Minnesota Vehicle Bill of Sale
Generate your Minnesota vehicle bill of sale
Fill in the vehicle details, sale price, and buyer and seller information below. The form satisfies Minnesota Driver and Vehicle Services requirements for documenting a private-party vehicle sale, including federal odometer and damage disclosures. Minnesota charges a 6.875% Motor Vehicle Sales Tax on the purchase price.
*Electronic signatures are legally binding under the Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act (15 U.S.C. §7001).
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Common questions about selling a vehicle in Minnesota
Is a bill of sale required to sell a car in Minnesota?
Minnesota does not require a separate bill of sale when the certificate of title is properly assigned. The signed title is the primary ownership transfer document. However, a bill of sale is useful for documenting the purchase price — which the DVS uses to calculate the Motor Vehicle Sales Tax — and is recommended by Driver and Vehicle Services (DVS) for every private-party transaction. If the vehicle does not have a title (for example, older vehicles exempt from titling), a bill of sale signed by all owners is required as the primary proof of ownership.
Does a Minnesota bill of sale need to be notarized?
No. Minnesota does not require notarization of a vehicle bill of sale or the title assignment for standard private-party transfers. The signatures of the buyer and seller on the title are sufficient. Notarization is required only for lien releases from non-institutional lienholders — the bill of sale itself does not need a notary.
What is the damage disclosure requirement?
Minnesota requires a damage disclosure for all vehicles — not just those with salvage or rebuilt titles. This is broader than most states, which only require damage disclosure for branded titles. The damage disclosure must be completed on the title paperwork at the time of transfer, and the seller must truthfully report whether the vehicle has sustained damage exceeding a threshold amount. Failing to disclose known damage can expose the seller to liability under Minnesota law.
What taxes and fees does the buyer owe?
Minnesota charges a 6.875% Motor Vehicle Sales Tax (MVST) on the purchase price of a vehicle. The MVST is collected at the deputy registrar's office at the time of title transfer. The title fee is $8.25. The buyer must submit the title transfer documents within 30 days — DVS will suspend the vehicle's registration if the ownership documents and fees are not submitted within that window. Gift transfers between immediate family members may qualify for a reduced tax rate or exemption with proper documentation.
What should the seller do after the sale?
The seller must report the sale to Driver and Vehicle Services (DVS) using the online vehicle title report service. This is legally required and creates a record that the vehicle has changed hands. DVS will suspend the vehicle's registration if the ownership documents are not submitted by the buyer within 30 days, so reporting the sale promptly protects the seller from continued liability. The seller must also remove their license plates from the vehicle — Minnesota plates belong to the owner, not the vehicle.
Governing law
Vehicle title transfers in Minnesota are governed by Minnesota Statutes Chapter 168A (Motor Vehicle Certificates of Title), particularly §168A.05 (application for certificate of title). The 6.875% Motor Vehicle Sales Tax is administered by the Minnesota Department of Revenue. The damage disclosure requirement applies to all vehicles transferred in Minnesota. Title transfers are processed through deputy registrar offices. Federal odometer disclosure requirements are established by 49 U.S.C. Chapter 327 and 49 CFR Part 580.