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The bottom line: Most sellers think selling out of state is complicated. It’s not. Your job is to handle your own state’s paperwork. The buyer handles registration in their home state. Select your state in the tool below to see exactly what’s required.
If you’d rather skip paperwork entirely, compare offers from multiple online buyers who handle all of it remotely.
In-State Sales
- Follow your state’s rules only
- Standard title signing
- Standard bill of sale
- Buyer registers in your state
- Buyer gets temp tags same day
Out-of-State Sales
- Same seller rules as local, plus possible notarization
- Title may need notarization (KY, LA, MS, MT, NC, OH, OK, PA, WA, WY)
- Bill of sale may need notarization (LA, MD, MT, NE, WV)
- CA, GA, MO sellers must provide emissions certificate
- Buyer registers in their home state
- Buyer needs transit permits to drive home legally
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Find Your State’s Requirements
Select your state below to see exactly what you need to do as the seller. Requirements vary by state for title notarization, bill of sale, plates, emissions, and notice of sale filing deadlines.
Each state has its own rules for title signing, bill of sale, emissions, plates, and notice of sale deadlines. Use the tool above to check your specific state requirements before completing the sale.
What Makes Out-of-State Sales Different?
The core process is the same as a local sale: sign the title, remove your plates, file the notice of sale with your DMV, and receive payment. The buyer handles registration in their home state, along with their state’s taxes and inspection requirements.
The two things that actually differ in out-of-state sales are notarization and payment. Some states require a notarized title or bill of sale. And if you can’t meet at a bank, verifying payment safely takes an extra step.
If you’re selling privately, remote payment verification is especially important. A wire transfer needs bank confirmation, not just an email notification. Services like KeySavvy hold payment in escrow and handle title transfer remotely for exactly this situation.
Documents You Need
Your vehicle title is the most important document. Make sure it’s in your name and free of liens. If you still owe money on the car, you’ll need a lien release from your lender before you can sign it over.
A bill of sale documents the transaction details: VIN, make, model, year, sale price, date, and both parties’ names and addresses. Over 20 states require one by law. Even where it’s not required, it protects you.
Your driver’s license is needed for identity verification, especially if notarization is involved. The name on your ID must match the name on the title exactly.
Completing the Sale
Remove your license plates before the buyer leaves, unless you’re in Alaska, California, Hawaii, or Minnesota. In those four states, plates stay with the car. Everywhere else, plates are registered to you and must come off.
File your state’s notice of sale within the required timeframe. This removes the car from your name and protects you from future liability. Deadlines range from immediately after the sale to 30 days, depending on your state. Check the tool above for your specific deadline.
Keep copies of the signed title, bill of sale, any DMV filings, and payment confirmation for at least one year. Cancel your car insurance once the sale is complete.
What the Buyer Handles
The buyer is responsible for getting insurance in their home state, obtaining transit permits to drive the car legally, and registering in their home state within the required time. They pay sales tax and registration fees in their state.
Their state may also require a safety inspection or emissions test before they can complete registration. None of this becomes your responsibility once you’ve signed the title and filed your notice of sale.
Skip the Paperwork With an Online Buyer
If the paperwork feels like a lot, online car buyers handle all of it themselves. They operate in all 50 states, pick up from your driveway, and manage their own registration. You don’t deal with notarization, transit permits, or remote payment risk.
Carvana is a strong option for newer cars with clean titles. They make instant offers online and handle all paperwork remotely. Peddle and Wheelzy work with older and higher-mileage cars and also operate in every state.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Which state’s rules do I follow as the seller?
You follow your own state’s seller requirements. That covers title signing, plates, bill of sale, and notice of sale filing. The buyer handles everything in their home state, including registration, taxes, and any inspection requirements.
My state requires notarization but the buyer and I can’t meet in person. What do I do?
Many states now accept remote online notarization for vehicle title transfers. You complete notarization via video call with a certified notary, without meeting anyone in person. Contact your state DMV to confirm whether remote notarization is accepted before proceeding.
Will I still be responsible for tickets or accidents after selling the car?
Not if you file your state’s notice of sale within the required timeframe and remove your plates before the buyer drives away. Filing the notice removes the vehicle from your name. Removing the plates eliminates the risk of tickets being linked to your registration after the sale.
What if there’s still a loan on the car?
You’ll need a lien release from your lender before you can sign the title over. Some lenders coordinate directly with the buyer at closing. Others require the loan to be paid off first so the clean title can be issued.
Learn more: How to Sell a Financed Car, with full steps for paying off a lien and transferring the title.
How do I safely verify payment in a remote sale?
Call your bank directly to confirm a wire transfer has cleared and the funds are available for withdrawal. Don’t rely on email notifications or online banking displays, which can show pending deposits before they settle.
For cashier’s checks, call the issuing bank directly to verify before handing over the title. Personal checks are not a safe payment method for out-of-state sales. KeySavvy holds payment in escrow until both sides confirm the transaction is complete, which removes the payment risk entirely.
What is an odometer disclosure and do I need one?
An odometer disclosure records the vehicle’s mileage at the time of sale. Federal law requires it for all vehicles under 10 years old and under 16,000 pounds, regardless of which states are involved. In most cases it’s printed on the title itself. If not, your state DMV can provide the form.
Can the buyer use my license plates to drive the car home?
No. Plates are registered to you personally. Remove them before the buyer takes the car. The buyer needs transit permits or temporary tags from their home state to drive legally. The only exception is if you’re in Alaska, California, Hawaii, or Minnesota, where plates stay with the vehicle.
What if the buyer doesn’t register the car in their home state?
Once you’ve signed the title and filed your notice of sale, the buyer’s registration is their responsibility. Keep copies of your title, bill of sale, and DMV filing for at least one year. That documentation proves you completed your side of the transaction correctly.
Can I change my mind after signing the paperwork?
Once you’ve signed the title and received payment, the sale is generally final. Before that point, either party can still withdraw. Make sure you’re comfortable with the agreed price and the payment method before you sign anything.
Article Update History
All state requirements in this guide were verified against official DMV sources and reflect current title, bill of sale, emissions, and notice of sale rules for all 50 states.
Originally posted and shared with our readers.