What is a title in terms of vehicle ownership?

A title is a legal document that serves as proof of vehicle ownership. It contains essential information about the vehicle, such as its make, model, year, Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), and the name of the registered owner. This document is crucial because it establishes who has legal rights to the vehicle and is necessary for various transactions, such as selling or transferring ownership.

While the other options cover various aspects related to vehicle ownership, they do not provide the same level of authoritative proof of ownership as a title does. For instance, a document proving the purchase date is important for record-keeping but does not confirm legal ownership. A receipt for excise tax payment acknowledges tax payment but is not proof of ownership. Lastly, a temporary registration note could be used for short-term purposes but does not confer the same legal rights as a title.