Vehicle Bill of Sale Notarization Requirements by State (2026)

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Frequently asked questions

Which states require a notarized bill of sale for a vehicle sale?

As of 2026, Louisiana is the only state that requires the bill of sale itself to be notarized for a private vehicle sale. Louisiana Civil Code art. 1833 mandates that the act of sale be signed before a notary public and two witnesses. Every other state either requires no notarization at all, or limits notarization requirements to the title transfer document (not the bill of sale itself).

Does any state require notarization of the vehicle title transfer?

Yes. Washington state requires the Vehicle Title Application (TD-420-001) to be signed in front of a DOL licensing agent or a notary public — do not pre-sign the form. Louisiana requires notarized act of sale for title transfer as well. All other states accept unnotarized title assignments between private parties, though some states (Montana, New York) have limited circumstances where notarization may apply.

Is a notarized bill of sale stronger legally?

Optional notarization adds a layer of fraud protection even when not required: a notary verifies the identity of the signers, creating a tamper-evident record with a date certain. This is most useful for high-value vehicles (over $5,000), vehicles sold to strangers, or transactions where payment is deferred. In states where notarization is optional, both parties keep a signed copy regardless.

What is the difference between bill of sale notarization and title notarization?

A bill of sale is a receipt documenting the private sale — price, VIN, odometer, parties. The vehicle title is the legal ownership document issued by the state. Some states require the title assignment section to be notarized (e.g., Washington) but not the separate bill of sale. Louisiana is the only state that requires notarization of the bill of sale itself.

How much does vehicle bill of sale notarization cost?

Notary fees are set by state law and typically range from $2 to $25 per signature. Banks and credit unions frequently notarize for free for account holders. UPS Store locations charge $5 to $15 per notarized signature. Mobile notaries charge $25 to $75 per visit. Louisiana, the only state requiring BoS notarization, has no statutory cap, so costs vary by notary.

Do I need to notarize a bill of sale for a gift vehicle transfer?

In Louisiana, yes — all vehicle transfers, including gifts, require a notarized act of sale. In Texas, Form 14-317 (Affidavit of Motor Vehicle Gift Transfer) must be notarized. In other states, the bill of sale for a gift does not require notarization, but the title assignment and any gift affidavit required by the state DMV must be completed correctly.