Bill of Sale Requirements by State (All 50 States)
Every state has different rules for bill of sale documents: some require a bill of sale only in certain situations, some put a notary on the title rather than the bill of sale, and 8 states set no fixed day count for the title transfer. This comprehensive guide breaks down every state's requirements — updated for 2026.
At a Glance: Quick Facts
| State | BoS Required | Notary | Transfer Deadline | Sales Tax |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Only in some situations | Not required | 20 days | 2%State automotive rate (plus local tax) |
| Alaska | Not required | Not required | 30 days | None |
| Arizona | Not required | Only in some situations | 15 days | NoneNo TPT on private-party sales |
| Arkansas | Required | Not confirmed | 60 days | See state rules |
| California | Only in some situations | Not required | 10 days | 7.25% |
| Colorado | Only in some situations | Not required | 60 days | 2.9% |
| Connecticut | Required | Not required | No fixed deadline | 6.35%6.35% (7.75% over $50,000) |
| Delaware | Not confirmed | Not confirmed | 30 days | 5.25%Document Fee |
| Florida | Only in some situations | Not required | 30 days | 6% |
| Georgia | Only in some situations | Not required | 7 business days | See state rulesTAVT (Title Ad Valorem Tax) |
| Hawaii | Only in some situations | Only in some situations | 30 days | Noneuse tax (out-of-state purchases only) |
| Idaho | Required | Not confirmed | 30 days | 6% |
| Illinois | Not confirmed | Not required | 20 days | See state rulesPrivate-party RUT-50 (flat-dollar) |
| Indiana | Only in some situations | Not confirmed | 45 days | 7% |
| Iowa | Only in some situations | Not confirmed | 30 days | 5%Fee for New Registration |
| Kansas | Only in some situations | Not required | 60 days | 6.5% |
| Kentucky | Only in some situations | Title assignment | 15 days | 6%Motor Vehicle Usage Tax |
| Louisiana | Only in some situations | Title or bill of sale | 40 days | 5% |
| Maine | Required | Not required | No fixed deadline | 5.5% |
| Maryland | Only in some situations | Not required | No fixed deadline | 6.5%excise tax |
| Massachusetts | Only in some situations | Not confirmed | 10 days | 6.25% |
| Michigan | Not required | Not confirmed | 15 days | 6% |
| Minnesota | Not required | Not confirmed | 20 days | 6.875% |
| Mississippi | Only in some situations | Not confirmed | 30 business days | See state rules |
| Missouri | Only in some situations | Not required | 30 days | 4.225% |
| Montana | Not required | Not required | 40 days | None |
| Nebraska | Required | Not required | 30 days | 5.5% |
| Nevada | Only in some situations | Not required | 30 days | NoneNo sales tax on private-party sales |
| New Hampshire | Only in some situations | Not required | 20 days | None |
| New Jersey | Required | Only in some situations | 10 business days | 6.625% |
| New Mexico | Only in some situations | Not required | 30 days | 4%Motor Vehicle Excise Tax |
| New York | Required | Only in some situations | 30 days | 8% |
| North Carolina | Not required | Title assignment | 28 days | See state rulesHighway Use Tax |
| North Dakota | Only in some situations | Not required | 30 days | 5%Motor Vehicle Excise Tax |
| Ohio | Not required | Title assignment | 30 days | 5.75% |
| Oklahoma | Only in some situations | Title or bill of sale | 2 months | See state rulesexcise tax |
| Oregon | Only in some situations | Not required | 30 days | None |
| Pennsylvania | Not required | Title assignment | 20 days | 6% |
| Rhode Island | Required | Only in some situations | No fixed deadline | 7% |
| South Carolina | Only in some situations | Not required | 45 days | See state rulesInfrastructure Maintenance Fee (capped $500) |
| South Dakota | Required | Not required | 45 days | 4%motor vehicle excise tax |
| Tennessee | Not required | Only in some situations | No fixed deadline | 7% |
| Texas | Not required | Not required | 30 days | 6.25% |
| Utah | Not required | Not required | No fixed deadline | 4.85% |
| Vermont | Required | Not required | No fixed deadline | 6% |
| Virginia | Only in some situations | Not required | 30 days | 4.15% |
| Washington | Required | Only in some situations | 15 days | 6.5% |
| West Virginia | Only in some situations | Only in some situations | No fixed deadline | 6% |
| Wisconsin | Not required | Not required | 2 business daysif the vehicle will be operated | 5% |
| Wyoming | Only in some situations | Title assignment | 45 days | 4% |
States Where a Notary Is Part of the Transfer
In these states an ordinary private sale includes a notarized document. The label shows which one:
In Arizona, Hawaii, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Washington, West Virginia, a notary is needed only in some situations. Each state page explains when.
Tip: Even in states where notarization isn't legally required, you should consider notarizing for transactions over $5,000 — it adds a powerful legal protection at minimal cost ($5-$15).
Fastest vs. Slowest Title Transfer Deadlines
Business-Day Deadlines
- 2 business days: Wisconsin — If the vehicle will be operated, WisDOT says the buyer should title and register it within two business days after purchase (Wis. Stat. §341.04(1)(bm)2).
- 7 business days: Georgia — Register within 7 business days of purchase (O.C.G.A. 40-2-29) and bring the title application; title and TAVT late penalties start after 30 days.
- 10 business days: New Jersey
- 30 business days: Mississippi — Register within 30 working days, not counting the delivery date; the title application is filed with the tag application.
Shortest Calendar-Day Deadlines
- 10 days: California, Massachusetts
- 15 days: Arizona, Kentucky, Michigan, Washington
Longest Deadlines
- 60 days: Arkansas, Colorado, Kansas
- 45 days: Indiana, South Carolina, South Dakota, Wyoming
- 2 months: Oklahoma — Pre-register the sale within 2 business days, then title, register and pay tax within two months of the sale (Service Oklahoma's current rule). The statute text (47 O.S. § 1107(A)) still says 30 days, so confirm with Service Oklahoma.
No Fixed Day Count
- Connecticut — Connecticut sets no fixed day count for a private buyer: the car cannot be driven or parked on a highway until it is registered in the buyer's name.
- Maine — Maine sets no fixed day count for a private buyer: the vehicle must be registered before it is driven on a public way.
- Maryland — Maryland sets no fixed day count: apply promptly after delivery; MVA may charge an extra fee if the title paperwork arrives more than 30 days after delivery.
- Rhode Island — Rhode Island sets no fixed day count: apply promptly after delivery (R.I. Gen. Laws §31-3.1-12(b)); sales tax is due by the 20th of the month after the purchase, even if the vehicle is not registered.
- Tennessee — Tennessee sets no fixed day count: title and register the vehicle before driving it on a public road; the 30 days on the DOR site is for new residents.
- Utah — Utah sets no fixed day count: the buyer must apply for a new title and registration before driving the vehicle on a highway (Utah Code 41-1a-703).
- Vermont — Vermont law sets no fixed deadline for the buyer (23 V.S.A. §2023); the DMV's 60 days applies only to people moving to Vermont.
- West Virginia — West Virginia sets no fixed day count: register and apply for title before driving; the buyer may drive up to 10 days on the seller's registration with written consent.
States That Don't Tax a Private Vehicle Sale
These states charge no state-level tax on a private-party (casual) vehicle sale:
- Alaska — no state sales tax (some local taxes)
- Arizona — casual sales are not subject to transaction privilege tax
- Hawaii — casual sales are excluded from the general excise tax
- Montana — no sales tax
- Nevada — no sales tax on private-party sales
- New Hampshire — no sales tax
- Oregon — no sales tax
Delaware has no sales tax but charges a Document Fee on vehicle transfers, including private sales. Buying in these states doesn't necessarily avoid tax — if you register in a taxed state, you'll pay use tax based on your registration state's rate.
Common Additional Requirements by State
Smog / Emissions Testing
Required for most vehicles in: California, many counties in Texas (Houston/Dallas-Fort Worth metros), Colorado, New York City metro area, Washington, Connecticut, Illinois, Oregon, Utah (Wasatch Front), and parts of Nevada, Arizona, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Georgia.
Safety Inspection
Required for private sales in: Delaware, Hawaii, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Texas (commercial only as of 2025), Utah, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia.
NOT required in: California, Florida, Arizona, Colorado, Michigan, Minnesota, Washington, Oregon, and most Southern/Midwestern states.
VIN Verification
Required for out-of-state vehicles in most states. California, Florida, Washington, Oregon, Arizona, and Colorado have specific VIN verification processes.
How to Use This Guide
- Identify your state in the table above
- Click your state name to see detailed requirements, FAQs, and forms
- Generate a bill of sale that matches your state's rules
- Complete the transaction following state-specific steps
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