SD motor vehicle
South Dakota Motor Vehicle Bill of Sale
Sold or bought a used vehicle in South Dakota? Create a complete South Dakota motor vehicle bill of sale, preview it as you type, and download a print-ready PDF - free, no signup, no watermark.
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Overview
South Dakota at a glance
Reviewed July 2026
- Bill of sale
- Recommended
- Notarization
- Not required
- Transfer title within
- 45 days
- Excise tax
- 4%
- File at
- County treasurer
The odometer disclosure is federal law (49 CFR Part 580). Confirm current fees and deadlines with your local county treasurer's office (SD Motor Vehicle Division).
Selling or buying a used vehicle in South Dakota? A bill of sale is your proof of the deal - it records who sold what, for how much, and on what date. South Dakota transfers ownership through the signed title and the Application for Motor Vehicle Title & Registration (Form MV-608), but a bill of sale matters too: it documents the purchase price the county treasurer uses to figure your 4% excise tax, locks in the handover date, and shows the seller is no longer responsible for the vehicle once the keys change hands.
State rules
South Dakota requirements
The rules people ask about most, answered for South Dakota.
Is a bill of sale required in South Dakota?
It's strongly recommended. Ownership transfers through the signed title and Form MV-608 at your county treasurer's office, but the treasurer uses the bill of sale to verify the purchase price for excise tax - so it's effectively expected and protects both sides.
Does it need to be notarized?
No. South Dakota does not require a motor vehicle bill of sale to be notarized. You can notarize it voluntarily for extra proof, but it is not needed to transfer the title.
Title transfer deadline
The buyer must apply for title and registration at the county treasurer's office within 45 days of the purchase. After that a $1 per week late fee applies (up to $50), and applying more than 60 days out adds a penalty of 10% of the tax or $10, whichever is greater.
Motor vehicle excise tax
South Dakota charges a 4% motor vehicle excise tax on the purchase price, paid by the buyer at the county treasurer's office when titling. The price on your bill of sale is what the treasurer uses to calculate it.
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.
Rules change. Confirm the current requirements with your local county treasurer's office (SD Motor Vehicle Division) before you sign.
Step by step
How to fill it out
Enter the sale date and the South Dakota county where the sale takes place.
Add the seller's and buyer's full legal names and addresses.
Describe the vehicle - make, model, year, color, and 17-character VIN.
Record the odometer reading and the federal odometer disclosure.
Enter the purchase price and choose 'as-is' or add warranty terms.
Both parties sign - then the buyer files Form MV-608 at the county treasurer's office within 45 days.
Document checklist
What to include
Parties and vehicle
- Seller and buyerfull legal names and mailing addresses
- Vehicle descriptionmake, model, year, color and VIN
- Odometer readingplus the federal disclosure
Price, terms and signatures
- Purchase pricein figures and words, plus a sales-tax note
- As-is or warranty termsstate clearly which one applies
- Date of sale and signaturesboth parties sign and each keeps a copy
Common questions
South Dakota bill of sale FAQ
Does a South Dakota motor vehicle bill of sale need to be notarized?
No. South Dakota does not require a vehicle bill of sale to be notarized. The legal transfer happens through the signed title and Form MV-608 at your county treasurer's office - notarizing is optional and only adds extra proof.
Do I need a bill of sale to sell a car in South Dakota?
It's strongly recommended. The county treasurer relies on the bill of sale to confirm the purchase price for the 4% excise tax, and it proves the sale date and that you're no longer responsible for the vehicle after the sale.
Where do I transfer the title in South Dakota?
At your local county treasurer's office, which handles titling and registration for the South Dakota Motor Vehicle Division. The buyer brings the signed title, a completed Form MV-608, the bill of sale, and payment for the title fee and excise tax.
How long do I have to transfer the title in South Dakota?
The buyer has 45 days from the purchase date to title and register at the county treasurer's office. After 45 days a $1-per-week late fee builds up to $50, and after 60 days a 10% (or $10 minimum) penalty is added, so don't wait.
How much is tax on a used car in South Dakota?
4% - a motor vehicle excise tax calculated on the purchase price shown on your bill of sale. The buyer pays it at the county treasurer's office when titling, which is why an accurate sale price 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 South Dakota?
Yes - South 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 treasurer's office.
Is this South 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.
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