North Carolina Bill of Sale

What North Carolina requires for a vehicle sale

• Both the original owner and the recipient must complete the back of the original title; the seller signs and hand-prints their name.
• A damage disclosure statement is part of the required title information, and the odometer reading is listed as 'if required'.
• If the original title is a North Carolina title, it must be notarized. For out-of-state titles, NCDMV follows that state's requirements.
• Highway-use tax must be paid. Property taxes may be paid at registration or deferred for 60 days.
• Buyer applies at a license plate agency or by mail with a valid NC driver license or ID. Processing is listed as 10-15 business days, with instant titles at select locations.
• Form MVR-46F (Affidavit for Removal of Registered Vehicle) cancels the seller's registration record. It must be notarized and mailed or taken to a license plate agency.

North Carolina bill of sale: what to include

Whatever North Carolina requires, a signed bill of sale protects both sides. It proves the price, the date and that the car was sold as-is. Include:

• Seller's and buyer's full names and addresses
• Year, make, model, color and VIN
• Odometer reading on the day of sale
• Sale price and date of sale
• As-is wording, plus a statement that the seller owns the vehicle and any lien is paid off
• Signatures and dates for both parties

Sample as-is wording

I, the seller, sell the vehicle described above to the buyer for the price shown, as-is, with no warranty, express or implied. The seller confirms they are the owner and that the odometer reading is correct to the best of their knowledge. This sale is made under the laws of North Carolina.

Seller checklist (North Carolina)

• Complete, sign, and hand-print your name on the back of the original title.
• Complete the damage disclosure and odometer reading if required.
• Have your signature notarized if the title is a North Carolina title.
• If the vehicle still shows on your registration, file notarized Form MVR-46F to cancel it.

Buyer checklist (North Carolina)

• Get the completed and notarized title from the seller.
• Bring a valid NC driver license or ID to a license plate agency, or mail a copy with your application.
• Pay title fees and the highway-use tax.
• Show NC liability insurance if you are also registering the vehicle.

Things to watch in North Carolina

• The page we read does not say whether a bill of sale is required, and lists no bill of sale form. Check with NCDMV at (919) 715-7000.
• The page we read states no deadlines for the seller or buyer, and does not address plate handling. Check with NCDMV.
• MVR-46F states no filing deadline on the form.

About this page

We checked this page against the NCDMV sources listed below in November 2026. Where an agency page did not say something, we say so and suggest you check with the agency. Rules, forms and fees change, so confirm with NCDMV before you sign. This is general information, not legal advice.