Overview
Selling or buying a used vehicle in Minnesota? A bill of sale is your proof of the deal — it records who sold what, for how much, and on what date. Minnesota transfers ownership through the signed title and the Application to Title and Register a Motor Vehicle (Form PS2000), but a bill of sale protects both sides: it locks in the price, the exact handover date, and the fact that the seller is no longer responsible for tickets, tolls, or accidents once the keys change hands.
Minnesota requirements
Is a bill of sale required in Minnesota?
Sometimes. Ownership transfers through the signed title and Form PS2000, but if the seller doesn't complete their portion of the application, a bill of sale can stand in its place. Either way it's strongly recommended — it proves the price and sale date and shows you're no longer liable for the vehicle.
Does it need to be notarized?
No. Minnesota does not require a motor vehicle bill of sale or the title assignment to be notarized for a private sale. You can notarize it voluntarily for extra proof, but it is not needed to transfer the title.
Title transfer deadline
The buyer must apply to transfer the title (Form PS2000) at a deputy registrar or DVS within 10 days of the sale. Filing late adds a $2 penalty, and the registration can be suspended if the title isn't filed within 30 days.
Motor vehicle sales tax
Minnesota charges 6.875% motor vehicle sales tax, paid by the buyer to the deputy registrar or DVS when the title is transferred. For private-party used sales it's based on the vehicle's purchase price.
Odometer disclosure
Federal law requires the odometer reading at the time of sale for vehicles under 20 model years old. Record it on both the bill of sale and the title.
How to fill it out
- 1
Enter the sale date and the Minnesota county where the sale takes place.
- 2
Add the seller's and buyer's full legal names and addresses.
- 3
Describe the vehicle — make, model, year, color, and 17-character VIN.
- 4
Record the odometer reading and the federal odometer disclosure.
- 5
Enter the purchase price and choose 'as-is' or add warranty terms.
- 6
Both parties sign — then the buyer files Form PS2000 at a deputy registrar within 10 days.
Ready to create your Minnesota bill of sale?
Fill the form, watch it build live, and download the PDF — free, no signup.
Open the free builderWhat to include
- Seller & buyer names and addresses
- Make, model, year, color & VIN
- Odometer reading + federal disclosure
- Purchase price & sales-tax note
- “As-is” statement or warranty terms
- Date of sale and signatures
Minnesota bill of sale by vehicle type
The same Minnesotabuilder works for more than cars — pick your vehicle and the form adapts: the right ID number (a VIN, a boat's HIN, or a serial number) and an odometer reading only where one applies.
- Car bill of sale
- Truck bill of sale
- SUV bill of sale
- Van bill of sale
- Motorcycle bill of sale
- ATV bill of sale
- RV bill of sale
- Camper bill of sale
- Trailer bill of sale
- Boat bill of sale
- Jet Ski bill of sale
- Snowmobile bill of sale
- Golf Cart bill of sale
- Tractor bill of sale
A few differ: boats and jet skis use a Hull ID Number (HIN) instead of a VIN and have no odometer; trailers, campers, snowmobiles, golf carts, and tractors have no odometer either; and boats, ATVs, and snowmobiles often register with a different agency (such as a wildlife, boating, or parks department) rather than Minnesota Driver and Vehicle Services (DVS) or a deputy registrar. Confirm the details with Minnesota Driver and Vehicle Services (DVS) or a deputy registrar.
Minnesota bill of sale FAQ
Does a Minnesota motor vehicle bill of sale need to be notarized?
No. Minnesota does not require a vehicle bill of sale to be notarized. The legal transfer happens through the signed title and Form PS2000 at a deputy registrar or DVS — notarizing is optional and only adds extra proof.
Do I need a bill of sale to sell a car in Minnesota?
Sometimes. The signed title and Form PS2000 handle the transfer, but a bill of sale can replace the seller's portion of the application — and it's recommended either way. It proves the price, the sale date, and that you're no longer responsible for the vehicle after the sale.
Where do I transfer the title in Minnesota?
At any deputy registrar office or through Driver and Vehicle Services (DVS). The buyer submits the signed title and a completed Form PS2000, along with payment for the title fee and the 6.875% sales tax.
How long do I have to transfer the title in Minnesota?
The buyer has 10 days from the date of sale to apply for the title transfer at a deputy registrar. Filing late adds a $2 penalty, and the plates can be suspended if it isn't filed within 30 days, so don't wait.
How much is sales tax on a used car in Minnesota?
6.875% — calculated on the vehicle's purchase price. The buyer pays it to the deputy registrar or DVS when transferring the title. This is why an accurate sale price on your bill of sale matters.
Do both the buyer and seller need to sign?
Yes. Both parties should sign and date the bill of sale, and each keeps a copy. If there are two buyers or two sellers, every party signs.
Is a handwritten bill of sale valid in Minnesota?
Yes — Minnesota doesn't mandate a specific bill of sale form, so a handwritten one is valid as long as it has the key details. A complete, typed document like this one is simply cleaner and far less likely to be questioned at the deputy registrar.
Is this Minnesota bill of sale really free?
Yes — completely. Fill it in, preview it live, and download the PDF with no signup, no credit card, and no watermark. Unlike sites that charge a fee or push a subscription to download, there's nothing to pay here.