Bill of Sale Requirements by State
Which states require notarization or witnesses for a bill of sale, and what else to know before you sign.
Below is a state-by-state summary of whether a bill of sale needs notarization or a witness, and a practical note for each. Always confirm with your state DMV or agency before a high-value sale.
| State | Notary required | Witness | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | No | No | No notarization required; keep a signed copy for title transfer. |
| Alaska | No | No | No notarization required. |
| Arizona | No | No | No notarization required; bill of sale helps with title transfer. |
| Arkansas | No | No | No notarization required. |
| California | No | No | No notarization required, but a SMOG certificate is needed for vehicle sales. |
| Colorado | No | No | No notarization required. |
| Connecticut | No | No | No notarization required. |
| Delaware | No | No | No notarization required. |
| Florida | No | No | No notarization required; needed for vehicle title transfer. |
| Georgia | No | No | No notarization required. |
| Hawaii | No | No | No notarization required. |
| Idaho | No | No | No notarization required. |
| Illinois | No | No | No notarization required. |
| Indiana | No | No | No notarization required. |
| Iowa | No | No | No notarization required. |
| Kansas | No | No | No notarization required. |
| Kentucky | No | No | No notarization required. |
| Louisiana | Yes | No | Louisiana requires notarization for a vehicle bill of sale. |
| Maine | No | No | No notarization required. |
| Maryland | No | No | No notarization required. |
| Massachusetts | No | No | No notarization required. |
| Michigan | No | No | No notarization required. |
| Minnesota | No | No | No notarization required. |
| Mississippi | No | No | No notarization required. |
| Missouri | No | No | No notarization required. |
| Montana | Yes | No | Montana requires notarization for a vehicle bill of sale. |
| Nebraska | Yes | No | Nebraska requires notarization for a vehicle bill of sale. |
| Nevada | No | No | No notarization required. |
| New Hampshire | No | No | No notarization required. |
| New Jersey | No | No | No notarization required. |
| New Mexico | No | No | No notarization required. |
| New York | No | No | No notarization required; needed for DMV registration. |
| North Carolina | No | No | No notarization required. |
| North Dakota | No | No | No notarization required. |
| Ohio | No | No | No notarization required. |
| Oklahoma | No | No | No notarization required. |
| Oregon | No | No | No notarization required. |
| Pennsylvania | No | No | No notarization required. |
| Rhode Island | No | No | No notarization required. |
| South Carolina | No | No | No notarization required. |
| South Dakota | No | No | No notarization required. |
| Tennessee | No | No | No notarization required. |
| Texas | No | No | Notarization not required but recommended; title transfer at county tax office. |
| Utah | No | No | No notarization required. |
| Vermont | No | No | No notarization required. |
| Virginia | No | No | No notarization required. |
| Washington | No | No | No notarization required. |
| West Virginia | No | No | No notarization required. |
| Wisconsin | No | No | No notarization required. |
| Wyoming | Yes | No | Wyoming requires notarization for a vehicle bill of sale. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which states require notarization for a vehicle bill of sale?
Louisiana, Montana, Nebraska, and Wyoming require notarization for a vehicle bill of sale; Texas recommends it. Other states generally do not.
Do firearm bills of sale have special rules?
Yes — many states restrict private firearm transfers and require a licensed dealer (FFL) and background check. Use this form only where lawful.