Overview
Selling or buying a used vehicle in Montana? A bill of sale is your proof of the deal — it records who sold what, for how much, and on what date. Montana transfers ownership through the assigned title and an Application for Certificate of Title (Form MV1), and a bill of sale (Form MV24) is used alongside it: it locks in the price, the exact handover date, and the fact that the seller is no longer responsible for tickets or accidents once the keys change hands.
Montana requirements
Is a bill of sale required in Montana?
Often, yes. Ownership transfers through the assigned title and Form MV1 at your county treasurer's office, and a bill of sale (Form MV24) is commonly required alongside it to document the price, VIN, and date of sale. It also proves you're no longer liable for the vehicle.
Does it need to be notarized?
No. As of October 1, 2025, Montana no longer requires titles to be notarized for individuals or businesses. A notarized bill of sale may still be needed in special cases — such as a bonded title or a transfer by power of attorney — but a routine private sale does not require notarization.
Title transfer deadline
The buyer has 40 days from the date of sale to apply for the title and register the vehicle at the county treasurer's office in their county of residence. Wait longer than 40 days and a $10 late fee applies.
Motor vehicle sales tax
Montana has no general state sales tax, so private-party used vehicle sales are not subject to sales or use tax. The buyer still pays title and registration fees at the county treasurer's office.
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 Montana 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 MV1 at the county treasurer's office within 40 days.
Ready to create your Montana 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
Montana bill of sale by vehicle type
The same Montanabuilder 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 your county treasurer's office (Montana MVD). Confirm the details with your county treasurer's office (Montana MVD).
Montana bill of sale FAQ
Does a Montana motor vehicle bill of sale need to be notarized?
No. As of October 1, 2025, Montana no longer requires titles to be notarized, and a routine private-party bill of sale doesn't need notarization either. It's only required in special cases like a bonded title or a transfer under power of attorney.
Do I need a bill of sale to sell a car in Montana?
Usually yes — Montana commonly requires a bill of sale (Form MV24) alongside the assigned title and Form MV1 to document the price, VIN, and sale date. It also proves you're no longer responsible for the vehicle after the sale.
Where do I transfer the title in Montana?
At the county treasurer's office in your county of residence, which handles titling and registration for the Montana Motor Vehicle Division. The buyer brings the assigned title, a completed Form MV1, the bill of sale, and payment for the title and registration fees.
How long do I have to transfer the title in Montana?
The buyer has 40 days from the date of sale to apply for the title and register the vehicle at the county treasurer's office. Wait longer than 40 days and a $10 late fee applies, so don't wait.
How much is sales tax on a used car in Montana?
There's no general state sales tax in Montana, so private-party used vehicle sales aren't taxed. The buyer still pays title and registration fees at the county treasurer's office when transferring ownership.
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 Montana?
Yes — a handwritten bill of sale is valid as long as it has the key details, though the state's Form MV24 is the standard. A complete, typed document like this one is simply cleaner and far less likely to be questioned at the county treasurer's office.
Is this Montana 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.