Reference · Updated June 9, 2026
State Bill of Sale Requirements — How They Differ
Bill of sale rules change a lot by state. Here's how to read your state's requirements — required vs recommended, notary, witnesses, and official forms.
There’s no single national rule for bills of sale — each state sets its own. The differences usually come down to four questions. Once you know the answers for your state, you’ll know exactly what to do.
The four things that vary by state
1. Is a bill of sale required? Some states require one to register a vehicle (New Hampshire, Vermont, New York, Nebraska, Washington). Many only recommend it and rely on the signed title to transfer ownership (Texas, California, Pennsylvania). Some require it only for older or non-titled vehicles (Georgia, Kansas).
2. Does it need to be notarized? Most states: no. Five require the vehicle title transfer to be notarized — Louisiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Kentucky. A few more require it only in tax situations (Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, Oklahoma). See when you need notarization.
3. Are witnesses required? Rarely. Louisiana allows two witnesses as an alternative to a notary; most states require none.
4. Is there an official state form? Some states publish an official bill of sale you should use (California REG 135, Florida HSMV 82050, Georgia T-7, New York MV-912, and many more). Others have no official form, so your own complete document is fine.
How to read your state’s page
Each of our state requirement pages answers all four questions in a single glance, plus:
- How ownership actually transfers in that state.
- Whether there’s a notice of sale / release of liability to file.
- Any sales-tax nuance.
- A link to the official DMV source so you can confirm.
Use the 50-state comparison table to see them side by side, or jump straight to a few high-volume states: Texas, California, Florida, New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio.
Why “state-specific” actually matters
A generic template that just swaps the state name doesn’t help you if it doesn’t tell you that Ohio needs a notary or that Texas wants Form 130-U. Real requirements differ, and getting them wrong means a second trip to the DMV. That’s why our generator adapts the document and the signing checklist to the state you choose — adding a notary block where it’s needed and pointing you to the right official form.
Don’t forget: rules change
State agencies update forms, fees, and procedures regularly, and some rules vary by county. We review these pages and cite primary government sources, but always confirm the current requirement with your state’s DMV before you sign. This is general information, not legal advice.
Frequently asked questions
Are bill of sale requirements the same in every state?
No. Requirements vary significantly. Some states require a bill of sale to register a vehicle, others only recommend it. A few require the title transfer to be notarized, and some provide an official state bill of sale form while others let you use your own.
How do I find my state's bill of sale requirements?
Check your state's motor vehicle agency page, or use our state requirement pages, which summarize whether a bill of sale is required, the notary and witness rules, the official form, and the title-transfer steps — each with a link to the official source.
Which state has the strictest bill of sale rules?
Louisiana is generally the strictest — it requires the title to be assigned before a notary and an original notarized bill of sale. Ohio, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, and Kentucky also require notarized title transfers.