Bill of Sale Requirements by State
Requirements vary a lot between states — especially whether you need a notary. Compare all 50 states and DC below, then open your state for the official form, witness rules, and title-transfer steps.
Which states require a notary?
Only five states require a notarized vehicle title transfer for a private sale: Louisiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, and Kentucky. A handful more — including Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, and Oklahoma — require notarization only in specific tax situations.
Notary required
Notary sometimes (situational)
50-state comparison table
| State | Bill of sale | Notarization | Witnesses | Official form |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Recommended | Not required | — | — |
| Alaska | Recommended | Situational | — | Form 812 |
| Arizona | Recommended | Situational | — | 48-2004 |
| Arkansas | Recommended | Not required | — | 10-313 |
| California | Not required | Not required | — | REG 135 |
| Colorado | Situational | Not required | — | DR 2173 |
| Connecticut | Recommended | Not required | — | H-31 |
| Delaware | Recommended | Not required | — | — |
| District of Columbia | Required | Not required | — | — |
| Florida | Recommended | Not required | — | HSMV 82050 |
| Georgia | Situational | Not required | — | T-7 |
| Hawaii | Situational | Situational | — | County Vehicle Bill of Sale |
| Idaho | Recommended | Situational | — | ITD 3738 |
| Illinois | Recommended | Not required | — | RUT-50 |
| Indiana | Situational | Not required | — | State Form 44237 |
| Iowa | Recommended | Situational | — | 411107 |
| Kansas | Situational | Not required | — | TR-312 |
| Kentucky | Situational | Required | — | TC 96-182 |
| Louisiana | Required | Required | 2 | — |
| Maine | Recommended | Not required | — | Motor Vehicle Bill of Sale |
| Maryland | Situational | Situational | — | VR-181 |
| Massachusetts | Situational | Not required | — | — |
| Michigan | Recommended | Not required | — | TR-207 |
| Minnesota | Recommended | Not required | — | — |
| Mississippi | Recommended | Situational | — | — |
| Missouri | Recommended | Situational | — | Form 1957 |
| Montana | Situational | Situational | — | MV24 |
| Nebraska | Required | Not required | — | Bill of Sale |
| Nevada | Recommended | Situational | — | VP-104 |
| New Hampshire | Required | Not required | — | TDMV 22A |
| New Jersey | Situational | Situational | — | — |
| New Mexico | Situational | Situational | — | MVD-10009 |
| New York | Required | Not required | — | MV-912 |
| North Carolina | Not required | Required | — | MVR-1 |
| North Dakota | Recommended | Not required | — | SFN 2872 |
| Ohio | Situational | Required | — | BMV 3770 |
| Oklahoma | Situational | Situational | — | 722-1 |
| Oregon | Recommended | Not required | — | 735-501 |
| Pennsylvania | Not required | Required | — | MV-4ST |
| Rhode Island | Recommended | Situational | — | Bill of Sale |
| South Carolina | Situational | Not required | — | Form 4031 |
| South Dakota | Recommended | Not required | — | MV-016 |
| Tennessee | Situational | Situational | — | — |
| Texas | Not required | Not required | — | Form 130-U |
| Utah | Recommended | Not required | — | TC-843 |
| Vermont | Required | Not required | — | VT-005 |
| Virginia | Situational | Situational | — | SUT 1A |
| Washington | Required | Situational | — | 420065 |
| West Virginia | Situational | Situational | — | DMV-7-TR |
| Wisconsin | Recommended | Not required | — | MV1 |
| Wyoming | Situational | Situational | — | MV-300A |
No states match that search.
Sources: official state DMV / DOR / SOS pages and NHTSA. Always confirm with your state — this is general information, not legal advice.
State requirement questions
Does a bill of sale need to be notarized?
In most states, no. For a private vehicle sale, only a handful of states require the title transfer to be notarized: Louisiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, and Kentucky. A few others (such as Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, and Oklahoma) require notarization only in specific tax situations. For most personal property, notarization is never required.
Which states require a notarized vehicle bill of sale?
The states that require the vehicle title transfer to be notarized for a private sale are Louisiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, and Kentucky. Several more — including Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, Oklahoma, and Wyoming — require notarization only in certain situations, usually to document a low sale price for tax. Always confirm with your state DMV.
Do you need a witness for a bill of sale?
Usually not. Most states do not require witnesses for a bill of sale. Louisiana allows two witnesses as an alternative to notarization, and a notary effectively serves as the witness in states that require notarization. Check your state page for the specific rule.
Can I register a car with only a bill of sale and no title?
Usually not. Most states require the signed title to register a vehicle. A bill of sale alone is generally only enough for older, title-exempt vehicles or in special bonded-title situations. Check your state DMV for the exact rules.
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