North Dakota Bill of Sale

What North Dakota requires for a vehicle sale

• The seller must sign and date Part 1 (Assignment and Warranty of Title) of the title, with the buyer's name, purchase price and purchase date.
• NDDOT's FAQ says the seller records the odometer reading for vehicles under ten years old and completes SFN 18609 (Damage Disclosure Statement) for vehicles under nine years old.
• The seller must deliver the endorsed title to the buyer within 15 days, and the seller must remove the license plates.
• The buyer may drive up to five days from acquisition without visible registration, with dated evidence of ownership: a dated bill of sale or a dated copy of the title.
• A self-issuing temporary permit is available for 30 days per the FAQ, while the registration manual says 75 days. The two NDDOT sources differ, so confirm with NDDOT.
• The title application is SFN 2872. The FAQ lists a $5 title transfer fee, and the registration manual says 5% motor vehicle excise tax is remitted when applying for title.

North Dakota bill of sale: what to include

Whatever North Dakota 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 Dakota.

Seller checklist (North Dakota)

• Sign and date Part 1 of the title with the buyer's name, price and sale date.
• Record the odometer reading if the vehicle is under ten years old.
• Complete SFN 18609 if the vehicle is under nine years old.
• Deliver the endorsed title to the buyer within 15 days.
• Remove your license plates.

Buyer checklist (North Dakota)

• Get the endorsed title and keep a dated bill of sale or dated title copy as proof of ownership.
• Drive no more than five days without registration, or use a temporary permit.
• Submit SFN 2872 with ID and the title to apply for a North Dakota title.
• Be ready to pay the title fee, a full-year license fee less any credit, and excise tax.

Things to watch in North Dakota

• The pages we read do not say whether a private-sale bill of sale is required or notarized. Check with NDDOT.
• The pages do not give a general deadline to title after a private purchase, and they disagree on temporary permit length (30 vs 75 days).
• NDDOT's SFN 2888 bill of sale is mentioned for antique vehicles without a title, not general sales.

About this page

We checked this page against the NDDOT Motor Vehicle 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 NDDOT Motor Vehicle before you sign. This is general information, not legal advice.