Connecticut Vehicle Bill of Sale

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

Yes. Connecticut requires a bill of sale for registering a vehicle purchased from a private party. The DMV provides an official Bill of Sale form (Form H-31), but sellers may also draft their own document as long as it includes all required information: the names and addresses of the buyer and seller, the vehicle's make, model, year, color, and VIN, the odometer reading, the sale price, the date of sale, and the seller's signature. The buyer should also sign the bill of sale, though the state's own H-31 form does not include a buyer signature line.

Does a Connecticut bill of sale need to be notarized?

No. Connecticut does not require notarization of a vehicle bill of sale or the title assignment for standard private-party transfers. The signatures of both parties are sufficient. The DMV may request a notarized bill of sale in specific circumstances, but this is not the standard requirement for routine transfers.

What taxes and fees does the buyer owe?

Connecticut charges a 6.35% Sales and Use Tax on the purchase price or the NADA average trade-in value, whichever is higher. For vehicles with a purchase price exceeding $50,000, the tax rate increases to 7.75% — a luxury vehicle surcharge that makes Connecticut one of the most expensive states to buy a high-value vehicle. The tax is collected at the DMV at the time of registration. Gift transfers between immediate family members are exempt from sales tax with a completed Motor Vehicle Gift Declaration (Form AU-463).

Motor vehicles registered in Connecticut are also subject to local property tax. Vehicles registered on October 1 are included in the annual Grand List, and the tax is assessed by the municipality where the vehicle is garaged. The property tax is separate from the sales tax and is billed annually by the town.

Are emissions tests required?

Yes — statewide. Connecticut requires emissions testing for all vehicles that are 4 or more model years old from the current year. Tests are conducted every two years at state-operated emissions testing stations. Vehicles that are exempt from emissions testing require a VIN verification instead. The emissions test must be completed before the vehicle can be registered. The test fee is $20 for most vehicles.

What should the seller do after the sale?

The seller must remove their license plates and cancel their registration with the DMV. Connecticut law requires the seller to maintain liability insurance until the registration is cancelled — do not cancel insurance before cancelling the registration. The seller should keep copies of the cancelled registration receipt and the signed bill of sale. Until the registration is cancelled, the vehicle remains subject to local property tax assessment in the seller's name.

What if the vehicle has multiple owners?

If the vehicle is titled to more than one person, all owners on the title must sign the bill of sale. Use the "Add a co-seller" option on the form to add the second seller's name and address. Both sellers' names and signature lines will appear on the document. For electronic signing, each co-owner can sign on the same device in sequence, or the document can be passed from one device to another via QR code or shared link. Both buyers can likewise be named on the bill of sale using the "Add a co-buyer" option.