Minnesota Vehicle Bill of Sale

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.

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.