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The bottom line: Wyoming requires your signature on the title to be notarized before you can transfer ownership. That’s the biggest difference from most states, so plan to have a notary present when you sign.
As the seller, you handle the notarized title signing, plate removal, and any lien documentation. The buyer handles registration and sales tax at the county clerk’s office after the sale. Wyoming has no emissions testing requirement, which keeps the process simple.
Key Takeaways
- Title notarization: Wyoming requires your signature on the title to be notarized. You must sign in front of a notary public before ownership can transfer.
- Missing title: A replacement costs $15.00 and must be requested at your county clerk’s office. Applying in person is usually processed same day.
- Buyer deadline: The buyer has 45 days to register the car and 65 days to pay sales tax before penalties apply.
- License plates: They stay with you, not the car. Remove them before the buyer drives away.
- Release of liability: Wyoming has no required form. Keep a copy of your notarized title and a signed bill of sale as proof you sold the vehicle.
- Bill of sale: Not legally required in Wyoming, but strongly recommended. It protects you if there are any disputes after the sale.
- No emissions testing: Wyoming has no smog check requirement. You don’t need any inspection before listing your car.
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Step-by-Step Process for Wyoming
Step 1: Prepare Your Wyoming Paperwork
Documents you’ll need:
- Vehicle title – Must be in your name and clear of liens
- Valid Wyoming driver’s license – Name must match the name on the title 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. Download the duplicate title application and submit it to your county clerk’s office with your ID and $15.00. Applying in person is usually processed same day. Note that each county handles titles independently, so contact your local county clerk’s office directly if you have questions about their specific process.
If you still owe money on the car:
Your lender needs to release the lien before you can transfer the title. Contact them to get a lien release or termination statement. The county clerk must see that any lien on the title has been properly released before they can complete the transfer. If you owe more than the car is 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.
Notarization required:
Wyoming requires your seller’s signature on the title to be notarized. You must sign the assignment section in front of a notary public. You can find notary services at banks, UPS stores, and most county clerk offices. Many county clerks provide notary services right there in the office at no extra charge.
Electronic titles:
Wyoming hasn’t implemented an e-title system yet. All titles are paper titles. If a lender is holding your title electronically, they’ll need to release it and send you the physical paper title before you can complete the sale.
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 Wyoming, especially in Cheyenne, Casper, and Laramie where buyer activity is highest. Cars.com and Autotrader are good for reaching buyers statewide and from neighboring states.
Wyoming’s strong truck and 4×4 market means pickup trucks and SUVs tend to sell faster than average here, especially in rural areas. Peddle or Wheelzy will buy your old or damaged car directly, and Carvana will give you competitive offers if you have a newer car. You can also compare offers from multiple services with Sell Car Advisor to see what your car is worth before you list.
Best for Newer Cars
Buys newer, low-mileage cars
Offers pickup or free drop-off
Competitive trade-in value
Best for Used Cars
Instant offer in 2 minutes
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Get paid on the spot
Best for Junk Cars
Sell your car in 30 minutes
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Buys non-running cars
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Step 5: Meet with Buyers Safely
Always meet at public places like bank parking lots during daylight hours.
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Step 6: Handle Payment and Negotiate
Cash for cars under $5,000, cashier’s check (verify at bank), or meet at the buyer’s bank for a wire transfer.
Learn more:
Step 7: Complete the Wyoming Title Transfer
Wyoming titles are transferred at the county clerk level. Before the buyer’s name can go on the title, you must fill in the assignment section on the back of the title and sign in front of a notary.
Here’s what to complete on the back of the title before signing:
- Buyer’s full name and address in the “Assignment of Ownership” section
- Date of sale and sale price
- Odometer reading (required for model year 2011 and newer, for 20 years)
Use black or blue ink only. Don’t make any corrections or use white-out. A single mistake can void the title and you’ll need to apply for a duplicate.
Once you’ve filled in the buyer’s information, sign the assignment in front of a notary public. Your notarized signature is what legally transfers ownership. The buyer must also sign the purchaser’s application section on the back of the title in front of a notary.
Joint ownership rules:
If more than one person is listed on the title, here’s who needs to sign:
- Titles issued before January 1, 2020: all owners must sign, regardless of whether names are joined with “AND,” “OR,” or “AND/OR”
- Titles issued on or after January 1, 2020 with “OR” (without JTWROS): only one owner needs to sign
- Titles with “AND,” “AND/OR,” or “JTWROS” (any date): all owners must sign
Clerk vs. Treasurer: As the seller, your job is almost entirely with the County Clerk. The Clerk handles the title paperwork. The Treasurer handles registration fees and sales tax — that’s the buyer’s stop, not yours.
After signing, hand the notarized title to the buyer. They take it to their county clerk’s office to apply for a new title. They have 45 days to do this, and they can drive the car during that window using the properly signed title as proof of purchase.
Odometer disclosure is required for vehicles model year 2011 and newer. The odometer statement is typically on the back of the Wyoming title itself. If there’s no space on your title, or if you’re transferring from an out-of-state title, a separate odometer disclosure statement is required.
Step 8: Sign Bill of Sale (Recommended)
A bill of sale isn’t required by state law in Wyoming. Some counties may ask for one as part of the title transfer process for the buyer, but it’s not a legal obligation on the seller’s part. It’s still smart protection for you.
It doesn’t need to be notarized in Wyoming. You can use our free bill of sale generator to create one in minutes. Include the sale date, sale price, VIN, and both parties’ names and signatures.
Learn more: What is Bill of Sale for a Car? (Seller Guide + Templates)
Step 9: Handle Wyoming License Plates and Registration
Remove your license plates before the buyer drives away. In Wyoming, plates belong to you (the owner), not the car.
You can transfer them to another vehicle you own, or destroy them. Note that your registration expires when the title transfers. The buyer gets new plates when they register the car in their name at their county treasurer’s office.
Learn more: How to Remove License Plates Safely?
Step 10: Submit the Release of Liability
Contact the Wyoming DMV to report the sale after it’s complete.
Wyoming has no required release of liability form. Your best protection is keeping a copy of the notarized title and a signed bill of sale. These create a paper trail showing when you sold the vehicle and to whom.
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?
Wyoming DMV Resources
State Resources:
- Wyoming Department of Transportation (WYDOT) – Titles, Plates & Registration
- Titles are handled by your county clerk’s office. Registration and plate transfers are handled by the county treasurer’s office.
Phone Support:
- WYDOT Motor Vehicle Services: (307) 777-4710
Wyoming Fees and Costs
| What You Pay | Cost | When? |
|---|---|---|
| Duplicate title (if needed) | $15.00 | Before sale |
| Lien payoff (if applicable) | Loan balance | Before sale |
| Everything else | $0 | Buyer pays |
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Frequently Asked Questions
How long does the buyer have to transfer the title after we complete the sale?
The buyer has 45 days to register the vehicle and apply for a new title at the county clerk’s office.
During that 45-day window, they can legally drive the car using the properly signed title as temporary proof of purchase.
The buyer also has 65 days from the date of purchase to pay sales tax before late penalties begin to accumulate. Both deadlines run from the date of sale.
Do I need to get the title notarized when I sign it over in Wyoming?
Yes, Wyoming requires your signature on the title to be notarized. You must sign the assignment section in front of a notary public before the title can legally transfer to the buyer.
You can get a notarization at your county clerk’s office, a bank, or a UPS store. Many county clerks will notarize the title right there when you bring it in, often at no extra charge.
When is a bill of sale required in Wyoming?
A bill of sale isn’t required by state law for private vehicle sales in Wyoming. It’s recommended for your protection, but you’re not legally obligated to provide one.
That said, it’s smart to have one. It documents the sale date and price, which can protect you if the buyer doesn’t register the car and traffic violations come back to you.
It doesn’t need to be notarized in Wyoming.
Can I sell my car if I still owe money on it in Wyoming?
Yes, but you need to coordinate lien release with your lender first.
Any lien showing on the title must be properly released by the county clerk or accompanied by a lien release or termination statement from the lender before the title can transfer.
If you owe more than the car is worth, you’ll need to pay the difference out of pocket before the title clears.
My car was inherited. What additional Wyoming forms do I need?
If you inherited the vehicle through a will, you’ll typically need letters testamentary or letters of administration from the probate court to establish your authority to sign the title as seller.
Bring those documents and a copy of the death certificate to your county clerk’s office.
For small estates that don’t go through formal probate, Wyoming may allow a simplified affidavit process.
Contact your county clerk directly, since they handle titles and can tell you exactly which documents they need for your specific situation.
Both my spouse and I are on the Wyoming title. Do we both need to sign?
It depends on when the title was issued and how the names are joined.
For titles issued before January 1, 2020, both of you must sign regardless of whether your names are connected with “AND,” “OR,” or “AND/OR.”
Wyoming law changed in 2020, so older titles require all owners to sign.
For titles issued on or after January 1, 2020: if your names are joined with “OR” only (no JTWROS designation), one signature is enough.
If the title says “AND,” “AND/OR,” or includes “JTWROS,” both of you must still sign in front of a notary.
What if I make a mistake on the Wyoming title?
Don’t try to fix it yourself with white-out or cross-outs. A corrected or altered title will be rejected at the county clerk’s office. You’ll need to apply for a duplicate title and start over.
A duplicate title costs $15.00 and can be applied for at your county clerk’s office. Processing is usually same day if you apply in person. Once you have the clean duplicate, fill it in carefully before signing.
The buyer is from out of state. Does Wyoming require anything special?
Your obligations as the seller are the same whether the buyer is from Wyoming or another state. Sign the title in front of a notary and hand it over with a bill of sale.
The buyer may face additional steps on their end. Many states require a VIN inspection when a car is brought in from out of state. That’s the buyer’s responsibility to handle in their home state, not yours.
If you’re selling to someone from out of state, offer to meet them at the local Sheriff’s office for a quick VIN inspection before you finalize the deal.
It takes 10 minutes and builds a lot of trust with buyers who are driving in from another state to buy your car.
Do Wyoming license plates transfer to the buyer?
No, Wyoming license plates stay with you (the seller). Remove them before the buyer drives away. Leaving your plates on the car means any toll violations or traffic tickets could come back to you.
You can transfer the plates to another vehicle you own, or destroy them. Your registration expires automatically when the title transfers, so there’s no separate step needed to cancel it.
Article Update History
The notarization rules, buyer deadlines, and plate requirements reflect current Wyoming law.
Originally posted and shared with our readers.