North Dakota bill of sale records the details of private transactions. A North Dakota bill of sale is a written document that records the details of a private transaction and, under state law, serves as proof of ownership when a vehicle, boat, firearm, or other item changes hands.[2.4] It also protects both parties by creating a dated record of the sale.
You can choose from different North Dakota bill of sale templates on our website, since North Dakota does not require one specific state-issued form for every private transaction. When you sell or buy a vehicle, both the buyer and the seller must sign the bill of sale, and the seller must endorse the vehicle's certificate of title to the buyer.[2.3]
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| Document Name | North Dakota Vehicle Bill of Sale Form |
| Other Names | North Dakota Car Bill of Sale, North Dakota Automobile Bill of Sale |
| DMV | North Dakota Department of Transportation |
| Vehicle Registration Fee | $5-23 monthly + extra fees |
| Bill of Sale Required? | Yes |
| Avg. Time to Fill Out | 12 minutes |
| # of Fillable Fields | 36 |
North Dakota bill of sale templates are handy for personal property transactions. Selecting the North Dakota bill of sale type appropriate to the item you want to transfer is recommended.
North Dakota bill of sale for a vehicle is a frequently used document required during the vehicle title and registration. A North Dakota vehicle title is a lawful document identifying the vehicle owner and giving complete information about the vehicle’s VIN, model year, etc. After the purchase, the new owner has up to 45 days to register the vehicle at the local motor vehicle division.
| Alternative Name | Car Bill of Sale |
| Seller’s Signature | Required |
| Buyer’s Signature | Required |
| Notarization | Optional |
| Download | PDF Template |
North Dakota boat bill of sale records owner changes due to vessel purchase. You may be asked to submit this form during boat registration. In practice, boats are registered before they are operated on North Dakota waters. It includes all motorboats and watercraft that exceed 12 feet in length. In practice, the new owner registers the vessel online soon after the purchase.
| Alternative Name | Vessel Bill of Sale |
| Seller’s Signature | Required |
| Buyer’s Signature | Required |
| Notarization | Optional |
| Download | PDF Template |
The rules for purchasing a handgun in North Dakota are pretty lenient, as no permit or background check is needed for a purchaser. However, a North Dakota firearm bill of sale is a legal way to record the ownership transfer. There is no need for a license for open carry of an unloaded handgun.
| Alternative Name | Gun Bill of Sale |
| Seller’s Signature | Required |
| Buyer’s Signature | Required |
| Notarization | Optional |
| Download | PDF Template |
You’re free to use a North Dakota general bill of sale to record any transaction between a seller and buyer. North Dakota bill of sale forms are valuable legal instruments for personal property transfers, as they protect both parties and help them keep personal records.
| Alternative Name | Generic Bill of Sale |
| Seller’s Signature | Required |
| Buyer’s Signature | Required |
| Notarization | Optional |
| Download | PDF Template |
Last Updated: September 2026. This guide is reviewed and updated regularly to reflect current North Dakota law. If you notice an error or outdated information, please contact us.
Yes. North Dakota law treats a bill of sale as valid proof of ownership when a vehicle changes hands, and the department accepts a bill of sale or an affidavit of ownership to establish who owns a vehicle.[2.4] Keeping a signed copy protects both the buyer and the seller if a dispute over the sale ever comes up.
This document for a vehicle is also called a car bill of sale or an automobile bill of sale. For other property, it is a general, boat, or firearm bill of sale depending on what you are transferring.
Yes. The acknowledgment section of the bill of sale must be signed in front of a notary public before the document is complete.[1] Bring a government-issued photo ID to the notary appointment, since the notary must confirm the signer's identity before adding the notary stamp.
Whether you are buying or selling a vehicle in North Dakota, a bill of sale protects both sides of the deal by putting the transaction in writing. State law sets out what the document must contain, from the parties' information to the vehicle's identification and the signatures that make it valid.[2.2]
A North Dakota vehicle bill of sale states the buyer's and seller's information, the vehicle's details such as VIN, model year, and purchase price, and confirms the lawful transfer of ownership. Leave out a required field and the document may not be considered valid. The steps below walk you through each part of the form.
Step 1: Buyer Information
North Dakota law requires the buyer's information on the bill of sale, including their legal name and contact details.[1] Fill out each of these fields for the buyer:
Step 2: Vehicle Description
The vehicle itself must be identified by its year, make, model, and vehicle identification number (VIN).[2.2] Where the law requires it, the seller must also give a written odometer statement showing the vehicle's actual mileage.[2.1] List these details about the vehicle:
Step 3: Purchase Price
The document must state the agreed sale price[2.4] and the date of the sale.[1]
Step 4: Seller’s Information
North Dakota law requires the owner's name, residence, and mailing address on the document.[2.5] The seller types in their legal name, phone number, and mailing address (street, city, state, and zip code).
Step 5: Additional Conditions
If a lender still holds a lien on the vehicle, the seller must release it and give the buyer the lienholder's name and address before the sale can go through.[2.1] The seller also warrants that they own the vehicle and can transfer its title, and the buyer accepts the vehicle as-is unless the parties note something else in this section.[2.3]
The owner or transferor of a motor vehicle who transfers title to a vehicle shall endorse an assignment and warranty of title upon the certificate of title for the vehicle.
Step 6: Signature
The document must be signed.[2.2] Both the seller and the buyer sign and print their names, and a witness signs, prints their name, and dates the page in the same section.
Step 7: Notarization
The bill of sale must be notarized.[1] Sign the acknowledgment section in front of a notary public, who confirms your identity, affixes the notary stamp, and fills in the last part of the form.
Registering your car in North Dakota is a simple process as long as you have all the documents required to apply for registration at the appropriate local DMV office. If you plan to register a car purchased from a private seller, you must apply within five days from the date of purchase. That date is the one shown on the bill of sale or title certificate.
When selling a car, the previous owner must remove the licensed plates immediately after the sale, and this car will be considered unregistered.
When applying for registration of a used car, you need to collect the following package of documents before coming to the local DMV. You can review a sample vehicle registration application to see the kind of information the DMV will ask for:
If you bought a new car, you need to have additionally
Although insurance is not required during the registration process, all cars on the roads of North Dakota must have an auto insurance document in the cabin. Each vehicle must carry a minimum of $25,000 per person and the same amount for accident or property damage.
License fees for vehicle registration are calculated based on the year of the first registration and the vehicle's weight, and the buyer also owes a title transfer fee plus an excise tax of 5% of the purchase price. The registration's expiration date is calculated from the date of sale or the date the vehicle first drives on a North Dakota highway.
You can also request temporary vehicle registration if you are bringing the vehicle in from outside North Dakota, for an additional fee.
Form SFN 2903 or Vehicle Statement of Ownership is a handy document if a person has purchased a vehicle before the requirements for registration changed (in prior years for which no Manufacturer’s Statement of Origin, Bill of Sale, or Title was issued).
Form SFN 60467 is designed to apply for a North Dakota assigned vehicle identification number (VIN) for a vehicle or trailer.
Form SFN 60806 or Odometer Correction Application is used to correct a mileage error in the printed title certificate.
Watercraft Registration Form
Other North Dakota Forms
This page is general information about North Dakota bill of sales, not legal advice. For advice on your situation, talk to a North Dakota attorney.
