Montana Vehicle Bill of Sale

Is a bill of sale required to sell a car in Montana?

Yes. The Montana Motor Vehicle Division (MVD) lists the Bill of Sale (Form MV24) as a required title-transfer document alongside the Application for Certificate of Title (Form MV1). The MV24 must show the same buyer name as the MV1 application. The buyer has 40 days from the date of sale to transfer the title through the county treasurer's office.

The MVD publishes the official Form MV24 and also accepts any bill of sale that contains the same information: the names and addresses of the buyer and seller, the date of sale, the purchase price, and a full description of the vehicle including VIN, year, make, model, and color.

Does a Montana bill of sale need to be notarized?

No. Montana no longer requires notarization for standard private-party vehicle transfers. House Bill 165 (2025) amended MCA §61-3-220 effective October 1, 2025 to remove the prior requirement that title-transfer signatures be acknowledged before a county treasurer, authorized official, or notary public. This is a recent change — many competitor websites and older templates still state that Montana requires notarization, but that information is outdated as of October 2025.

Notarization is still required in two narrow situations: when the bill of sale is used in conjunction with an Application for Break or Bond Title (Form MV10), or when an electronic records transfer occurs. For a standard private-party sale, the signed bill of sale and signed title assignment are sufficient without a notary.

Is there sales tax on a private vehicle sale in Montana?

No. Montana has no general sales or use tax, making it one of only five states with no statewide sales tax. A private vehicle sale between individuals in Montana generates no state sales tax on the purchase price. This is one of Montana's most distinctive features for vehicle buyers and is a significant cost difference compared to neighboring states like Idaho (6%) and Wyoming (5%).

Two narrow charges do apply. Counties may levy a local-option vehicle tax of up to 0.7% of the vehicle's depreciated value, collected at registration rather than at the time of sale. Separately, light vehicles with an original MSRP exceeding $150,000 that are 10 model years old or less pay an additional $825 annual registration fee under MCA §61-3-321 — a provision sometimes called the "luxury vehicle surcharge."

What information does a Montana vehicle bill of sale need to include?

The MVD's Form MV24 requires the full legal names and addresses of both the buyer and seller, the date of sale, the purchase price, and the vehicle's year, make, model, body style, color, and Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). The form also captures the odometer reading and directs sellers of model year 2011 or newer vehicles to complete a separate Odometer Disclosure Statement (Form MV90A), consistent with the federal 20-model-year disclosure requirement under 49 CFR Part 580.

What should the seller do after the sale?

The seller should remove their license plates from the vehicle before delivery. Montana plates belong to the owner, not the vehicle. The seller should retain a copy of the signed bill of sale and the signed title as proof that the transfer occurred. The buyer is responsible for submitting the title transfer paperwork to the county treasurer's office within 40 days of the sale.