the bank still owns it), bring your loan documents or lender contact information. We’ll work with your lender to pay off the loan at closing. You walk out of here with one vehicle instead of two.

On the rust front, Is a Rust-Free Used Car Worth Driving Farther to Buy? has the full picture.

You might also find How Long Does Buying a Used Car Actually Take? helpful.

Keys and Access Codes

Bring all keys and fobs for your trade-in vehicle. If it has a garage door opener, alarm codes, or other access items, bring those too.

Maintenance Records (Optional, But Helpful)

If you have service records for your trade-in, bring them. They show the vehicle’s history and can increase its value.

If You’re Paying Cash

Bring payment by cashier’s check, money order, or arrange a wire transfer. Personal checks are not accepted. We’ll provide payment details once you’ve selected your vehicle and we’ve confirmed pricing.

What You Don’t Need to Bring

• Proof of a current vehicle registration (yours will be transferred)
• Your loan payoff letter (if you have one—we’ll get it)
• Multiple forms of ID (one valid ID is enough)
• References from your old car insurance company (new insurer will handle that)

Before You Come In: A Quick Prep Checklist

1. Check your credit. You can pull your credit report for free at annualcreditreport.com. Knowing your score helps with financing discussions.
2. Get insurance quotes. Call your current insurer or get online quotes so you know what coverage will cost.
3. Apply for pre-approval. If you’re financing, get pre-approved online before you visit. Speeds up the whole process.
4. Gather documents. Don’t wait until you arrive to hunt for your pay stub or utility bill. Have them ready.
5. Know your budget. Most of our vehicles are priced $10,000–$15,000, with select models up to $20,000 and cash cars under $6,000. Know what you can afford.

What Robert Street Auto Sales Handles for You

You don’t need to bring:

• The vehicle’s title (we’ll handle the transfer)
• Warranty paperwork (we’ll explain coverage)
• Inspection reports (we’ve already inspected the vehicle)
• Registration forms (we process these)

We’ve been selling used cars in St. Paul for years. Many of our vehicles are sourced from southern states where road salt doesn’t eat away at the undercarriage—a big deal for Minnesota buyers who’ve seen rust take down otherwise solid cars. Every vehicle, regardless of where it came from, is thoroughly inspected before it hits the lot.

We also handle financing in-house, which means no waiting for approval from a third party. We work with a wide network of lenders. Whether you’re paying cash or financing with a 500 credit score, we’re built to work with you.

When You Arrive at Robert Street Auto Sales

Have your documents organized in a folder or envelope. You don’t need to memorize anything—just know where your ID, insurance proof, and income documentation are. Our team will walk you through the paperwork step by step.

We’re located at 845 S Robert St, St. Paul, MN 55107, open Monday–Saturday, 9am–6pm. If you have questions before you come in, call us at (651) 222-5222. If you want to start the approval process online, head to robertstreetautosales.com.

The goal is simple: get you into a reliable used car with honest pricing and no surprises. Coming prepared with the right documents gets you there faster.

For more on the buying process, read our complete guide to buying a used car in Minnesota. If you’re financing, learn what credit score you need to get approved and consider getting pre-approved before you shop to speed things up.