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The bottom line: To sell a car in North Dakota, you sign the Seller’s Assignment section on the back of your title and hand it to the buyer. Title notarization is not required, and emissions testing is not required.
A bill of sale is not required, but keeping a signed, dated copy is your best protection, since handing over the title does not notify the DOT. License plates stay with the seller, so remove them when you sell. The buyer then has 30 days from the date of purchase to apply for a new certificate of title.
If you’ve lost the title, a replacement costs $5.00 through Form SFN 2872. You can compare offers from multiple buyers with Sell Car Advisor before deciding how to sell.
North Dakota at a Glance
- Title required to sell: yes, with no age or low-value exemption.
- Title notarization: not required. Just sign in blue or black ink, exactly as your name appears on the title.
- Cost to replace a lost title: $5.00, by submitting Form SFN 2872 to your local DOT office.
- Title replacement online: no, the form is submitted in person or by mail.
- Bill of sale required: not required, though it protects both sides.
- Bill of sale notarization: required if the state form SFN 2888 is used, the seller must sign it before a notary, a self written bill of sale needs no notary.
- Emissions testing: not required, which makes older cars and trucks with lots of miles easier to sell privately here.
- Safety inspection: not required for a standard private sale.
- License plates: they stay with the seller, not the car. You can transfer your plates to another vehicle you own for registration credit, or destroy them
- Buyer’s deadline to register: 30 days from the date of purchase to apply for a new certificate of title.
- Buyer penalty for missing the deadline: the registration may be suspended or revoked and a violation of the transfer section is a class B misdemeanor.
- Release yourself from liability: the form is the Form SFN 2877 (Assignment and Warranty of Title).
- Deadline to release liability: you have 30 days.
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Step-by-Step Process for North Dakota
Step 1: Prepare Your North Dakota Paperwork
Documents you’ll need:
- Vehicle title – Must be in your name and clear of liens
- Valid North Dakota driver’s license – Names must match exactly
- Lien release documentation – If you still owe money on the car
If your title is missing:
You’ll need to get a replacement first. To apply, complete Form SFN 2872, mark the duplicate title box and circle the reason as lost, stolen, or mutilated, provide your ID, and pay the $5.00 fee at a Motor Vehicle office or by mail. If there is a lien on the vehicle, the duplicate title will be mailed to the lienholder, not to you. You can download Form SFN 2872 from the ND DOT website.
If you can’t get a duplicate title:
In North Dakota, a replacement title must be obtained before sale, since there is no provision to sell a normal vehicle without a title, a person applies for a new title with proof of ownership and for a vehicle 40 years or older a bill of sale or affidavit of ownership is accepted. This short video walks through the options.
If you still owe money on the car:
Your lender needs to release the lien before you can transfer the title. In North Dakota, the lienholder completes Form SFN 2876 Release of Lien by Legal Owner before the title can be transferred. If you owe more than the car’s worth, you’ll need to pay the difference.
Learn more: How to Sell a Financed Car?
Name matching requirement:
Check your title carefully. The name on your driver’s license must match the name on the title exactly. If you got married or changed your name, bring documentation showing the name change.
Step 2: Prepare Your Car
Clean your car inside and out, gather maintenance records, and run a VIN check to get the best price and build buyer confidence.
Learn more:
Step 3: Price Your Car
Learn more: Best Free Car Valuation Tools
Step 4: Advertise Your Car
Facebook Marketplace works best in North Dakota, especially in Fargo, Bismarck, and Grand Forks where buyer activity is highest. Cars.com and Autotrader are good for reaching buyers statewide and from neighboring states like Minnesota and Montana.
Emissions testing is not required, which means older cars and trucks with lots of miles sell well here with fewer complications than in states with testing requirements.
or Wheelzy will buy your old or damaged car directly, and Carvana will give you competitive offers if you have a newer car.
Best for Newer Cars
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Offer amount 35% 5/5
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Process ease 20% 5/5
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Offer validity 15% 4/5
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Pickup / drop-off 15% 4/5
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Payment speed 15% 4/5
- Accepts cars with active loans
- Trade-in can save on sales tax
- License plate starts the quote
- Direct deposit option available
Best for Older Cars
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Offer amount 30% 5/5
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Quote speed 20% 5/5
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Pickup speed 20% 4/5
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Vehicle acceptance 15% 5/5
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Process ease 15% 5/5
- Quote stays valid for 7 days
- Handles all the paperwork too
- Buys cars that are missing keys
- Pays cash or check at pickup
Best for Junk Cars
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Offer amount 30% 5/5
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Quote speed 20% 5/5
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Pickup speed 20% 5/5
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Vehicle acceptance 15% 4/5
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Process ease 15% 4/5
- Assists with replacement titles
- Buys cars stripped for parts
- Driver pays you before loading
- Quote often needs a phone call
Learn more:
Step 5: Meet with Buyers Safely
Always meet at public places like bank parking lots during daylight hours.
Learn more:
Step 6: Handle Payment and Negotiate
Cash for cars under $5,000, cashier’s check (verify at bank), or meet at buyer’s bank for wire transfer.
Learn more:
Step 7: Complete the North Dakota Title Transfer
Turn to the back of your title and find the “Seller’s Assignment and Warranty of Title” section. This is where you enter the sale details. Use black or blue ink only.
Never use white-out, as erasure or mutilation voids the title completely. If you make a simple error like a wrong buyer name, date, or price, you may be able to correct it by submitting Form SFN 2964 (Statement of Error, Correction, or Alteration) to the DOT rather than paying for a duplicate title.
What to fill in:
- Buyer’s full legal name and address
- Date of sale and purchase price
- Your signature
Odometer disclosure is required for vehicles model year 2011 and newer, under a federal rule that runs for 20 years from the model year. Vehicles model year 2010 and older are exempt.
When the back of the title has no assignment space left, the North Dakota DOT requires the Form SFN 18773 Reassignment Odometer Disclosure, used when odometer disclosure is required and the title has no assignment space left. This form is not available online, so you must pick it up at your local DOT office in person.
If your vehicle is less than 9 model years old, you must also complete a Damage/Salvage Disclosure Statement (Form SFN 18609) signed by both you and the buyer. This applies to all vehicles in this age range, whether they have damage or not.
Joint ownership rules:
- Names joined by “AND”: both owners must sign
- Names joined by “OR”: only one owner needs to sign
The buyer has 30 days from the date of purchase to apply for a new certificate of title at the North Dakota DOT.
They can drive the car for up to 5 days right after the purchase if they carry dated proof of ownership, like a bill of sale or a copy of the title, and a self-issued permit covers them for up to 30 days.
Step 8: Consider a Bill of Sale
A bill of sale is not required for a private sale in North Dakota, but it’s smart protection for both sides.
A good one includes the vehicle description with VIN, purchase price, sale date, and both parties’ names and addresses.
You can use the official state form, the Form SFN 2888 Seller's Certificate and Vehicle Bill of Sale, or write your own.
Notarization is required if the state form SFN 2888 is used, the seller must sign it before a notary, a self written bill of sale needs no notary. Most banks in Fargo or Bismarck will notarize free or for a small fee if you’re a member.
You can use our free bill of sale generator to create one in minutes.
Learn more: What is Bill of Sale for a Car? (Seller Guide + Templates)
Step 9: Handle North Dakota License Plates and Registration
In North Dakota, license plates stay with the seller, not the car. Remove them when you sell.
You can transfer your plates to another vehicle you own for registration credit, or destroy them. North Dakota does not offer cash refunds for unused registration, but you may receive credit toward new plates if you transfer them. Contact the DOT at (701) 328-2725 for details.
The buyer gets new plates when they register the car.
Learn more: How to Remove License Plates Safely?
Step 10: Submit the Release of Liability
For most private sales, you complete the Seller’s Assignment section on the back of your physical title and hand it to the buyer. You have 30 days.
The form is the Form SFN 2877 (Assignment and Warranty of Title). You can download the standalone Form SFN 2877 from the ND DOT website.
Keep in mind that North Dakota has Not available.
Handing over the signed title does not notify the DOT, so your real protection is keeping a signed, dated copy of the bill of sale in case the buyer drives the car before registering it.
For vehicles requiring odometer disclosure, use the Form SFN 18773 Reassignment Odometer Disclosure, used when odometer disclosure is required and the title has no assignment space left. Keep a copy for your own records.
Step 11: Cancel Insurance
Cancel your insurance only after the title transfer is complete.
Learn more: When to Cancel Car Insurance After Selling a Car?
North Dakota Sale Checklist
Before the Sale
At the Sale
After the Sale
North Dakota DMV Resources
State Resources:
Phone Support:
- Main line: (701) 328-2725
- Appointment scheduling: 1-855-633-6835
North Dakota Fees and Costs
| What You Pay? | Cost | When? |
|---|---|---|
| Duplicate title (if needed) | $5.00 | Before sale |
| Lien payoff (if applicable) | Loan balance | Before sale |
| Everything else | $0 | Buyer pays |
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do I sell a car without a title in North Dakota?
You cannot sell a car without a title in North Dakota. In North Dakota, a replacement title must be obtained before sale, since there is no provision to sell a normal vehicle without a title, a person applies for a new title with proof of ownership and for a vehicle 40 years or older a bill of sale or affidavit of ownership is accepted.
If your title is just lost, get a replacement first by submitting Form SFN 2872 for the $5.00 fee.
If you bought the car but never got a title from the seller, you apply for a new title with proof of ownership instead.
How long does the buyer have to transfer the title after we complete the sale?
The buyer has 30 days from the date of purchase to apply for a new certificate of title with the North Dakota DOT.
They can drive the car for up to 5 days right after the purchase if they carry dated proof of ownership, like the bill of sale or a copy of the title, and a self-issued permit covers them for up to 30 days. After that, failure to register may result in fines.
Do I need to get the title notarized when I sign it over in North Dakota?
Title notarization is not required in North Dakota. The title assignment itself never needs a notary. Just sign in blue or black ink exactly as your name appears on the title.
Is a bill of sale required in North Dakota?
A bill of sale is not required for a private sale in North Dakota, but it gives both sides legal protection.
You can use the state’s official form SFN 2888 or any written document that includes the vehicle VIN, purchase price, sale date, and both parties’ names and addresses.
Notarization is required if the state form SFN 2888 is used, the seller must sign it before a notary, a self written bill of sale needs no notary. Most banks notarize for free or a small fee.
Either way, the buyer needs a copy to carry in the vehicle as proof of ownership while registering.
Can I sell my car if I still owe money on it in North Dakota?
Yes, but you need to coordinate lien release with your lender. In North Dakota, the lienholder completes Form SFN 2876 Release of Lien by Legal Owner before the title can be transferred.
Many lenders will mail this directly to the North Dakota DOT after payoff.
If you owe more than the car’s worth, you’ll need to pay the difference.
My car was inherited. What additional North Dakota forms do I need?
The small estate route applies when the estate value is $50,000, the estate must not exceed this to use the small estate affidavit.
Contact the DOT at (701) 328-2725 to confirm what documentation they need for your specific situation before you proceed.
Both my spouse and I are on the North Dakota title. Do we both need to sign?
It depends on how your names appear on the title. If they’re connected by “AND,” both of you must sign the assignment section. If they’re connected by “OR,” only one signature is needed.
What if I make a mistake on the North Dakota title?
Don’t use white-out. Erasure or mutilation voids the North Dakota title completely and there’s no fix for that.
For simple written errors like the wrong buyer name, date, or price, you may be able to correct it by submitting Form SFN 2964 (Statement of Error, Correction, or Alteration) to the DOT instead of applying for a duplicate.
If the error can’t be corrected that way, apply for a duplicate title using Form SFN 2872 and pay the $5.00 fee.
The buyer is from out of state. Does North Dakota require anything special?
Your obligations as the seller are the same regardless of where the buyer lives. You complete the Seller’s Assignment on the back of the title, finish any required disclosure forms, and remove your plates.
The buyer is responsible for researching what their home state requires when they go to register the vehicle.
Some states require a VIN inspection on out-of-state vehicles, but that’s the buyer’s concern, not yours.
Do North Dakota license plates transfer to the buyer?
No, North Dakota license plates stay with the seller. Remove them when you sell. You can transfer your plates to another vehicle you own for registration credit, or destroy them.
Do I need to file a release of liability after selling my car in North Dakota?
Yes. For most private sales, you complete the Seller’s Assignment section on the back of your physical title and deliver it to the buyer. You have 30 days.
The form is the Form SFN 2877 (Assignment and Warranty of Title).
For vehicles requiring odometer disclosure, use the Form SFN 18773 Reassignment Odometer Disclosure, used when odometer disclosure is required and the title has no assignment space left.
Keep a copy of whatever you complete for your own records.
Article Update History
This article was updated to reflect North Dakota's current DOT requirements, including the April 2025 revision to Form SFN 2877.
Originally posted and shared with our readers.
Sources
"not required" Accessed Jun. 5, 2026
Emissions Testing Required to Sell?
"not required" Accessed Jun. 5, 2026
Buyer Registration Deadline After Sale
"30 days from the date of purchase to apply for a new certificate of title" Accessed Jun. 5, 2026
"not required" Accessed Jun. 5, 2026
Duplicate Title Application Form
"Form SFN 2872" Accessed Jun. 5, 2026