Mississippi Vehicle Bill of Sale

Do I need a bill of sale to sell a car in Mississippi?

Yes. Mississippi law makes it unlawful to sell or purchase an automobile without a bill of sale. Under Miss. Code Ann. § 63-17-1, the seller must furnish and the buyer must take and reserve a bill of sale identifying the vehicle by make, model, vehicle identification number, and other identifying marks, along with the names and addresses of both parties and the seller's signature. Although the title transfer is the primary ownership document, the bill of sale is a statutory requirement and is needed when registering the vehicle at the county tax collector's office.

Does a Mississippi bill of sale need to be notarized?

No. A Mississippi motor vehicle bill of sale does not require notarization. The seller and buyer both sign the document, and those signatures are sufficient. Notarization is optional and does not change the legal validity of the bill of sale. If the vehicle has a salvage title and is being restored for road use, however, a notarized bill of sale may be required in addition to the salvage title.

How long do I have to register a vehicle after purchase in Mississippi?

Mississippi requires the buyer to register the vehicle within seven business days of the purchase date. Registration is handled at the county tax collector's office, not a centralized DMV. You will need the assigned title, a bill of sale, proof of Mississippi liability insurance, and payment for the 5% sales tax and applicable fees. The title fee is $9.00 and can be expedited through the Fast Track program for an additional $30.00.

How much is the sales tax on a private vehicle sale in Mississippi?

Mississippi imposes a 5% sales tax on the purchase of automobiles and light trucks weighing 10,000 pounds or less. Vehicles exceeding 10,000 pounds are taxed at 3%. The tax is assessed on the purchase price or the Mississippi Department of Revenue's assessed value, whichever is higher. For private sales, the buyer pays the tax at the county tax collector's office at the time of registration. Trade-in credits from a separate dealer transaction do not apply to private sales.

Is an odometer disclosure required in Mississippi?

Yes. Federal law and Mississippi regulations require the seller to provide an odometer disclosure for qualifying vehicles. Mississippi uses Odometer Disclosure Statement Form 78-015, which must be completed for vehicles that are less than 20 model years old (for transfers occurring 2021–2030, vehicles model year 2011 or newer require disclosure). The reading must appear on the bill of sale or on the separate disclosure form accompanying the title assignment.

Do I need an emissions test to sell a car in Mississippi?

No. Mississippi does not require emissions testing or vehicle safety inspections for private vehicle sales. There is no state inspection program. However, the vehicle must have valid liability insurance in order to be registered, and the buyer should verify the vehicle's condition independently before purchase.

What if I'm gifting a vehicle to a family member in Mississippi?

If you are transferring a vehicle to a spouse, parent, child, grandparent, or grandchild, the transfer is exempt from the 5% sales tax. You must complete an Affidavit of Relationship, which is available at your county tax collector's office. The title must still be properly assigned and a bill of sale should be completed indicating the vehicle is a gift. Standard title and registration fees still apply.

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.