A pink slip for a car is essentially the car title, a legal document that proves the ownership of a vehicle. It is issued by the state's Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and includes key information such as the owner's name and address, the vehicle's identification number (VIN), make, model, year, and any lienholder details. The pink slip is crucial for legally proving ownership, selling the car, registering the vehicle, buying insurance, and financing. The term "pink slip" originated in California because the vehicle titles were originally printed on pink paper, but now it refers broadly to the vehicle's title regardless of its color. If you are buying or selling a car, the pink slip must be signed over to finalize the ownership transfer. If lost, a duplicate can usually be obtained from the DMV. Without the pink slip, you cannot legally prove ownership or complete many vehicle-related transactions. So, a pink slip is the legal certificate that establishes who owns the car.