A notarized bill of sale is a bill of sale signed in front of a Notary Public, who verifies the identity of the buyer and seller. Most states do not require it for a private sale, but West Virginia asks for one when a car sells below half its book value, and Louisiana, Ohio and Pennsylvania notarize the title instead. NotaryPublic24 notarizes your bill of sale online.
A bill of sale is a written record that ownership of an item has passed from the seller to the buyer. It names both parties, describes the item, states the price and the date of sale, and is signed by the seller and usually the buyer. It is used for cars, boats, trailers, equipment and other personal property. Real estate is transferred with a deed, such as a quitclaim deed, not a bill of sale.
A notarized bill of sale is the same document signed in the presence of a Notary Public. The notary checks the signers’ ID, confirms that they sign willingly, and adds a notarial certificate with a seal. The notarization does not change what the document says; it proves who signed it and when.
That proof matters when a DMV, a court or an insurer later questions the sale. A notarized bill of sale is harder to dispute than a plain signed receipt, which is why some states ask for it in specific situations.
In most states a bill of sale for a private car sale does not need to be notarized. The requirements that do exist attach either to the bill of sale itself or to the seller’s signature on the certificate of title. The table shows the rules we have verified against the state DMV or statute.
| State | What must be notarized | Source |
|---|---|---|
| West Virginia | A notarized bill of sale signed by both parties, with copies of both driver’s licenses, when a vehicle is bought from an individual for less than 50% of its NADA Clean Loan Book value; otherwise tax is assessed on the full book value. Vehicles two years old or newer are taxed on book value regardless. | WV DMV, Titles |
| Louisiana | The seller signs the certificate of title in the presence of a notary or two witnesses in a private sale. A separate bill of sale is not required if the price is entered on the title assignment. Donations need two witnesses and a notary. | Louisiana OMV Policy 2.00 |
| Ohio | The seller’s signature on the assignment of ownership on the back of the title must be notarized; for an electronic title the seller completes form BMV 3770 before a notary or deputy clerk. | Ohio BMV |
| Pennsylvania | The seller’s signature on the Pennsylvania title must be notarized or verified by an authorized PennDOT agent. | PennDOT |
| Nebraska | A bill of sale must be completed at the time of sale. The DMV’s own form includes notary blocks and counties encourage a notarized bill of sale, but any written bill of sale is accepted. | Nebraska DMV form, Sarpy County |
| Maryland | No longer required. The notarized bill of sale for vehicles under seven years old sold below book value was repealed by SB 125 / HB 251, effective October 1, 2026. | Maryland General Assembly |
| New Hampshire | A properly executed bill of sale is required for title-exempt vehicles, with no notarization requirement. | NH DMV |
Rules change, as Maryland’s repeal shows, so check the current DMV page for your state before you sign. If the buyer or seller lives in another state, follow the rules of the state where the vehicle will be titled.
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State DMV forms differ in layout, but they ask for the same core facts. Include all of them so the document is accepted and so the notary can identify what is being signed.
Do not sign the bill of sale before you are in front of the notary; the signature must be made or acknowledged in the notary’s presence. NotaryPublic24’s Sales Agreement Form gives you a ready-made document to complete and notarize in the same flow.
You can have a bill of sale notarized at a bank, a shipping store or a DMV office, but both parties then need to be there with ID. Online notarization removes that step.
With NotaryPublic24 you upload the completed but unsigned bill of sale, verify your identity, and sign in front of the notary during a short video session. The notarized document is delivered digitally within 24 hours, with a notarial certificate and seal that you can print or forward to the buyer, the DMV or an insurer.
If your state requires the seller’s signature on the title to be notarized, as in Louisiana, Ohio and Pennsylvania, ask the DMV whether an online notarization of the title is accepted before you book. For the bill of sale itself, an online notarization gives you the same notarial certificate and seal as an in-person one.
Looking for reliable Notary Public services? NotaryPublic24 provides a fully compliant notary service that adheres to all applicable laws and regulations. With our certified Notary Public professionals, we ensure efficient and secure document authentication. No matter if you are in the need of notarizing birth certificates, power of attorney, affidavits, a signature or any other documents – we will guide and help you throughout the whole process.
Uncertain about your possibilities? Contact us in a way that fits you the best, either by emailing us at “info@notarypublic24.com”, using our “Free Consulting” website form, or by chatting with one of our experts through the live chat application.
Notarization is the official process of having a document legally verified by a notary public. A notary public is an authorized official who verifies the identities of the people signing a document and confirms that the signatures are authentic. This process makes the document legally recognized and trustworthy, helping to prevent fraud and ensuring its validity for important matters like buying a house, signing a contract, or creating a will.
An Apostille is a certificate that makes your document valid in other countries. It's like a stamp of approval that confirms your document is real and can be used in countries that are part of the Apostille Convention. This agreement between countries makes it easier to use important documents like birth certificates and marriage licenses abroad without needing any other certifications. The Apostille verifies the signatures and seals on your document, ensuring it's accepted as genuine.
A Notary Public is an authorized official who has the right to issue certain certificates. An example is the Apostille stamp. A Notary Public is authorized by the state and applies their official seal and signature to certify the documents.
In most states, no. A signed bill of sale is valid without a notary. West Virginia requires a notarized bill of sale when a vehicle is bought from an individual for less than half its NADA book value, and several states, including Louisiana, Ohio and Pennsylvania, require the seller's signature on the title to be notarized instead.
Among the states we have verified, West Virginia is the clear case, and only when the price is below 50% of book value. Louisiana, Ohio and Pennsylvania notarize the certificate of title rather than the bill of sale. Nebraska requires a bill of sale and its DMV form includes notary blocks, but notarization is encouraged rather than mandatory. Maryland repealed its requirement on October 1, 2026.
A bill of sale signed in the presence of a Notary Public, who verifies the signers' identity and attaches a notarial certificate. The content is the same as an ordinary bill of sale; the notarization proves who signed and when, which protects both parties if the sale is later disputed.
Complete the document but do not sign it, bring government-issued photo ID, and sign in front of a Notary Public. You can do this at a bank or notary office, or online with NotaryPublic24, where you upload the document, verify your identity and sign during a video session. The notarized file is returned within 24 hours.
Ohio does not require a notarized bill of sale, but the seller's signature on the assignment of ownership on the back of the Ohio title must be notarized, or witnessed by a deputy clerk at a title office. For an electronic title the seller completes form BMV 3770 before a notary instead.
No. A bill of sale is evidence of the sale and the price; ownership of a titled vehicle passes when the title is assigned and the buyer applies for a new title at the DMV or county office. Louisiana states that a separate bill of sale is not even required if the price is entered on the title assignment.
Yes, as long as it contains the required details: the parties' names and signatures, a description of the item with the VIN or serial number, the price and the date. Notarization adds proof of identity, not validity. Some DMVs prefer their own form, so check before you rely on a handwritten version.
Yes, you can notarize your documents online. With our online service, simply upload your documents, complete the checkout process, and verify your identity digitally. It only takes a few minutes! You'll receive your notarized documents within 24 hours with a sealed notary stamp.
No, you do not have to be physically present to notarize online. However, you need to verify your identity with a government issued ID.
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