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The bottom line: Most states don’t require you to notarize your vehicle bill of sale. Only four states have some form of this requirement, and in two of them it only applies under specific conditions.
Wyoming and Kentucky come up often in this conversation, but they require the vehicle title to be notarized, not a separate bill of sale. That’s a different requirement and a common source of confusion.
If you’re selling in any state not listed in this article, a properly signed title is all you need to transfer ownership. A notarized bill of sale is a good idea for your own records either way, but the law doesn’t require it in the vast majority of states.
Before you sign anything, compare offers from multiple services with Sell Car Advisor to make sure you’re getting a fair price first.
Key Takeaways
- Nebraska and Louisiana require a notarized bill of sale for all private vehicle sales, no exceptions.
- Maryland requires it under specific conditions for now, but SB 125 is set to repeal this requirement. Until October 1, 2026, the rule still applies.
- West Virginia only requires it when the sale price is below 50% of the vehicle’s NADA Clean Loan Book value.
- Wyoming and Kentucky require the seller’s signature on the title to be notarized, not a separate bill of sale document.
- Skipping required notarization typically results in the state taxing you on full book value instead of the actual sale price.
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States That Require a Notarized Bill of Sale
Nebraska
Nebraska requires both the buyer and seller to sign the bill of sale in front of a notary for all private vehicle sales. This applies to every transaction, with no dollar or age thresholds.
The state doesn’t require you to use its specific DMV form, but whatever form you use must be notarized. The notarized bill of sale is used to support your title application and calculate sales tax.
Louisiana
Louisiana requires a notarized bill of sale for all private vehicle sales. Both the buyer and seller must sign in front of a state-recognized notary public. The state’s official form is DPSMV 1690.
There is one narrow exception: if the sale price is written on the title and the title itself is notarized, a separate notarized bill of sale is not required. In practice, most private sellers use a standalone bill of sale to keep things clean and clear for the OMV (Office of Motor Vehicles).
Note that notarization is not required for sales involving a Louisiana-licensed dealer. That exemption only applies to dealer transactions, not private-party sales.
Maryland
Maryland currently requires a notarized bill of sale when both of these conditions apply:
- The vehicle is less than 7 years old
- The sale price is more than $500 below the vehicle’s book value
When both conditions apply, you must use Maryland’s official form VR-181. Both the buyer and seller must sign it in front of a notary. The MVA (Motor Vehicle Administration) uses this form to confirm the actual sale price before calculating the excise tax.
If the sale price is within $500 of book value, Maryland accepts the price written on the title. No separate bill of sale is needed in that case.
Heads up: Maryland’s General Assembly is moving through a bill (SB 125) to repeal this requirement entirely, making room for e-titling. Until that takes effect, the rule above still applies. Check with the Maryland MVA before your sale if you’re cutting it close.
West Virginia
West Virginia requires a notarized bill of sale when the sale price is less than 50% of the vehicle’s NADA Clean Loan Book value. Without it, the state taxes you on the full NADA value instead of what you actually paid.
The official form is DMV-7-TR. Both buyer and seller must sign in front of a notary, and you’ll also need to include a copy of each person’s driver’s license with the paperwork.
Learn more: What is a Bill of Sale for a Car? (Seller Guide + Templates)
Wyoming and Kentucky: Title Notarization, Not Bill of Sale
Wyoming and Kentucky both come up in searches for bill of sale notarization states, but the requirement in both states is different. What they require is the seller’s signature on the vehicle title to be notarized, not a separate bill of sale document.
In Wyoming, the title signature must be notarized. A bill of sale is recommended but notarizing it is not a legal requirement. In Kentucky, the same applies: the title must be notarized, and a separate notarized bill of sale is generally not required for standard in-state sales.
Learn more: What States Require Vehicle Title to Be Notarized?
Quick Reference: Bill of Sale Notarization by State
The table below shows the notarized bill of sale status for all 50 states. “Conditional” means the state only requires it in specific situations.
| State | Required? | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Nebraska | Yes, all sales | Required for all private vehicle sales. Both parties must sign before a notary. |
| Louisiana | Yes, all sales | Required for all private sales. Use Form DPSMV 1690. Not required for licensed dealer sales. |
| Maryland | Conditional (changing) | Currently required when the car is under 7 years old and sale price is more than $500 below book value (Form VR-181). SB 125 is repealing this requirement. Still applies until October 1, 2026. |
| West Virginia | Conditional | Required when sale price is below 50% of NADA Clean Loan Book value. Use Form DMV-7-TR. |
| Alabama | No | Title transfer only. Bill of sale recommended but not required to be notarized. |
| Alaska | No | Title transfer only. Bill of sale not required to be notarized. |
| Arizona | No | Title transfer only. No notarized bill of sale required. |
| Arkansas | No | Bill of sale (Form 10-313) required but does not need to be notarized. |
| California | No | Title transfer only. No notarized bill of sale required. |
| Colorado | No | Bill of sale required if title has no room for price, but does not need to be notarized. |
| Connecticut | No | Bill of sale required for vehicles over 20 years old but does not need to be notarized. |
| Delaware | No | Title transfer only. No notarized bill of sale required. |
| Florida | No | Title transfer only. No notarized bill of sale required. |
| Georgia | No | Title transfer only. No notarized bill of sale required. |
| Hawaii | No | Title transfer only. No notarized bill of sale required. |
| Idaho | No | Title transfer only. No notarized bill of sale required. |
| Illinois | No | Title transfer only. No notarized bill of sale required. |
| Indiana | No | Title transfer only. No notarized bill of sale required. |
| Iowa | No | Title transfer only. No notarized bill of sale required. |
| Kansas | No | Title transfer only. No notarized bill of sale required. |
| Kentucky | No, title only | Bill of sale not required to be notarized. Kentucky requires the seller’s title signature to be notarized instead. |
| Maine | No | Bill of sale required but does not need to be notarized. |
| Massachusetts | No | Bill of sale required for registration but does not need to be notarized. |
| Michigan | No | Title transfer only. No notarized bill of sale required. |
| Minnesota | No | Title transfer only. No notarized bill of sale required. |
| Mississippi | No | Title transfer only. No notarized bill of sale required. |
| Missouri | No | Bill of sale required for vehicles under 10 years old but does not need to be notarized. |
| Montana | No | HB165 removed the notarization requirement as of October 1, 2025. A simple signed statement (unsworn declaration) is now sufficient for standard private sales. |
| Nevada | No | Title transfer only. No notarized bill of sale required. |
| New Hampshire | No | Bill of sale required for vehicles 1999 and older but does not need to be notarized. |
| New Jersey | No | Title transfer only. No notarized bill of sale required. |
| New Mexico | No | Title transfer only. No notarized bill of sale required. |
| New York | No | Bill of sale required for registration but does not need to be notarized. |
| North Carolina | No | Title transfer only. No notarized bill of sale required. |
| North Dakota | No | Not required for standard sales. Notarization may be needed if title is missing and a bonded title application is used. |
| Ohio | No | Title transfer only. No notarized bill of sale required. |
| Oklahoma | No | Bill of sale or Declaration of Purchase Price required but does not need to be notarized. |
| Oregon | No | Title transfer only. No notarized bill of sale required. |
| Pennsylvania | No | Title transfer only. No notarized bill of sale required. |
| Rhode Island | No | Bill of sale required but does not need to be notarized. |
| South Carolina | No | Title transfer only. No notarized bill of sale required. |
| South Dakota | No | Bill of sale required for registration but does not need to be notarized. |
| Tennessee | No | Title transfer only. No notarized bill of sale required. |
| Texas | No | Title transfer only. No notarized bill of sale required. |
| Utah | No | Title transfer only. No notarized bill of sale required. |
| Vermont | No | Bill of sale (Form VT-005) required but does not need to be notarized. |
| Virginia | No | Bill of sale required for vehicles over 5 years old but does not need to be notarized. |
| Washington | No | Bill of sale required if price and date are not on the title, but does not need to be notarized. |
| Wisconsin | No | Title transfer only. No notarized bill of sale required. |
| Wyoming | No, title only | Bill of sale not required to be notarized. Wyoming requires the seller’s title signature to be notarized instead. |
Why Some States Require Notarization
The states that require notarized bills of sale all share the same core reason: they want verified proof of the actual sale price before calculating how much tax is owed.
Without a notarized document, buyers could claim a lower sale price to reduce their tax bill. A notary confirms both parties’ identities, verifies they signed willingly, and creates a legally binding record that’s harder to dispute later.
How to Get Your Bill of Sale Notarized
The process is straightforward once you know what to bring.
- Find a notary. Most banks, UPS Stores, libraries, and real estate offices have notaries on staff. Many areas also have mobile notaries who will come to you.
- Bring a government-issued photo ID. Both buyer and seller need one. In West Virginia, you also need to bring a copy of each person’s driver’s license to submit with the DMV paperwork.
- Don’t sign ahead of time. The notary must witness your signature in person. A pre-signed document won’t be accepted.
- Pay the fee. Most notaries charge between $2 to $15 per signature. Some banks offer free notarization for their customers. Mobile notaries typically charge more, around $25 to $100, since they travel to you.
- Check whether remote notarization is accepted. Many states now allow notarization via video call with a certified online notary. Confirm your state accepts this for vehicle documents before scheduling.
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FAQ
Do I need a notarized bill of sale to sell my car in Texas?
No. Texas doesn’t require a notarized bill of sale. You just need to properly transfer the title and file the required paperwork with the Texas DMV.
Do I need a notarized bill of sale to sell my car in California?
No. California handles ownership transfer through the title. A notarized bill of sale is not required as long as the title is correctly completed and signed.
Do I need a notarized bill of sale to sell my car in Florida?
No. Florida processes private vehicle sales through the title alone. No notarized bill of sale is required.
Do I need a notarized bill of sale to sell my car in New York?
No. New York requires a bill of sale to register a privately purchased vehicle, but it does not need to be notarized.
What’s the difference between notarizing the title vs. the bill of sale?
Title notarization means the seller’s signature on the actual certificate of title is witnessed by a notary. Bill of sale notarization is on a separate document that records the transaction details.
Wyoming and Kentucky require the title to be notarized. Nebraska and Louisiana require the bill of sale to be notarized. Maryland and West Virginia require the bill of sale under certain conditions.
Does a notarized bill of sale replace the vehicle title?
No. The vehicle title is still the primary legal document for transferring ownership. A bill of sale, whether notarized or not, is a supporting document that records the transaction details.
In rare cases where the title is missing, a notarized bill of sale can help support a bonded title application. But for standard sales, you need both.
Can I notarize a bill of sale online?
Yes, many states now allow remote online notarization (RON), where you sign via video call with a certified online notary. Not every state accepts it for vehicle documents, so confirm your state’s rules before scheduling one.
Is a handwritten bill of sale valid if it’s notarized?
Yes, as long as it includes the required information (vehicle details, buyer and seller info, sale price, date), a handwritten bill of sale can be notarized and is legally valid in most states.
Maryland and West Virginia require their official state forms (VR-181 and DMV-7-TR) when notarization is triggered. You can’t substitute a handwritten form in those states.
Article Update History
This article was verified against official DMV sources for all 50 states, including Montana's recent law change removing its notarization requirement.
Originally posted and shared with our readers.