Just Sold My Car in Kansas — What’s Next? (2026)
Need Kansas bill of sale documentation?
If you haven’t generated a Kansas-compliant bill of sale yet, do it now — your proof-of-sale window closes the moment the buyer leaves.
Start My Kansas Car Bill of Sale →Kansas car sale facts
| Titling agency | Kansas DMV ↗ |
| Title transfer deadline | 60 days from sale |
| Release of liability | File with Kansas DMV within 5 days |
| Buyer’s sales / use tax | 6.5% (Sales tax applies to private party vehicle purchases) |
| Bill of sale notary | Not required |
| Title fee (buyer pays) | $10 |
| Car identifier | VIN |
Your Kansas car post-sale checklist
- 1
Keep your signed Kansas bill of sale
This is your proof that you sold the car on the sale date. If the buyer gets a ticket, is in an accident, or fails to transfer the title within 60 days from the sale date, the Kansas bill of sale shields you from liability. Keep both your copy and a scan for at least 5 years.
- 2
File a release of liability with Kansas DMV
Most Kansas sellers file this online through Kansas DMV within 5 days of the sale. Filing removes you from records as the registered owner so any post-sale tickets, tolls, or accidents become the buyer's responsibility, not yours. Kansas requires the buyer to title the car within 60 days — your release filing protects you if the buyer misses that deadline.
- 3
Cancel or transfer your auto insurance
Contact your insurer the same day you hand over the keys. Kansas does not require you to maintain insurance on a vehicle you no longer own, but you must not cancel before the sale is complete. If you are replacing the car with another, transfer the policy instead — many insurers offer a short grace period to bind coverage on the new vehicle.
- 4
Remove your license plates
In Kansas, plates go with the seller — not with the car. Remove the plate(s) before the buyer drives or rides away. You can return them to Kansas DMV or transfer them to your next vehicle.
- 5
Verify the 60-day title transfer window
Kansas requires the buyer to retitle the car at Kansas DMV within 60 days of the sale date. If you have not received confirmation that the title has been transferred by day 65, contact Kansas DMV with your bill of sale and release-of-liability filing number to confirm the change of ownership.
- 6
Confirm your Kansas tax obligations (seller's side)
Kansas charges 6.5% sales/use tax on private-party car sales — the buyer pays this at Kansas DMV when titling. Sales tax applies to private party vehicle purchases. Sellers generally do not owe Kansas sales tax, but if the car sold for more than your original purchase price you may owe federal capital gains tax. Consult a tax advisor.
- 7
Watch for liens or loan payoff confirmation
If you had a loan on the car, confirm the lender received the buyer's payoff and has released the lien on the Kansas title before you deliver the title. Kansas uses TR-720 as the lien release form — your lender will file this with Kansas DMV to clear the title record.
Kansas lien release procedure
- Obtain Form TR-720 from the Kansas Division of Vehicles or the lienholder.
- Lienholder completes and signs TR-720 releasing the lien.
- Submit TR-720 with the existing title and title application at a county treasurer's office.
- Pay the title fee and receive a clean Kansas title.
Frequently Asked Questions — Kansas
How long do I have to file a release of liability in Kansas?▾
Kansas sellers should file a release of liability with Kansas DMV within 5 days of the sale. Most Kansas sellers can file this online directly through Kansas DMV. Filing removes you from records as the registered owner so any post-sale tickets, tolls, or accidents fall on the buyer.
What is the Kansas title transfer deadline for a car?▾
Kansas requires the buyer to title the car within 60 days of the sale date. Missing the deadline can trigger late fees and back-dated registration penalties.
Do I owe Kansas sales tax on the car I just sold?▾
Kansas charges 6.5% sales/use tax on private-party car sales. Sales tax applies to private party vehicle purchases. The buyer typically pays this at Kansas DMV when titling — sellers generally owe no Kansas sales tax on the proceeds. You may owe federal capital gains if you sold for more than the original purchase price.
Does Kansas require a notary on the car bill of sale?▾
No. Kansas does not require notarization for a private car bill of sale. A signed bill of sale with both parties' full names, addresses, signatures, and the date is sufficient for Kansas DMV.
How does the buyer register the car in Kansas?▾
The buyer brings the signed bill of sale and endorsed title to Kansas DMV, pays the title fee (~$10) plus 6.5% sales/use tax, and receives a new Kansas title in their name. Transfer must be completed within 60 days of the sale date.
What if the buyer hasn't transferred the title yet?▾
In most states this is the buyer's responsibility, not yours. Filing a release of liability with your state DMV is the seller-side protection — it removes you from records as the registered owner so any post-sale tickets, accidents, or tolls fall on the buyer regardless of when the title is actually transferred.
Do I need to keep the bill of sale after the sale is complete?▾
Yes — keep your signed bill of sale for at least 5 years. If a parking ticket, toll, or accident occurs after the sale but before the buyer transfers the title, the bill of sale is your proof that the car was sold on the sale date. Store a scan and the original.
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Source: Kansas DMV ↗ · Last verified 2026-05-07