BillOfSaleNow

How to Sell a Car Without a Title

Selling without a title can be complicated. You may need a replacement title or additional DMV documentation before completing a sale.

Steps to Take First

Why a Bill of Sale Helps

Even while waiting for a title, a bill of sale records the transfer date and price.

How to create a bill of sale

  1. Contact your DMV about a replacement title.
  2. Document the sale details and price.
  3. Sign a bill of sale with the buyer.
  4. Keep copies for both parties.

Frequently asked questions

Can I sell a car without the title?

You may need a replacement title first. Some states allow a bill of sale while you resolve title issues.

What should I do first?

Request a replacement title from your DMV and keep transaction documentation.

Does a bill of sale help?

Yes. It records the transfer details while you resolve title paperwork.

Document the Sale Properly

Create a bill of sale now so you can keep records while working on title paperwork.

Create Bill of Sale

Related resources

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