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Does West Virginia Require Notarization for a Bill of Sale?

YES — West Virginia requires notarization for a vehicle bill of sale.

Both the buyer and seller must sign the bill of sale in the presence of a licensed notary public in West Virginia. The notary will verify identities, witness signatures, and affix their official seal. A document that is not notarized will be rejected by the West Virginia DMV for title transfer purposes.

How to Get a Notarized Bill of Sale in West Virginia

  1. 1Prepare the bill of sale with all required information before visiting the notary — do not sign in advance.
  2. 2Both buyer and seller must appear before the notary with valid government-issued photo ID.
  3. 3The notary verifies identities, witnesses both signatures, and affixes their official seal.
  4. 4Each party receives a notarized copy. The buyer presents it to the West Virginia DMV.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I get a notary in West Virginia?▾

Notaries in West Virginia are available at most bank branches, UPS Store and shipping stores, some public libraries, and DMV offices. Online Remote Online Notarization (RON) is available in most states for an additional fee.

What does a notary charge in West Virginia?▾

In-person notaries in West Virginia typically charge $5–$15 per signature. Online RON platforms generally charge $15–$25 per session. Some banks provide free notary services for account holders.

If West Virginia doesn't require a notary, should I still get one?▾

West Virginia requires a notary — this is not optional for a valid title transfer.

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Trusted by private vehicle sellers nationwide

45% faster sale

Vehicles whose listings include a history report spend ~45% less time on site before selling, and report-viewers are 5x more likely to become a lead.

Source: Experian / AutoCheck

$4,000 avg loss

NHTSA estimates 450,000+ vehicles per year are sold with rolled-back odometers — the average victim loses about $4,000 in downstream repair costs.

Source: NHTSA

17.5M private sales/yr

About 17.5 million private-party vehicle transactions happen in the U.S. each year — roughly 47% of the used market.

Source: Cox Automotive 2024

1 in 3 buyers

Roughly 1 in 3 used-car buyers say they suspect private sellers are hiding mechanical problems — documentation closes that trust gap.

Source: JW Surety Bonds (n=3,000)

$60–$85 mobile notary

Mobile notary visit minimums run $60–$85 — higher on weekends, plus per-mile travel fees. State-formatted documents skip the trip.

Source: Thumbtack / NNA