Does A Bill Of Sale Need To Be Notarized? (2026)

What Is a Notarized Bill of Sale?

A notarized bill of sale is a document that offers information on the sale of the vehicle and has been validated by a public notary. Both parties have to sign the document in front of a licensed notary, who then stamps and seals the document.

Does a Bill of Sale Need to Be Notarized?

Notarization could be required, depending on your state. West Virginia, for example, notes the requirement right on the bill of sale form. Maryland has a conditional notarization requirement. Maryland requires a notarized bill of sale when the buyer wishes to pay the excise tax on the vehicle’s fair market value but it falls into either of the following two categories:

• Seven model years or older, and the actual purchase price is less than the $640 statutory minimum
• Total purchase price is $500 or more below the published retail value

Louisiana, West Virginia and New Hampshire also require a notarized bill of sale. Montana formerly required a notarized bill of sale, but it amended its law in 2025 to remove the notarization requirement.

Some states additionally require a notarized title or title application. In Ohio, a bill of sale does not need to be notarized, though the state’s vehicle title application must be sworn before a notary. This requirement distinguishes a bill of sale vs. title in Ohio.

In the majority of other states, however, the signature of both parties is enough to make the transaction legal. Nebraska requires the seller to provide the buyer with a signed bill of sale or a completed Sales/Use Tax Statement (Form 6). However, the state does not require notarization of either document.

When Is Notarization Required?

When you sell a car privately, it’s a good idea to have a notary involved. The same is true if you're conducting a sale across state lines or if the vehicle is a high-ticket item. Different types of bills of sale may also have different state requirements depending on the property being transferred, such as vehicles, boats, or firearms.

When notarization is mandatory, the state may require you to use its official form with the exact language required by law.

For example, Maryland requires buyers to submit a notarized bill of sale that "is designed by, and obtained from, the Administration" (Form VR-181), which includes a written explanation of why the vehicle’s price was below its published book value.

As a result, a non-state template will likely be rejected. Acquire the form from the DMV to ensure the state accepts your submission.

Benefits of Notarizing a Bill of Sale

A notary will identify and verify the parties involved, ensuring there is no fraud. If, for any reason, there is a dispute regarding the vehicle, having a notarized bill of sale can make it easier to resolve the problem. It functions as a record of what all parties agreed to when they signed the document. This can prevent the problem from escalating into a lawsuit.

Consequences of Not Notarizing a Bill of Sale

Not notarizing the bill of sale could result in disputes. Additionally, if your state requires notarization, the state may reject your document for the purposes submitted, including the following:

• Vehicle registration
• Title transfer
• Excise or sales tax calculation

For example, Maryland will calculate your excise taxes based on the published book value instead of the actual price paid when you submit a non-notarized bill of sale.

How to Get a Bill of Sale Notarized

To get the bill of sale notarized, the buyer and seller must sign it in front of a public notary. You will need to fill out the document and bring identification.

Who Can Notarize a Bill of Sale?

A licensed notary will be able to notarize the bill of sale. You can find them at banks, shipping company stores, credit unions and many other locations.

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