Bill of sale only — What You Need to Know
No title is being transferred at the time of sale. This occurs for very old vehicles never previously titled, junk/scrap vehicles, or in states that allow bill of sale as proof of ownership for certain vehicle classes.
Seller guidance
If you are selling a vehicle that was never titled (common for pre-1975 vehicles in some states), a bill of sale is the primary ownership document. The buyer must present the bill of sale to the DMV to apply for an original title. Ensure the bill of sale contains full VIN, make, model, year, and both party signatures with dates.
Buyer guidance
A bill of sale alone does not guarantee you can register the vehicle. Check with your state DMV to confirm the process for obtaining an original title using a bill of sale. You may need a VIN inspection, a surety bond, or a court order depending on the vehicle's history and your state's rules.
Legal note
Vehicles manufactured before 1975 were not required to be federally titled, and some never entered a state title system. States have varying procedures for issuing an original title for un-titled vehicles (e.g., California: Reg 343 form; Texas: Form VTR-141). The NMVTIS may not have records for older un-titled vehicles, so ownership chain documentation is critical.
Bill of sale only checklist
- Document the full ownership chain (prior bills of sale if available)
- Include complete vehicle description: VIN, year, make, model, color, engine number
- Both parties sign and date the bill of sale in front of a notary if possible
- Research your state's original title application process for un-titled vehicles
- Request a VIN inspection from law enforcement or a licensed inspector
Electric Vehicle Safety & Recall Information
Data sourced from NHTSA safety ratings and recall databases
Average Safety Rating
4.6 / 5
Avg. Price Range
$12,000–$60,000
Odometer Disclosure
Required
Safety checkpoints for electric vehicle buyers
- Check battery State of Health (SOH) — capacity degradation below 70% significantly reduces value
- Verify full charge range matches manufacturer specifications for the model year
- Test DC fast charging capability — some older EVs have degraded charge acceptance
- Check for any battery recall or warranty coverage status
- Confirm orange high-voltage cabling is intact and shielding is undamaged
- Verify regenerative braking smoothness and one-pedal-driving function
- Test pedestrian-warning sound (federally required at low speed)
- Inspect for prior collision-repair history that touched the battery pack tray
Common recall categories
Battery/High VoltageSoftware/OTA UpdatesCharging SystemBrakesElectrical
On average, each electric vehicle model has approximately 2.8 recalls. Always check your specific vehicle at NHTSA.gov/recalls before completing a sale.
Local Requirements — Strafford County
DMV / Title Office
Rochester City Clerk – Motor Vehicle
Address
31 Wakefield St, Rochester, NH 03867
Office Hours
Mon–Fri 8:00 AM–4:30 PM
https://www.nh.gov/safety/divisions/dmv
Transfer Fees & Taxes — Rochester
Base Registration Fee
$31.20
No sales tax in New Hampshire
Notarization: NOT REQUIRED
New Hampshire does not require notarization.
Rochester Transfer Checklist
- No sales tax
- Title transfer at city clerk within 10 days
- Bill of sale required
- State inspection required
County Information — Strafford County
County Clerk / Recorder
Rochester City Clerk
Private party vehicle sales in Strafford County may be exempt from sales tax — verify with the county clerk before completing your transaction.
Rochester Bill of sale only electric vehicle pdf — when to file
New Hampshire requires title transfer within 20 days of the sale date on the bill of sale. For bill of sale only transactions specifically, file at Rochester City Clerk – Motor Vehicle (31 Wakefield St, Rochester, NH 03867) during normal hours: Mon–Fri 8:00 AM–4:30 PM. Miss the 20-day window and New Hampshire typically charges a late-transfer penalty plus accrued use tax, and the seller can remain on the title for civil liability until the buyer completes retitling. Bring the signed title, the completed Rochester bill of sale, your government-issued ID, and payment for the $25.00 title transfer fee plus 0.00% sales tax on the purchase price.
PDF reminder. Whether you keep your pdf as a signed digital PDF, both buyer and seller should leave the signing with an identical executed copy. The buyer needs the original to present at Rochester City Clerk – Motor Vehicle; the seller keeps a duplicate to prove the date of transfer if a future liability question arises before the title fully retitles.