North Dakota Vehicle Bill of Sale Overview
When buying or selling a vehicle privately in North Dakota, a bill of sale is the document that ties the entire transaction together. While the signed and notarized title is the legal instrument that transfers ownership, the bill of sale records the sale price, vehicle condition, and the identities of both parties — information that the county treasurer's office relies on to process the transfer and calculate the motor vehicle excise tax.
North Dakota stands out for its remarkably low title fee of just $5 — the lowest in the region and among the lowest in the entire country. The state charges a 5% motor vehicle excise tax on the purchase price rather than a traditional sales tax. The North Dakota DOT oversees titling and registration statewide, but the actual transactions are handled locally by county treasurers across the state's 53 counties.
North Dakota does not require emissions testing or vehicle safety inspections for private sales, which keeps the process straightforward. However, the title must be notarized when assigned to the new owner — so plan to have a notary present when signing the title over to the buyer.
5%
Excise tax rate
ASAP
Transfer deadline
Yes*
Notarization (title)
No
Emissions test
North Dakota DOT Requirements
North Dakota's vehicle transfer process runs through the county treasurer's office. Below are the documents and steps each party must provide for a valid transfer:
Important: Notarized Title Required
North Dakota requires the vehicle title to be notarized when the seller assigns it to the buyer. Both the seller's signature and the buyer's acceptance must be notarized. Plan to complete the title signing at a location with notary services — many banks and county offices provide free or low-cost notarization.
What the Seller Must Provide
- Notarized Vehicle Title: The seller must sign the title in front of a notary public, filling in the buyer's name, sale date, sale price, and odometer reading
- Bill of Sale: A completed bill of sale with buyer/seller information, full vehicle description, VIN, price, date, and both signatures
- Odometer Disclosure: Federal requirement for vehicles under 20 years old — must state the mileage and its accuracy on the title
- Damage Disclosure: North Dakota requires sellers to disclose any known damage exceeding a threshold amount
What the Buyer Must Bring to the County Treasurer
- Notarized Title: With seller's notarized signature and all fields completed
- Bill of Sale: Signed by both buyer and seller
- Valid Photo ID: North Dakota driver's license or state-issued ID
- Proof of Insurance: North Dakota minimum liability coverage ($25,000/$50,000/$25,000)
- Payment: Title fee ($5), registration fee (based on weight/age), and 5% motor vehicle excise tax
How to Fill Out a North Dakota Vehicle Bill of Sale
Follow these six steps to properly complete your North Dakota vehicle bill of sale. Our template walks you through each field to ensure everything is ready for the county treasurer's office.
Enter Seller Information
Provide the seller's full legal name exactly as it appears on the current vehicle title, along with their North Dakota mailing address and contact number. If the title lists co-owners joined by "and," both must sign. If joined by "or," either owner can complete the sale alone.
Enter Buyer Information
Record the buyer's full legal name as it should appear on the new title, along with their current address and phone number. The buyer's county of residence determines which county treasurer's office will process the title transfer.
Describe the Vehicle
Enter the year, make, model, body style, and color. Copy the full 17-character VIN from the dashboard plate or driver's door jamb and double-check it against the title. Any VIN mismatch will prevent the county treasurer from processing your transfer.
Record the Odometer Reading
Write down the current odometer mileage at the time of sale and indicate whether the reading is accurate, exceeds the mechanical limit, or does not reflect actual mileage. This is a federal requirement under NHTSA regulations. Vehicles 20 years old or older and those over 16,000 lbs GVWR may be exempt.
State the Sale Price
Enter the agreed purchase price in both numerical and written form. The county treasurer will use this amount to calculate the 5% motor vehicle excise tax. For gift transfers, write "$0 — Gift" but be aware that North Dakota may assess excise tax on fair market value if the stated price appears unreasonably low.
Sign and Date
Both parties should sign and date the bill of sale. Print at least two copies — one for the buyer and one for the seller. Remember that the vehicle title also needs to be signed and notarized separately. Take the notarized title and bill of sale to the county treasurer's office to complete the transfer.
North Dakota Title Transfer Process
After signing the bill of sale and getting the title notarized, the buyer needs to visit the county treasurer's office to finalize the ownership transfer. North Dakota handles all title and registration work at the county level.
Complete the Sale
Sign the bill of sale, have the title notarized, exchange payment and keys
Get Insurance
Obtain North Dakota minimum liability insurance before driving or registering the vehicle
Visit Your County Treasurer's Office
Bring the notarized title, bill of sale, photo ID, and proof of insurance
Pay Fees and Excise Tax
Title fee ($5), registration (based on weight/age), and 5% motor vehicle excise tax
Receive Your New Title and Plates
North Dakota issues a new title in the buyer's name and provides license plates or a plate transfer
North Dakota Vehicle Excise Tax & Fees
North Dakota uses a 5% motor vehicle excise tax instead of applying the general state sales tax to vehicle purchases. Local jurisdictions may add additional taxes, bringing the effective rate to 5-8% depending on your location. Here is a breakdown of the costs:
| Fee / Tax | Amount |
|---|---|
| Motor Vehicle Excise Tax | 5% of purchase price |
| Local Taxes | 0-3% additional (varies by jurisdiction) |
| Title Fee | $5 |
| Registration Fee | Based on vehicle weight + age |
| License Plates | Included with registration |
| Duplicate Title | $5 |
| Lien Filing Fee | $5 |
Sample North Dakota Vehicle Bill of Sale
Below is a preview of our North Dakota-specific vehicle bill of sale. Your completed document will include all fields required by North Dakota county treasurer offices.
STATE OF NORTH DAKOTA
VEHICLE BILL OF SALE
Private Party Motor Vehicle Transfer
SELLER:
Name: [Seller Name]
Address: [North Dakota Address]
County: [County]
BUYER:
Name: [Buyer Name]
Address: [North Dakota Address]
County: [County]
VEHICLE INFORMATION
Year: [Year] Make: [Make] Model: [Model]
VIN: [17-digit VIN]
Odometer: [Miles] miles
Sale Price: $[Amount]
North Dakota Vehicle Bill of Sale FAQ
Answers to common questions about North Dakota vehicle bills of sale, title transfers, and DOT requirements.
Official North Dakota Resources
Use these official state and federal resources to verify requirements, locate your county treasurer's office, and access government forms for your North Dakota vehicle transaction.
North Dakota DOT — Driver's License Division
Title transfers, registration, and motor vehicle information
ND Motor Vehicle Services
Forms, fees, and motor vehicle service information
NHTSA — Odometer Fraud Prevention
Federal odometer disclosure requirements and fraud reporting
NICB VINCheck — Free Vehicle History
Check if a vehicle has been reported stolen or salvaged
NHTSA VIN Decoder
Decode any VIN to verify year, make, model, and specifications
IRS — Vehicle Sale Tax Reporting
Federal tax implications of selling a vehicle
Other North Dakota Bill of Sale Templates
Need a different type of bill of sale for North Dakota? We offer state-specific templates for every type of property transfer.
North Dakota Boat Bill of Sale
Boats, jet skis, and watercraft
North Dakota Motorcycle Bill of Sale
Motorcycles, scooters, and mopeds
North Dakota Trailer Bill of Sale
Utility, travel, and cargo trailers
North Dakota Firearm Bill of Sale
Handguns, rifles, and shotguns
North Dakota General Bill of Sale
Furniture, electronics, and personal property
North Dakota ATV Bill of Sale
ATVs, UTVs, and off-road vehicles
North Dakota Horse Bill of Sale
Horses, cattle, and livestock
North Dakota Mobile Home Bill of Sale
Manufactured and mobile homes
Create Your North Dakota Vehicle Bill of Sale
Answer a few questions and download your North Dakota-compliant document in minutes. Accepted by all 53 North Dakota counties.
No account required. Free to create and preview.