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The bottom line: Only 10 states require a notarized vehicle title when selling or transferring ownership: Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Montana, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Washington, and Wyoming. If your state isn’t on this list, no notarization is required.
In most of these states, only the seller’s signature needs to be notarized. Kentucky, Ohio, and Pennsylvania require both the buyer and seller to sign in front of a notary.
Louisiana and Montana have an extra step. Both states also require the bill of sale to be notarized, not just the title.
Oklahoma rolled out electronic titles in 2025. Paper title transfers in Oklahoma still require a notarized seller signature, and the requirement carries over to the electronic process as well.
If you’d rather skip the extra paperwork that comes with a private sale, you can compare offers from multiple services with Sell Car Advisor and sell to a dealer or online buyer instead.
Key Takeaways
- Never sign the title before reaching the notary. The notary must watch you sign or the notarization is not valid.
- Notary fees typically run $5 to $25 per signature. Many banks offer free notarization for their customers.
- Pennsylvania is the only state on this list that requires a special form (MV-4ST), available only through PennDOT-authorized agents, not at a standard DMV office.
- Washington lets you skip finding a separate notary entirely. You can complete notarization at any vehicle licensing office.
- In the other 40 states, you just sign and date the back of the title. No notary needed.
- For private sales in any of these states, KeySavvy can help protect both parties by handling secure payment alongside the title transfer.
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States Requiring Notarization (10 States)
| State | Who Must Sign | Bill of Sale Also Notarized? |
|---|---|---|
| Kentucky | Buyer and seller | No |
| Louisiana | Seller only | Yes |
| Mississippi | Seller only | No |
| Montana | Seller only | Yes |
| North Carolina | Seller only | No |
| Ohio | Buyer and seller | No |
| Oklahoma | Seller only | No |
| Pennsylvania | Buyer and seller | No |
| Washington | Seller (all registered owners) | No |
| Wyoming | Seller only | No |
Kentucky
Kentucky requires both the buyer and seller to sign the title in front of a notary public. Bring a government-issued photo ID, and make sure the name on your ID matches the name on the title exactly.
If there are multiple owners on the title, each person needs their signature notarized. They don’t have to do it at the same time.
Louisiana
Louisiana requires only the seller’s signature notarized on the title. It’s also one of two states where the bill of sale must be notarized as well, so plan for two notarizations.
If you’re handling the sale for a deceased person, you’ll need court documents proving you’re the legal representative in addition to the standard title and ID.
Mississippi
Mississippi requires the seller’s signature to be notarized on all vehicle title transfers. You have 7 business days after the sale to complete the title transfer at the DMV.
Montana
Montana requires the seller’s signature notarized on both the title and the bill of sale. One unique rule: Montana allows “open title” notarization, meaning you can get the title notarized before you’ve even found a buyer. Most states don’t allow this.
North Carolina
North Carolina only requires the seller’s signature to be notarized. You have 28 days after the sale to transfer the title. Bring a photo ID and the completed original title.
Ohio
Ohio requires both the buyer and seller to have their signatures notarized. If one party can’t be present, they’ll need to provide a notarized power of attorney. Ohio requires in-person notarization specifically for vehicle titles.
Oklahoma
Oklahoma requires the seller’s signature to be notarized. The state rolled out electronic titles in 2025, but the notarization requirement still applies to paper title transfers. You have 30 days after the sale to complete the title transfer.
Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania requires both buyer and seller to have their signatures notarized. You must use Form MV-4ST, which is only available through PennDOT-authorized agents, not at a regular DMV office.
Washington
Washington requires all registered owners to sign the vehicle title application in front of a licensed notary or at a vehicle licensing office. Washington gives you the option to complete the notarization right at a licensing office instead of finding a separate notary.
Wyoming
Wyoming requires the seller’s signature to be notarized on all vehicle title transfers. Keep a copy of the notarized title and a signed bill of sale as your proof that the transfer happened.
What to Know Before You Go to the Notary
Don’t sign before you get there. The notary has to watch you sign the document. If you sign ahead of time, the notarization is not valid and you’ll have to start over with a duplicate title.
Bring the right ID. Government-issued photo ID is required. Your driver’s license works fine. The name on your ID must match the name on the title exactly.
Check for a lien. If there’s still money owed on the car, the lender may need to be involved in the title transfer. Confirm this before you schedule notarization.
Online notarization is an option in some states. Services like NotaryCam or PandaDoc Notary let you get notarized remotely for about $15 to $30. Not every state on this list accepts online notarization for vehicle titles, so check with your DMV first.
Out-of-state sales have different rules. This guide covers in-state private sales only. If you’re selling to someone in another state, requirements may vary depending on where the title was issued and where the buyer will register the car. Always check with both states’ DMV offices before completing the transfer.
Laws change. State DMV requirements are updated regularly. Always confirm the current rules with your state’s official DMV website before completing any title transfer.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if I sign the title before seeing the notary?
The notary can’t stamp a pre-signed document. You’d have to apply for a duplicate title from your state DMV, wait for it to arrive, and start the process over.
Duplicate title fees typically run $6 to $72 depending on your state.
Can I use an online notary for a vehicle title?
Some states accept remote online notarization (RON) for vehicle titles.
Not all 10 states on this list allow it. Washington, for example, specifically permits signing at a vehicle licensing office as an alternative to a traditional notary.
Check with your state DMV before booking an online notary session.
Does the notarization requirement apply when selling to a dealership?
In most of these 10 states, the notarization requirement applies to all title transfers, including dealer sales.
Montana is an exception: business titles in Montana don’t require notarization. Confirm the specific requirement directly with the dealership before the sale.
What states require the bill of sale to be notarized?
Louisiana and Montana require both the title and the bill of sale to be notarized.
West Virginia requires a notarized bill of sale only when the purchase price is below 50% of the NADA book value, but doesn’t require title notarization.
If you’re selling privately, make sure you understand both requirements for your state.
Learn more: What States Require a Bill of Sale to Be Notarized
What if I’m selling to someone in another state?
Out-of-state sales can involve requirements from both states. The rules depend on where the current title was issued and where the buyer plans to register the car.
Check with both states’ DMV offices before completing the transfer.
Learn more: How to Sell a Car Out of State
Where can I find a notary for a vehicle title?
Banks, UPS stores, AAA offices, and many credit unions offer notary services, often for free or for a small fee. Some states also let you sign at a vehicle licensing office or tag agency.
Notary fees typically run $5 to $25 per signature.
Article Update History
State notarization requirements don't change often, but we verified every state on this list against current DMV sources and corrected two facts that had changed since this article was last updated. The 10 states listed here still require notarization.
Originally posted and shared with our readers.