When should I use the out-of-state sale page?
Use this page when your car sale in Montana fits a out-of-state sale scenario. It walks you through the specific disclosures and details that apply to this type of transaction.
Out-of-state sale — Montana
Montana Car bill of sale for out-of-state sale
Complete your Montana car bill of sale for a out-of-state sale transaction. Enter buyer and seller details, vehicle information, and generate a signed PDF in minutes.
MontanaCarOut-of-state sale
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What to know about out-of-state sale sales in Montana
You must title/register the transfer in the state whose rules govern the sale (typically the state where the transaction occurs). Provide the buyer with your state's standard bill of sale and a clean, signed title. Some states require you to obtain a VIN inspection before releasing a title to an out-of-state buyer.
What to include in your bill of sale
- Full legal names and addresses for both buyer and seller.
- Car make, model, year, VIN, and current mileage.
- Agreed sale price, payment method, and transaction date.
- Any out-of-state sale-specific disclosures required in Montana.
Seller guidance
You must title/register the transfer in the state whose rules govern the sale (typically the state where the transaction occurs). Provide the buyer with your state's standard bill of sale and a clean, signed title. Some states require you to obtain a VIN inspection before releasing a title to an out-of-state buyer.
Buyer guidance
You will need to re-title the vehicle in your home state after purchase. Bring the signed out-of-state title, the bill of sale, and any required inspection certificates to your local DMV. Many states require a state-certified VIN verification and an odometer disclosure statement to process an out-of-state title.
Montana-Specific Note
MT requires the out-of-state title to be surrendered at the county treasurer. MT has no sales tax.
Legal considerations
MT requires the out-of-state title to be surrendered at the county treasurer. MT has no sales tax.
Montana Car transfer fees and requirements
In Montana, the title transfer fee is $12 and registration costs Based on vehicle age; ranges from $28 to $217+. Car sales are subject to No sales tax; registration fee based on age and value. Notarization is required for car bill of sale documents in Montana. Montana does not require emission testing for private-party car sales.
- No state sales tax on vehicle purchases
- Notarized title assignment required
- County option fee may apply
- Popular for LLC vehicle registration due to no sales tax
Montana sales tax on car purchases
Montana has a 0% state sales tax rate. No sales tax; registration fees based on vehicle age and value. Private-party car sales in Montana may be exempt from state sales tax. Montana has no state sales tax on any purchases. The title transfer fee is $12.
Car market data and safety information
The most common car makes in private-party sales are Toyota, Honda, Ford, Chevrolet, Nissan. Average private-party car prices range from $5,000–$25,000. The average NCAP safety rating for recent car models is 4.2 out of 5 stars. Cars average 3.1 NHTSA recalls per model across categories including Airbags (Takata), Power Train, Fuel System.
Safety checkpoints for buying a used car
Before completing a car bill of sale in Montana, verify these safety items:
- Verify airbag recall status (Takata recall affected 67M+ vehicles)
- Check tire age — tires over 6 years old degrade regardless of tread depth
- Confirm brake pad thickness and rotor condition
- Test all seatbelts for proper retraction and latching
- Verify ABS warning light cycles off after ignition self-test
- Confirm child-seat LATCH anchor accessibility and integrity
- Test headlight aim and high-beam function on both low and high settings
- Inspect windshield for cracks in the driver sight line that could fail state inspection
Car insurance and depreciation in Montana
Liability insurance required in 49 states (New Hampshire is the exception). Average annual premium: $1,600–$2,200. Cars lose approximately 20% of value in the first year and 60% over five years. Japanese brands retain value best. Peak season for private car sales is spring (march–may) when tax refunds boost demand, with an average of 21 days on market.
Car registration and titling
Cars are classified as "Passenger vehicle" for registration purposes. Standard passenger cars weigh 2,500–4,500 lbs; no special weight-class registration required. Federal odometer disclosure is required for cars under 20 years old.
Safety tips for out-of-state sale car transactions
When completing a out-of-state sale car sale in Montana, always verify the vehicle against NHTSA recall databases. The most common car recall categories are Airbags (Takata), Power Train, Fuel System. Check recalls at NHTSA.gov/recalls before signing the bill of sale.
Checklist for out-of-state sale car sale in Montana
- Confirm the original title is signed and notarized if required by the seller's state
- Obtain a state VIN verification form if required in the buyer's state
- Complete odometer disclosure on the title or a separate form (49 CFR Part 580)
- Gather emissions or safety inspection certificates if required in the buyer's state
- File for title transfer in the buyer's home state within the permitted timeframe
- Surrender out-of-state title at county treasurer
- No sales tax in Montana
- Transfer title within 40 days
Need the printable workflow?
Use the main Montana car bill of sale flow when you are ready to generate the completed document.
Open Montana Car bill of saleWhy Buyers Want Documentation Across State Lines
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
$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
Frequently asked questions
Why does the out-of-state sale scenario have its own page?
Different sale scenarios — such as private party, dealer, or gifted transfers — have different documentation requirements. This page focuses on what buyers and sellers need for a out-of-state sale transaction specifically.
What should be included in this bill of sale?
Include the buyer and seller details, vehicle identifiers, sale price, date, signatures, and any notes specific to the out-of-state sale transaction.
What are the Montana fees for a out-of-state sale car transfer?
Montana charges a $12 title transfer fee. Registration costs Based on vehicle age; ranges from $28 to $217+. Sales tax: No sales tax; registration fee based on age and value. Notarization is required.
What car makes are most commonly sold in Montana?
The most popular car makes in private-party sales are Toyota, Honda, Ford, Chevrolet, Nissan. Average private-party prices range from $5,000–$25,000.
Do I pay sales tax on a out-of-state sale car sale in Montana?
Montana has a 0% state sales tax rate. Montana has no state sales tax on any purchases
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