Overview
Selling or buying a used vehicle in North Dakota? A bill of sale is your proof of the deal — it records who sold what, for how much, and on what date. North Dakota transfers ownership through the assigned title and the Application for Certificate of Title & Registration (Form SFN 2872), 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.
North Dakota requirements
Is a bill of sale required in North Dakota?
Not strictly. Ownership transfers through the assigned title and Form SFN 2872 at the NDDOT. But a bill of sale is strongly recommended — it proves the price and sale date and shows you're no longer liable for the vehicle. North Dakota also offers an optional state bill of sale (Form SFN 2888).
Does it need to be notarized?
No. North Dakota does not require a motor vehicle bill of sale or the title to be notarized for a private sale. You can notarize the bill of sale voluntarily for extra proof, but it is not needed to transfer the title.
Title transfer deadline
The buyer must deliver the endorsed title and apply for a new title (Form SFN 2872) at the NDDOT within 30 days of receiving it. Missing the deadline can lead to registration being suspended and is a class B misdemeanor.
Motor vehicle excise tax
North Dakota charges a 5% motor vehicle excise tax, paid by the buyer at the NDDOT. It's based on the purchase price after any trade-in credit, so an accurate price on your bill of sale matters.
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 North Dakota 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 SFN 2872 at the NDDOT within 30 days.
Ready to create your North Dakota 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
North Dakota bill of sale by vehicle type
The same North Dakotabuilder 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 the North Dakota Department of Transportation (NDDOT). Confirm the details with the North Dakota Department of Transportation (NDDOT).
North Dakota bill of sale FAQ
Does a North Dakota motor vehicle bill of sale need to be notarized?
No. North Dakota does not require a vehicle bill of sale or the title to be notarized for a private sale. The legal transfer happens through the assigned title and Form SFN 2872 at the NDDOT — notarizing is optional and only adds extra proof.
Do I need a bill of sale to sell a car in North Dakota?
It isn't legally required to transfer the title (the assigned title and Form SFN 2872 handle that), but it's strongly recommended. 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 North Dakota?
At the North Dakota Department of Transportation (NDDOT) Motor Vehicle Division. The buyer brings the assigned title, a completed Form SFN 2872, proof of insurance, and payment for the title fee and excise tax.
How long do I have to transfer the title in North Dakota?
The buyer has 30 days from receiving the title to deliver it and apply for a new title at the NDDOT. Miss the window and your registration can be suspended, and it's a class B misdemeanor — so don't wait.
How much is tax on a used car in North Dakota?
North Dakota charges a 5% motor vehicle excise tax, based on the purchase price after any trade-in credit. The buyer pays it at the NDDOT when transferring the title, which 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 North Dakota?
Yes — North Dakota 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 NDDOT.
Is this North Dakota 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.