Is notarization required in North Dakota?

Not typically required statewide; most private vehicle sales complete a bill of sale without notarization. However, counties or lenders may request notarized signatures or RON for lien releases. Confirm requirements with the county treasurer or North Dakota DMV before final submission.

What should be included in the bill of sale?

Include full legal names, addresses, VIN, make, model, year, sale price, date of transfer, odometer reading, and any statement about liens or defects. A clear bill of sale supports title applications and tax reporting, and reduces disputes after the sale.

Can I use electronic signatures on the bill of sale?

Yes; electronic signatures are generally enforceable under federal ESIGN and state electronic signature laws when intent, consent, attribution, and record retention are present. Ensure the eSignature provider captures an audit trail and supports required authentication for the transaction.

How should existing liens be handled?

Disclose outstanding liens on the bill of sale and obtain written payoff or lien release from the lender before transfer. If a lien remains, the buyer risks encumbrance; lenders must be contacted to complete title transfer safely.

When should I file title and register the vehicle?

File the title application and register the vehicle at the county treasurer or DMV as soon as possible, typically within 30 days of sale. Timely filing avoids late fees and ensures proper tax assessment and insurance coverage for the new owner.

What if information is incorrect after signing?

If errors are found after signing, correct them with a written amendment signed by both parties, or re-execute a new bill of sale. Notify the county treasurer and follow their procedures to correct title records to avoid registration problems.

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North Dakota Vehicle Bill of Sale

North Dakota Vehicle Bill of Sale

This template is fully customizable. Edit the text, fill out the fields, and send it for signature. Give it a try!

BILL OF SALE OF AUTOMOBILE

To be completed upon sale of motor vehicle.

State of North Dakota

County of

$

FOR AND IN CONSIDERATION OF Dollars ($ ) cash in hand,

paid me this day in full by (Buyer(s),

"Seller(s)" do hereby bargain and sell to Buyer(s) the

following personal property:

One (1) Motor Vehicle

Make

Model

Body Type

Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)

Year:

The said property I guarantee is my own and free of all claims and offsets of any and all kinds.

To have and to hold the same unto Buyer(s) and Buyer(s) executors, administrators and assigns, forever.

Seller(s) hereby covenant to and with Buyer(s) that Seller(s) is the true and lawful owner(s) of the above-described motor vehicle, that the same is free from all encumbrances whatsoever except (lienholder), that Seller(s) has good right to sell the same as aforesaid, and that Seller will warrant and defend the same against all lawful claims and demands whatsoever except the above lien, if any.

Seller(s)

Signature

Print Name:

Signature

Print Name:

SWORN TO AND SUBSCRIBED BEFORE ME, this the day of , 20

NOTARY PUBLIC

My Commission Expires:

ODOMETER DISCLOSURE STATEMENT

To be completed by Transferor (Seller)

Federal law (and State law, if applicable) requires that you state the mileage upon transfer of ownership. Failure to complete or providing a false statement may result in fines and/or imprisonment.

I, , state that the odometer now reads miles and to the best of my knowledge that it reflects the actual mileage of the vehicle described below, unless one of the following statements is checked.

I hereby certify that to the best of my knowledge the odometer reading reflects the amount of mileage in excess of its mechanical limits.

I hereby certify that the odometer reading is NOT the actual mileage.
WARNING - ODOMETER DISCREPANCY.

Make

Model

Body Type

Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)

Year:

Signature of Transferor (Seller):

Transferor's (Seller's) Information

Transferor's Name (Please Type or Print):

Street Address:

City:

State:

Zip:

Transferee's (Buyer's) Information

Transferee's Name (Please Type or Print):

Street Address:

City:

State:

Zip:

Signature of Transferee (Buyer):

DATE OF STATEMENT:

STATE OF NORTH DAKOTA

COUNTY OF

SWORN TO AND SUBSCRIBED BEFORE ME, this the day of , 20

NOTARY PUBLIC

My Commission Expires:

ORIGINAL MUST BE PROVIDED WITH APPLICATION FOR A CERTIFICATE OF TITLE

What the North Dakota Vehicle Bill of Sale Is

A North Dakota Vehicle Bill of Sale is a written record documenting the transfer of ownership of a motor vehicle between a seller and a buyer within North Dakota. It establishes the parties' identities, vehicle details (VIN, make, model, year), sale price or consideration, date of transfer, odometer disclosure where required, and any conditions or liens. While the state issues the title as the primary ownership document, a bill of sale provides proof for registration, title applications, tax calculations, and dispute resolution, and helps both parties meet administrative and legal requirements for vehicle transfer.

Why a Bill of Sale Matters for Vehicle Transfers

A clear North Dakota Vehicle Bill of Sale documents payment, condition, and transfer date, reduces ownership disputes, and supports title applications, registration, and tax reporting at the county or state level.

Who Typically Uses This Document

Buyers, sellers, dealers, and county or state agents rely on a North Dakota Vehicle Bill of Sale to document the terms and evidence of a vehicle transfer.

Private seller and buyer transactions for cars, trucks, motorcycles and recreational vehicles.
Dealers documenting trade-ins, wholesale transfers, fleet sales, or vehicles sold without immediate title.
Lenders or lienholders recording security interests when a title shows a lien.

Both buyer and seller should keep signed copies for registration, tax reporting, proof of transfer, and to resolve potential post-sale disputes.

Typical Signers and Their Roles

Private Seller

A private seller should list full legal name, contact information, VIN, odometer reading, sale price, and disclose known defects. Accurate entries reduce liability risk and speed title transfer at the county treasurer or DMV office; retain a copy for tax records.

Dealer Representative

Dealership staff complete bills of sale for retail or wholesale transactions, verify title status, process lien releases, and provide customers with required odometer disclosures. Dealers must follow state transfer rules and keep transaction records to support audits and warranty claims.

Core Components of a Professional Bill of Sale

A professional North Dakota Vehicle Bill of Sale contains consistent sections that support title processing, tax reporting, and dispute resolution with clear, auditable information for both parties.

Parties

List full legal names, current mailing addresses, and contact details for both seller and buyer. Include driver's license numbers if requested by the county or to aid identity verification during title processing.

Vehicle Details

Record VIN, make, model, year, color, body type, and engine details where applicable. Accurate vehicle descriptions prevent registration delays and support law enforcement checks and insurance verification.

Consideration

Specify numeric sale price, trade-in values, or non-monetary consideration precisely. Vague phrases like 'value received' complicate tax reporting and creditor claims; clarity reduces disputes over payment terms.

Odometer

Include exact mileage at transfer and an odometer disclosure statement as required under federal or state law. Accurate mileage protects against federal penalties and buyer claims of misrepresentation.

Signatures

All sellers and buyers must sign and date the bill of sale; printed names should accompany signatures. Notarization or witness statements may be required by some counties.

Disclosures & Liens

Disclose known defects, salvage history, and outstanding liens. Record lender information and payoff amounts; unresolved liens can delay title transfer and create legal exposure for buyers.

Required Information and Fields at a Glance

Vehicle VIN: Enter the vehicle's 17-character VIN exactly.

Make, Model, Year: Provide full manufacturer, model, and model year.

Buyer Name: Full legal name as on ID.

Seller Name: Full legal name and contact information.

Sale Price: Numeric amount and payment method.

Odometer Reading: Enter mileage; include disclosure if required.

Penalties and Risks of Errors or Omissions

Incorrect VIN: May invalidate transfer.

Missing Signatures: Title may not be accepted.

Odometer Errors: Could trigger state penalties.

Unreleased Lien: Buyer may inherit debt.

Late Registration: Penalty fees and fines.

Fraud Risk: Civil and criminal exposure.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Using vague consideration language such as 'value received' can complicate tax reporting and make enforcement harder if parties later dispute price.
Failing to list existing liens or loans can leave the buyer liable for outstanding balances and complicate title transfer at the DMV.
Entering abbreviations or nicknames for legal names may cause the county treasurer to reject registration or delay processing until corrected.
Relying on unsigned or scanned agreements without proper signatures or notarization can weaken proof of transfer in disputes or insurance claims.

Step-by-Step: Completing the Bill of Sale

Follow these steps to complete a North Dakota Vehicle Bill of Sale accurately and prepare for title transfer and registration.

01

Gather Details: Collect VIN, make, model, year, and odometer reading.
02

Complete Form: Enter buyer and seller legal names and address.
03

Sign & Date: All parties sign, include dates and printed names.
04

Submit to DMV: Use with title application and pay required fees.

How the Transfer Process Works

Overview of the transfer flow: from drafting the bill of sale to registering the vehicle with North Dakota DMV.

Draft Document: Use a template including VIN, names, price, date, and odometer.
Sign Parties: Buyer and seller sign; include printed names and dates.
Notarize if Required: Obtain notary or witnesses if state or county requires them.
Register Title: Submit bill of sale with title and fees to DMV.

Typical Online Workflow Settings for Digital Completion

Typical online workflow settings for completing and submitting a North Dakota Vehicle Bill of Sale.

Field	Configuration
Signature Field	Required; supports typed, drawn, or uploaded signature
Authentication Level	Email or SMS code authentication
Date Field	Use MM/DD/YYYY; auto-fill option available
Odometer Field	Numeric only; include disclosure checkbox
Attach Title	Optional but recommended; PDF or image formats accepted

Platform Capabilities to Consider

Choose a platform that supports PDF and DOCX imports, audit trail capture, and secure signer authentication for legal validity.

File Formats: PDF and DOCX supported.
Integrations: Works with Google Workspace and NetSuite.
Security: TLS 1.2/1.3 and AES-256 storage.

Key Deadlines and Processing Expectations

Key dates and typical processing times for North Dakota vehicle transfers and related filings at DMV offices.

Title Transfer Deadline:

Submit title within 30 days of sale to avoid penalties.

Odometer Disclosure Deadline:

Provide disclosure at time of sale or at title application.

Tax Payment Timing:

Pay applicable motor vehicle tax at registration.

Processing Time Estimate:

County processing typically three to ten business days.

Record Retention Reminder:

Keep signed copies for at least three years.

Key Milestones from Sale to Title Update

Sequential milestones from agreement to completed title transfer, showing typical actions and checkpoints for common vehicle sales.

01

Agreement Signed

Parties sign bill of sale and record payment terms.

02

Odometer & Disclosure

Seller records mileage and signs disclosure statement.

03

Lien Clearance

Payoff liens and obtain release documents if applicable.

04

Title Submission

Submit title, bill of sale, and fees to county DMV.

Practical Tips for Accurate Completion

Practical tips to reduce processing delays and legal exposure when preparing a North Dakota Vehicle Bill of Sale.

Verify identity with government-issued ID

Confirm buyer and seller identities using current government-issued identification and record ID numbers if permitted. Keep copies of ID with the bill of sale to help resolve disputes, satisfy lender inquiries, and support title transfer requirements.

Check title status and lien information before closing

Obtain the vehicle's title status and lien information before closing. If a lien exists, confirm payoff instructions in writing; ensure lien releases are processed and reflected on the title to protect buyers from hidden encumbrances.

Use clear consideration language and document trade-ins

State the exact dollar amount and payment method, and document any trade-ins or deposits. Clear terms reduce tax ambiguity and minimize disputes over refunded amounts, conditional sales, or installment payment obligations.

Keep signed originals for both parties and records

Retain a signed copy for both parties and provide receipts for payment. Store digital copies in encrypted storage and keep physical copies according to state retention practices to support title corrections or tax inquiries.

How a Bill of Sale Compares to the Vehicle Title

Quick comparison of the bill of sale and the vehicle title to clarify purpose and use when transferring ownership.

Document Type	Bill of Sale	Vehicle Title
Legal Effect	proof of sale	legal ownership
State Recording	not typically recorded	issued by dmv
Use in Registration	supports title application	primary document
Lien Notation	listed if disclosed	listed on title

eSignature Pricing and Feature Comparison for Document Signing

Price and feature overview for eSignature options commonly used to sign and submit vehicle bills of sale; signNow is shown first for comparison.

	signNow	DocuSign	Adobe Sign	PandaDoc	HelloSign
Starting Price	$8/user/mo	$15/user/mo	$14/user/mo	$19/user/mo	$15/user/mo
Free Trial	7-day free trial	Varies by plan	Varies by plan	Varies by plan	Varies by plan
Bulk Send	Yes (Business Premium)	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
Audit Trail	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Envelope Cap	No cap	100 envelopes/user/yr	Varies	Varies	Varies

FAQs: Common Questions About the North Dakota Vehicle Bill of Sale

Answers to common questions about completing, signing, and submitting a North Dakota Vehicle Bill of Sale.

Need help? Contact support

Is notarization required in North Dakota?
Not typically required statewide; most private vehicle sales complete a bill of sale without notarization. However, counties or lenders may request notarized signatures or RON for lien releases. Confirm requirements with the county treasurer or North Dakota DMV before final submission.
What should be included in the bill of sale?
Include full legal names, addresses, VIN, make, model, year, sale price, date of transfer, odometer reading, and any statement about liens or defects. A clear bill of sale supports title applications and tax reporting, and reduces disputes after the sale.
Can I use electronic signatures on the bill of sale?
Yes; electronic signatures are generally enforceable under federal ESIGN and state electronic signature laws when intent, consent, attribution, and record retention are present. Ensure the eSignature provider captures an audit trail and supports required authentication for the transaction.
How should existing liens be handled?
Disclose outstanding liens on the bill of sale and obtain written payoff or lien release from the lender before transfer. If a lien remains, the buyer risks encumbrance; lenders must be contacted to complete title transfer safely.
When should I file title and register the vehicle?
File the title application and register the vehicle at the county treasurer or DMV as soon as possible, typically within 30 days of sale. Timely filing avoids late fees and ensures proper tax assessment and insurance coverage for the new owner.
What if information is incorrect after signing?
If errors are found after signing, correct them with a written amendment signed by both parties, or re-execute a new bill of sale. Notify the county treasurer and follow their procedures to correct title records to avoid registration problems.

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