How to Fill Out a Bill of Sale in North Carolina
A step-by-step guide to every field on a North Carolina vehicle bill of sale — with a free filled-in example you can download instantly.
North Carolina publishes no official bill of sale form — you write your own — but the state compensates with a strict signing rule: the assignment on a North Carolina title must be NOTARIZED. So the fill-out sequence is: complete your private bill of sale (parties, vehicle, VIN, odometer, price, date), complete the title's assignment section, and sign the TITLE only before a notary. The bill of sale itself needs no notary — but since you're already at the bank or law office for the title, many parties notarize both in the same five minutes. Instead of a sales tax, the buyer pays North Carolina's 3% Highway Use Tax (capped for some vehicle classes) — on a private sale it is based on the vehicle's market value, not the price you record — one of the lowest vehicle transfer taxes in the country. The buyer then has 28 days after the transfer to title at an NC DMV license plate agency.
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State rules change. We check these requirements against official state sources, but details can go out of date. Confirm with your state's motor vehicle agency before you rely on them. If you notice anything wrong or outdated, email support@billofsale.app.
Step-by-Step: Every Field Explained
Seller Information
- Full legal name
- Current mailing address
- City, state, ZIP code
- Phone number (optional but recommended)
Buyer Information
- Full legal name
- Current mailing address
- City, state, ZIP code
- Phone number (optional)
Vehicle Description
- Vehicle year (4-digit)
- Make (manufacturer — e.g., Ford, Toyota)
- Model (e.g., F-150, Camry)
- Body style (e.g., sedan, pickup, SUV)
- Color
- VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) — 17 characters, found on the dashboard or door jamb
- Odometer reading at time of sale
Sale Details
- Sale price in US dollars (write out both numerals and words — e.g., "$8,500 — Eight thousand five hundred dollars")
- Payment method (cash, check, electronic transfer)
- Date of sale (month / day / year)
- Note: the buyer pays North Carolina tax at registration (Highway Use Tax)
Seller Signature
- Seller's signature (must match title)
- Printed name
- Date signed
Buyer Signature
- Buyer's signature
- Printed name
- Date signed
Get a Pre-Filled North Carolina Example
Use the generator above to create a filled-in North Carolina bill of sale example in under 60 seconds. Fields are set up for North Carolina — a notary acknowledgment section included, the NC vehicle tax rules noted, and 28-day title transfer deadline noted.
Other Forms Required in North Carolina
Along with the bill of sale, you may need these additional documents for a North Carolina vehicle transfer:
- Form MVR-1 (Title Application)
- Form MVR-180 (Odometer Disclosure)
- Form MVR-613 (Highway Use Tax exemption — gifts between certain family members)
Frequently Asked Questions
What must a North Carolina bill of sale contain?
What exactly needs the notary in North Carolina?
What is the Highway Use Tax and what does it cost the buyer?
Where does the buyer complete the transfer?
North Carolina Bill of Sale Hub
All requirements, tax rates, deadlines, and forms for North Carolina.
View North Carolina guide →North Carolina Bill of Sale Form
Documents a private vehicle sale in NC (price and odometer). The notarized title assignment plus Form MVR-1 carry the transfer; the vehicle's market value less trade-in sets the 3% Highway Use Tax.
Form guide →