Free North Dakota Gift Bill of Sale

North Dakota Gift Bill of Sale — What You Need to Know

Sales Tax Details

North Dakota normally charges a 5% motor vehicle excise tax on vehicle purchases — the statute says on the purchase price, while NDDOT's 2026 private-party bill of sale form (SFN 62502) says fair market value.

Exemption: Gifts between spouses, parent and child, siblings, or grandparent and grandchild are exempt from North Dakota's 5% motor vehicle excise tax; apply for title within 30 days of receiving it

Inspection Requirements

North Dakota has no statewide vehicle emissions or safety inspection requirement for private vehicle transfers.

North Dakota Gift Sale — Step-by-Step Checklist

1. Confirm the recipient qualifies as immediate family: spouse, parent, child, sibling, grandparent, or grandchild.
2. Prepare a gift bill of sale listing VIN, year, make, model, odometer reading, $0 sale price, the family relationship, and both parties' names, addresses, and signatures.
3. Donor completes odometer disclosure on the title (required for vehicles of model year 2011 or newer).
4. Donor signs the title assignment section over to the recipient, writing 'Gift' in the purchase price field and noting the family relationship.
5. Complete ND DOT Form SFN 2872 (Application for Certificate of Title and Registration), noting the gift and the family relationship.
6. Recipient takes the signed title, SFN 2872, gift bill of sale, and proof of ND liability insurance to NDDOT (by mail or at a motor vehicle office) within 30 days of receiving the title.
7. Pay applicable title and registration fees (the 5% excise tax is waived for qualifying family gifts).

Common Pitfalls

• Not documenting the family relationship: if neither the title application nor the bill of sale clearly states the relationship, the gift exemption may not be applied.
• Assuming the 30-day window is forgiving: letting it lapse can put the registration at risk.
• Writing a nominal dollar amount instead of $0: entering a purchase price makes the transfer look like a sale rather than a gift.
• Skipping odometer disclosure on the title: for vehicles of model year 2011 or newer, odometer certification on the title is a federal requirement. An incomplete title will not transfer.

Pro Tip

North Dakota's 30-day window is standard — use it to get the paperwork organized without stress. Even so, don't wait: the longer the vehicle is driven without a title in the recipient's name, the more risk there is if the vehicle is involved in an accident or traffic stop. Completing the transfer within the first 30 days is a reasonable target.

North Dakota Gift Bill of Sale — FAQs