Vermont — quick answer
In Vermont, a bill of sale is required for a private vehicle sale and notarization is not required. No witnesses are required. The relevant state form is VT-005. Ownership is transferred through the Vermont DMV via the assigned title.
Is a bill of sale required in Vermont?
Required. Vermont requires the VT-005 bill of sale, which combines the bill of sale and odometer disclosure.
Seller assigns the title; the buyer titles and registers with the Vermont DMV.
Does a Vermont bill of sale need to be notarized?
Not required. The standard VT-005 is not notarized (non-titled vehicles use a notarized VT-025).
Witness requirements
No. Vermont does not require witnesses for a standard private bill of sale.
Odometer disclosure
Federal law requires a written odometer disclosure when title is transferred for vehicles less than 20 years old. As of 2026 that means model year 2011 and newer; model year 2010 and older are generally exempt. Record the exact mileage — never round it. See the NHTSA rule.
How to transfer a vehicle title in Vermont
- 1Complete the bill of sale and title assignment.
Fill in the buyer, seller, price, odometer, and date. Both parties sign and date the document.
- 2Hand over the signed title.
Seller assigns the title; the buyer titles and registers with the Vermont DMV.
- 3Register with the Vermont DMV.
The buyer titles and registers the vehicle, bringing Bill of Sale & Odometer Disclosure Statement (VT-005). Confirm the current fees and documents on the official Vermont DMV page.
Official Vermont sources
- Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) — buying & selling a vehicle
- NHTSA — federal odometer disclosure rule
We link to primary government sources and review this page regularly, but requirements change. This is general information, not legal advice.
Vermont bill of sale by type
Get requirements and a free template tailored to Vermont for each item type — the generator applies the Vermont notary and witness rules automatically:
Vermont bill of sale — FAQ
Is a bill of sale required in Vermont?
In Vermont, a separate bill of sale is required. Vermont requires the VT-005 bill of sale, which combines the bill of sale and odometer disclosure.
Does a Vermont bill of sale need to be notarized?
No. The standard VT-005 is not notarized (non-titled vehicles use a notarized VT-025).
Do I need a witness for a bill of sale in Vermont?
No. Vermont does not require witnesses for a standard private bill of sale.
How do I transfer a vehicle title in Vermont?
Seller assigns the title; the buyer titles and registers with the Vermont DMV. Titling and registration in Vermont are handled by the Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).
Is a bill of sale proof of ownership?
Generally no. For titled property like a car or boat, the title is what proves ownership. A bill of sale proves that a sale happened and records the price, date, and terms — it supports the title transfer but does not replace it. For untitled property (furniture, equipment, electronics), the signed bill of sale is usually the main proof of ownership.