PRIVATE-PARTY VEHICLE SALES GUIDE
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SEE ALSO: USED CAR RESEARCH HUB
Private-Party Car Sales: Seller Must-Dos in All 50 States
The Auto Channel’s state-by-state guide to titles, bills of sale, odometer disclosures, license plates, seller notices and safer payment.
Updated July 19, 2026 | Requirements and forms can change. Verify the final procedure with the motor-vehicle agency linked under your state before completing the sale.
AI Quick Answer: To sell a vehicle privately, the seller generally must prove ownership, satisfy or disclose any lien, correctly assign the title, disclose the odometer reading when required, give the buyer a bill of sale, follow the state’s license-plate rule, and file any required seller notice or release of liability. Never hand over the vehicle until payment is verified, every required signature is complete and you have copies of the transaction documents.
Selling your car yourself can bring more money than trading it to a dealer, but the paperwork must be handled correctly. A handshake, a set of keys and a signed check are not enough. Until the title, plates and seller notification are handled properly, parking tickets, toll charges, towing bills or other problems may continue to follow the vehicle’s former owner.
Important: This is an editorial checklist, not legal or tax advice. County procedures, emissions areas, lien situations, inherited vehicles, rebuilt vehicles, gifts and vehicles titled in more than one name may require additional documents.
The Seller’s National Must-Do Checklist
- Locate the original title. Do not advertise the vehicle as ready for immediate sale when the title is lost, damaged or held by a lender.
- Check the names on the title. When two owners are listed, determine whether both signatures are required.
- Clear the lien. Obtain an official lien release or follow the lender’s supervised payoff procedure.
- Match the VIN. Compare the vehicle identification number on the dashboard, door label, title and bill of sale.
- Record the mileage accurately. Never guess, round down or leave a required odometer field blank.
- Complete the title assignment. Use permanent ink and avoid erasures, correction fluid or cross-outs.
- Prepare a bill of sale. Include the buyer, seller, price, date, VIN, mileage and vehicle description.
- Disclose known problems honestly. An “as-is” statement does not protect a seller who conceals defects or makes false claims.
- Verify the payment. Confirm funds directly with the issuing financial institution before releasing the car.
- Handle the plates correctly. Plates stay with the seller in many states, but remain with the vehicle in some jurisdictions.
- File the seller notice. Submit any notice of sale, transfer notification or release of liability promptly.
- Keep copies. Retain the signed title information, bill of sale, payment record and seller-notice confirmation.
- Cancel insurance at the proper time. Do not cancel coverage before the vehicle has been delivered and your state’s plate or registration requirements have been completed.
Safer Ways to Accept Payment
- Complete the sale inside the buyer’s bank or your own bank whenever possible.
- For a cashier’s check, call the issuing bank using a phone number you independently locate—not a number printed on an email or supplied by the buyer.
- Do not accept an overpayment and return the “extra” money.
- Do not rely on a screenshot showing that a transfer is pending.
- Do not accept installment payments unless a properly drafted security agreement protects you.
- Do not sign a blank title or give the buyer an open title.
- Photograph or scan every completed document before the buyer leaves.
What to Put in the Bill of Sale
| Information | What to Record |
|---|---|
| Seller | Full legal name, address and contact information. |
| Buyer | Full legal name, address and contact information. |
| Vehicle | Year, make, model, body style, color and VIN. |
| Transaction | Date, exact sale price and payment method. |
| Mileage | Exact odometer reading and the required mileage-status statement. |
| Condition | Known defects, promised repairs and any written “as-is” language permitted by state law. |
| Included property | Keys, manuals, accessories, spare tire and additional equipment. |
| Signatures | Buyer and seller signatures; notarization when required. |
Federal Odometer Rule
Federal law generally requires an odometer disclosure when ownership is transferred. Beginning with 2011-model-year vehicles, disclosure generally continues for the vehicle’s first 20 model years. Model-year 2010 and older vehicles remain subject to the older federal exemption framework. A state may still require mileage information on its title or transfer documents.
Never mark the mileage as “actual” when the odometer is broken, has rolled over, was replaced, or does not reflect the vehicle’s true mileage. Use the state-approved mileage status.
Choose Your State
AL
AK
AZ
AR
CA
CO
CT
DE
FL
GA
HI
ID
IL
IN
IA
KS
KY
LA
ME
MD
MA
MI
MN
MS
MO
MT
NE
NV
NH
NJ
NM
NY
NC
ND
OH
OK
OR
PA
RI
SC
SD
TN
TX
UT
VT
VA
WA
WV
WI
WY
Alabama
- Complete the assignment on the Alabama certificate of title, including buyer information, sale date, price and mileage when required.
- Provide a bill of sale. County licensing offices may require specific information or a locally approved form.
- Provide a lien release when a lien still appears on the title record.
- Remove your Alabama license plate before delivering the vehicle. The seller’s plate does not automatically become the buyer’s plate.
- Keep copies of the assigned title and bill of sale and notify your insurer after the transfer is complete.
Alaska
- Complete and sign the title assignment, entering the buyer’s name, address, price and required odometer information.
- Give the buyer a bill of sale and any required lien release.
- Remove or properly transfer the seller’s plates according to Alaska DMV instructions.
- File Alaska’s seller notice or vehicle-transfer notification when applicable so the state record reflects the sale.
- Keep the buyer’s identifying information and copies of all signed documents.
Arizona
- Sign and complete the Arizona title assignment. Follow the title’s notarization instructions when notarization is required.
- Complete a sold notice through the Arizona Motor Vehicle Division promptly after the transaction.
- Remove the seller’s license plate from the vehicle before delivery.
- Provide a bill of sale, odometer disclosure when required and an original lien release if a lien appears.
- Keep the sold-notice confirmation and copies of the sale documents.
Arkansas
- Complete the assignment section on the Arkansas title and accurately record the sale price and mileage.
- Provide the buyer with a bill of sale and lien release when applicable.
- Remove the seller’s license plate before the buyer takes the vehicle.
- Cancel or transfer the registration only after the sale has been completed.
- Keep copies showing the date and identity of the buyer.
California
- Sign the California Certificate of Title and complete the odometer disclosure when required.
- Provide a valid smog certification when the transaction is not covered by a California exemption.
- Submit California’s Notice of Transfer and Release of Liability promptly; the state instructs sellers to file it within five days.
- California standard plates usually remain with the vehicle. Personalized or special-interest plates may require separate action.
- Keep the buyer’s name, address and sale information exactly as submitted on the release-of-liability notice.
Colorado
- Sign and date the title, complete the buyer section and enter the odometer reading when required.
- Provide a bill of sale showing the time and date of sale, purchase price and vehicle identification information.
- Remove the seller’s Colorado license plates before releasing the vehicle.
- Provide emissions documentation when the vehicle and buyer’s county are subject to Colorado emissions rules.
- Retain copies and report the sale through the state’s available vehicle-sale reporting process.
Connecticut
- Complete and sign the title assignment when the vehicle is titled.
- Give the buyer a completed Connecticut bill of sale with the VIN, price and transaction date.
- Remove the license plates and cancel or transfer the registration through the Connecticut DMV.
- Return plates when required or retain proof that the registration was canceled.
- Do not cancel insurance until the plate and registration requirements have been completed.
Delaware
- Complete the assignment of ownership on the Delaware title, including mileage when required.
- Give the buyer a bill of sale and an original lien release when applicable.
- Follow Delaware DMV instructions for retaining, transferring or surrendering the seller’s plate.
- Complete the seller’s report of sale or transfer documentation required by the DMV.
- Keep a copy of the signed title information and proof of the transaction.
Florida
- Complete the Florida title assignment, including the buyer’s information, purchase price and odometer disclosure.
- Florida encourages the buyer and seller to complete the transfer together at a motor-vehicle service center.
- File a Notice of Sale and/or Bill of Sale so the state record reflects that the vehicle was sold.
- Remove the seller’s Florida plate. Florida license plates normally remain with the seller, not the vehicle.
- Maintain insurance as required until the plate has been transferred or surrendered and the registration issue is resolved.
Georgia
- Complete the assignment on the Georgia title and provide the required odometer information.
- Prepare a bill of sale identifying the vehicle, parties, price and date.
- Remove the seller’s Georgia license plate before the buyer takes possession.
- Cancel the registration through Georgia’s motor-vehicle system after the plate is removed.
- Keep a copy of the bill of sale and title assignment.
Hawaii
- Vehicle registration and title transfers are administered by Hawaii’s counties, so use the procedure for the county where the vehicle is registered.
- Complete the title assignment, odometer disclosure and any county transfer form.
- Give the buyer the current registration and safety-inspection documentation requested by the county.
- Submit the seller’s notice of transfer or release section promptly.
- Confirm the county’s plate rule before removing or leaving plates on the vehicle.
Idaho
- Complete the Idaho title assignment with the buyer’s information, sale price and odometer reading.
- File Idaho’s release-of-liability or vehicle-sale notice promptly.
- Remove the seller’s license plates before delivering the vehicle.
- Give the buyer a bill of sale and lien release when applicable.
- Retain confirmation that the seller notice was filed.
Illinois
- Sign and complete the Illinois title assignment and enter the mileage when required.
- Remove the seller’s Illinois plates. The seller may transfer eligible plates to another vehicle.
- Complete and submit the seller’s report-of-sale portion or online seller notification.
- Provide the buyer with a bill of sale and lien release when applicable.
- Keep the seller-report confirmation and transaction documents.
Indiana
- Complete the seller and purchaser portions of the Indiana certificate of title.
- Enter the odometer reading and sale price where required.
- Remove the seller’s Indiana license plate before the vehicle is delivered.
- Provide the buyer with a bill of sale and lien release if necessary.
- Keep copies, particularly when the buyer will title the vehicle in another state.
Iowa
- Complete the Iowa title assignment, including purchase price and odometer information.
- Provide a bill of sale. Iowa counties may require a bill of sale during the buyer’s title application.
- Remove the seller’s plates unless an Iowa rule specifically permits them to remain in the transaction.
- Provide any damage-disclosure statement required for the vehicle.
- File or retain the seller’s notice-of-sale documentation offered by Iowa.
Kansas
- Complete the assignment on the Kansas title, including buyer information, price and mileage.
- Provide a bill of sale when needed to document the transaction or when the title lacks adequate sale-price information.
- Remove the seller’s Kansas license plate before delivery.
- Give the buyer an original lien release when a lien is shown.
- Keep signed copies and confirm whether a seller notification is appropriate for the transaction.
Kentucky
- Complete the assignment and odometer section on the Kentucky certificate of title.
- Title-transfer signatures generally must be notarized. Do not sign early unless the notary instructs you to do so.
- The safest procedure is for buyer and seller to complete the transaction together at the county clerk’s office.
- Remove the seller’s Kentucky plate before the buyer takes the vehicle unless the county clerk directs otherwise.
- Do not rely solely on the buyer’s promise to transfer the title. Keep proof that the transfer was submitted.
Louisiana
- Complete the Louisiana title assignment and required odometer statement.
- Use the state-approved bill of sale or act-of-sale documentation and follow applicable notarization requirements.
- Provide an original lien release if the title or state record shows a lien.
- Submit Louisiana’s notice of vehicle transfer through the Office of Motor Vehicles.
- Remove or surrender the plate as directed for the plate type and transaction.
Maine
- Complete and sign the title assignment when the vehicle is required to have a title.
- Give the buyer a bill of sale showing the vehicle, price, date and parties.
- Complete the odometer disclosure for vehicles subject to the requirement.
- Remove the seller’s Maine plates before delivering the vehicle.
- Keep a copy of the bill of sale and cancel or transfer the registration appropriately.
Maryland
- Complete the Maryland title assignment and odometer disclosure.
- Use a notarized bill of sale when Maryland requires it, including transactions in which the declared price must be formally documented.
- Provide the buyer with the Maryland safety-inspection certificate when required for registration.
- Remove the seller’s Maryland plates and return or transfer them according to MVA instructions.
- Do not cancel Maryland insurance before the plates have been returned or properly transferred.
Massachusetts
- Complete and sign the Massachusetts title assignment and record the mileage.
- Give the buyer a bill of sale listing the sale price, date and full vehicle description.
- Remove the seller’s Massachusetts plates and transfer or cancel the registration.
- The buyer is responsible for obtaining insurance, registration and the required post-registration inspection.
- Keep proof of plate cancellation or transfer before changing insurance coverage.
Michigan
- Complete the Michigan title assignment, including buyer information, sale price and odometer disclosure.
- Michigan recommends that the buyer and seller visit a Secretary of State office together to complete the transfer.
- Remove the seller’s Michigan license plate before delivering the vehicle.
- Provide a lien termination or release when a lien appears.
- Keep a copy of the reassigned title or a signed bill of sale for your records.
Minnesota
- Complete the seller section of the Minnesota title, including sale date, price and odometer reading.
- Submit Minnesota’s seller report of sale promptly after delivery.
- Provide the buyer with a bill of sale and lien release when applicable.
- Plate treatment can depend on the plate and vehicle type; follow Driver and Vehicle Services instructions instead of assuming the plates must be removed.
- Keep the report-of-sale confirmation.
Mississippi
- Complete and sign the assignment on the Mississippi certificate of title.
- Provide the required odometer disclosure and lien release.
- Give the buyer a bill of sale, especially when needed to establish the sale price.
- Remove the seller’s Mississippi license plate before delivery.
- Keep copies and contact the county tax collector regarding registration or plate credit.
Missouri
- Complete the Missouri title assignment, including the price, sale date and mileage.
- Provide the buyer with a properly completed safety inspection and emissions documentation when required.
- Provide a lien release when a lien appears on the title.
- Remove the seller’s Missouri plates before delivery.
- Report the sale to the Missouri Department of Revenue using the required notice-of-sale or bill-of-sale procedure.
Montana
- Complete the Montana title assignment and odometer disclosure.
- Follow Montana’s notarization instructions for the seller’s title signature.
- Give the buyer a bill of sale and lien release when applicable.
- Remove the seller’s Montana plates before the vehicle is delivered.
- Retain copies and file any available seller notification or vehicle-disposal record.
Nebraska
- Complete the Nebraska title assignment with the sale date, buyer information and odometer reading.
- Give the buyer a bill of sale and lien release when required.
- Remove the seller’s Nebraska plates before delivery.
- Cancel or transfer the registration and seek any available credit through the county treasurer.
- Keep copies of the title assignment and bill of sale.
Nevada
- Complete and sign the Nevada title assignment and odometer disclosure.
- Remove the seller’s Nevada plates before delivering the vehicle.
- Cancel the registration or transfer the plates through Nevada DMV services.
- Submit Nevada’s online vehicle-resale notification when applicable.
- Give the buyer a bill of sale and keep a duplicate.
New Hampshire
- Complete the title assignment if the vehicle is titled under New Hampshire law.
- Provide a bill of sale containing the buyer, seller, VIN, price and transaction date.
- Complete the odometer disclosure when required.
- Remove the seller’s plates before the buyer takes the vehicle.
- Keep the bill of sale and deal with the registration through the appropriate municipal clerk or DMV office.
New Jersey
- Complete the New Jersey title assignment, including the buyer’s name and address, sale date, price and mileage.
- Give the buyer a bill of sale and lien release when applicable.
- Remove the seller’s New Jersey plates before delivery.
- Transfer or surrender the plates to the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission.
- Keep copies of the title information and plate-surrender receipt.
New Mexico
- Complete the assignment on the New Mexico title and provide the required mileage statement.
- Give the buyer a bill of sale, especially when the sale price is not fully documented on the title.
- Provide an original lien release when necessary.
- Remove the seller’s plate unless New Mexico MVD instructions authorize another disposition.
- Submit the state’s notice of vehicle sold when available and retain confirmation.
New York
- Complete the seller section on the New York title, including the odometer and damage-disclosure statements when required.
- Provide the buyer with the title and New York’s required statement-of-transaction or bill-of-sale documentation.
- Remove both New York license plates before delivery.
- Surrender or transfer the plates before canceling New York liability insurance.
- Remove the registration and inspection stickers as directed and keep proof of the transaction.
North Carolina
- Complete the North Carolina title assignment and odometer disclosure.
- The seller’s title signature generally must be notarized. Sign in front of the notary as instructed.
- Provide a damage-disclosure statement when required.
- Remove the seller’s North Carolina plate before delivery.
- Return or transfer the plate before canceling insurance to avoid an insurance-lapse issue.
North Dakota
- Complete the North Dakota title assignment with buyer information, sale price and mileage.
- Provide a bill of sale and lien release when applicable.
- Remove the seller’s North Dakota plates before releasing the vehicle.
- File a seller notification when provided by the North Dakota Department of Transportation.
- Keep signed copies and proof of the transaction date.
Ohio
- Complete the Ohio title assignment, including the buyer, price, date and odometer reading.
- The seller’s signature on an Ohio title generally must be notarized.
- Remove the seller’s Ohio license plates before the vehicle is delivered.
- Give the buyer an original lien release if a lien appears.
- Keep a copy of the assigned title or bill of sale and transfer or retain eligible plates.
Oklahoma
- Complete the Oklahoma title assignment and odometer disclosure.
- Follow current Oklahoma notarization instructions for title assignments and supporting documents.
- Beginning under Oklahoma’s revised vehicle-registration system, private-sale vehicles are subject to state pre-registration and temporary-operation procedures.
- Remove the seller’s plate when required under Oklahoma’s current plate-retention rules.
- Provide a bill of sale and lien release and keep proof of the exact delivery date.
Oregon
- Complete the Oregon title assignment, odometer disclosure and bill of sale.
- Notify Oregon DMV of the sale or transfer promptly using the state’s seller-notification process.
- Oregon plates often remain with the vehicle, but certain plate types may be retained or transferred. Verify the rule for your plates.
- Provide emissions documentation when required for the buyer’s registration area.
- Keep the seller-notification confirmation and copies of the transaction documents.
Pennsylvania
- Complete the Pennsylvania title transfer in the presence of an authorized PennDOT agent or notary as required.
- Do not sign the title in advance when the signature must be witnessed.
- Record the odometer reading and provide lien-release documentation when applicable.
- Remove the seller’s Pennsylvania plate before delivery.
- Return, transfer or securely retain the plate and registration card according to PennDOT rules.
Rhode Island
- Complete the Rhode Island title assignment when the vehicle is titled.
- Provide a bill of sale containing the VIN, sale price, date and buyer and seller information.
- Complete the odometer disclosure when required.
- Remove the seller’s Rhode Island plates before delivery and cancel or transfer the registration.
- Keep a plate-return or registration-cancellation receipt before ending insurance.
South Carolina
- Complete the South Carolina title assignment and odometer disclosure.
- Provide the buyer with a bill of sale when required to document price or vehicle information.
- Remove the seller’s South Carolina plate before delivering the vehicle.
- Submit the state’s notice of vehicle sold or plate-disposition documentation.
- Keep proof of sale before canceling insurance or transferring the plate.
South Dakota
- Complete the South Dakota title assignment, including buyer information, purchase price and mileage.
- Submit a seller’s report of sale through the state system when required.
- Remove the seller’s South Dakota plates before delivery.
- Give the buyer a bill of sale and lien release when applicable.
- Retain the report-of-sale confirmation and copies of all signed paperwork.
Tennessee
- Complete the Tennessee title assignment with the buyer, sale price, date and odometer information.
- Give the buyer a bill of sale and lien-release documentation when applicable.
- Remove the seller’s Tennessee plate before the buyer takes possession.
- Transfer or dispose of the plate through the county-clerk process.
- Keep copies and confirm whether your county requires additional documentation.
Texas
- Complete the Texas title assignment and provide the buyer with the signed title and required title application information.
- Record the sale price and odometer reading accurately.
- Submit a Texas Vehicle Transfer Notification promptly after the sale.
- Texas advises sellers to accompany the buyer to the county tax office when possible.
- Remove the license plates and registration sticker unless you deliberately follow a Texas-authorized alternative.
Utah
- Complete the Utah title assignment and odometer disclosure.
- Give the buyer a bill of sale showing the VIN, price and sale date.
- Remove the seller’s Utah plates before delivery.
- Submit Utah’s notification that the vehicle has been sold.
- Keep copies of the title assignment, bill of sale and seller-notification confirmation.
Vermont
- Complete the Vermont title assignment when a title is required for the vehicle.
- Provide a bill of sale and odometer disclosure using Vermont-approved information or forms.
- Give the buyer any supporting ownership documents required for an older or previously exempt vehicle.
- Remove the seller’s Vermont plates and cancel or transfer the registration.
- Keep copies and confirm current title eligibility because Vermont’s title rules have changed over time.
Virginia
- Complete the Virginia title assignment, including buyer, price, date and odometer information.
- Remove the seller’s Virginia plates before delivering the vehicle.
- Notify the Virginia DMV that the vehicle has been sold and deactivate or transfer the plates.
- Give the buyer a bill of sale and lien release when applicable.
- Notify your city or county when needed to stop local personal-property tax billing.
Washington
- Complete the Washington title assignment and odometer disclosure.
- Remove the seller’s Washington license plates before the vehicle is delivered.
- File a Washington Report of Sale promptly and retain the confirmation.
- Give the buyer a bill of sale and lien-release documentation.
- Destroy or remove applicable toll passes and update toll-account records.
West Virginia
- Complete the West Virginia title assignment and odometer statement.
- Follow West Virginia’s notarization requirements for the title and bill of sale.
- Provide an original lien release when a lien appears.
- Remove the seller’s West Virginia license plate before delivery.
- Keep copies and transfer or return the plate according to DMV instructions.
Wisconsin
- Complete the Wisconsin title assignment with the buyer, sale date, price and mileage.
- Submit Wisconsin’s seller notification promptly after selling the vehicle.
- Remove the seller’s Wisconsin plates unless the state directs that the particular plate stays with the vehicle.
- Provide the buyer with a bill of sale and lien release when applicable.
- Keep the seller-notification confirmation and signed copies.
Wyoming
- Complete the Wyoming title assignment and odometer disclosure.
- Follow the title’s notarization instructions and sign in front of a notary when required.
- Give the buyer a bill of sale and original lien release.
- Remove the seller’s Wyoming license plates before delivery.
- Keep copies and contact the county clerk regarding plate transfer or registration credit.
Before You Hand Over the Keys
- Payment has cleared or has been verified directly by the issuing bank.
- The title contains no blank required fields.
- All owners listed on the title have signed as required.
- The VIN and mileage are correct on every document.
- The buyer has received copies, not your only copies.
- You have removed personal items, electronic toll devices and stored garage-door codes.
- Your phone has clear photographs of the signed title information, bill of sale and buyer identification information lawfully provided for the transaction.
- The plates have been removed or left with the vehicle according to your state’s rule.
- The seller notice or release of liability has been filed.
Protect Yourself During a Test Drive
- Meet in daylight at a bank, police-department exchange area or busy public location.
- Ask to see a valid driver’s license before allowing anyone to drive.
- Confirm that your insurance permits the test drive.
- Photograph the license with permission or record the person’s name and license information.
- Do not let a stranger test-drive the vehicle alone merely because another person stayed behind.
- Remove the title and other sensitive documents from the glove compartment.
- Do not provide a prospective buyer with a photograph of the complete title before meeting.
Immediately After the Sale
- File the state seller notice, report of sale or release of liability.
- Save the online confirmation as a PDF or printed record.
- Transfer, surrender or retain the plate according to state law.
- Remove the vehicle from toll, parking, roadside-assistance and connected-car accounts.
- Delete home addresses, contacts, garage codes and mobile devices from the vehicle’s infotainment system.
- Notify the insurance company after the legal transfer and plate requirements are complete.
- Retain the records for several years in case a tax, title, toll or liability question arises.