Selling or buying a vehicle in North Dakota? A notarized bill of sale is required for certain transactions — and a Damage/Salvage Disclosure Statement is required for vehicles less than 9 model years old.
This free template is formatted for North Dakota’s requirements and works alongside the Certificate of Title at any NDDOT motor vehicle office.
Click Get This Template below to open it in Google Docs, then click Use Template to save a copy to your Drive.
For templates for all 50 states, visit the Motor Vehicle Bill of Sale Templates →
On this page:
- What Is a North Dakota Motor Vehicle Bill of Sale?
- Is a Bill of Sale Required in North Dakota?
- North Dakota-Specific Requirements
- Free North Dakota Motor Vehicle Bill of Sale Template
- How to Fill Out the Template
- How to Transfer a Car Title in North Dakota
- Frequently Asked Questions
What Is a North Dakota Motor Vehicle Bill of Sale?
A North Dakota motor vehicle bill of sale is a written record of a private vehicle sale.
North Dakota’s official form is Form SFN 2888 (Seller’s Certificate and Vehicle Bill of Sale). It is strongly recommended for all private party sales and is required as proof of ownership when no certificate of title is available.
Is a Bill of Sale Required in North Dakota?
Form SFN 2888 is required as proof of ownership when no certificate of title is available — for example, for untitled vehicles or vehicles coming from a non-title state. A notarized bill of sale is required for untitled vehicles going through the formal titling process.
For standard transfers where the seller holds a valid certificate of title, the bill of sale is not strictly required but is strongly recommended for all private sales as documentation of the transaction.
North Dakota-Specific Requirements
1. Both Buyer and Seller Sign the Title
The title must be signed by both the seller and the buyer. The seller completes the assignment of ownership section on the back of the title, and the buyer also signs. Both signatures are required for the NDDOT to process the title transfer.
2. Motor Vehicle Excise Tax: 5%
North Dakota charges a 5% motor vehicle excise tax on the vehicle’s fair market value at the time of first application for a certificate of title. Tax is paid at the NDDOT office. Gifted or donated vehicles are exempt from excise tax. If excise tax was paid in another state, you may be exempt from paying it again in North Dakota.
3. Damage/Salvage Disclosure Statement Required
A Damage/Salvage Disclosure Statement (Form SFN 18609) is required for all vehicles less than 9 model years old. Both buyer and seller must complete and sign it. It discloses whether the vehicle has sustained prior structural damage or been declared a salvage vehicle.
4. Odometer Disclosure
Odometer disclosure is required for vehicles less than 10 model years old. The disclosure is typically completed on the title itself or on a separate Reassignment/Odometer Disclosure form (SFN 18773), available at any NDDOT motor vehicle branch.
5. Title Fee: $5
The North Dakota title transfer fee is $5. The combined fee for a new title and registration is $12. An abandoned vehicle disposal fee of $1.50 applies for new titles and vehicles previously titled in another state.
6. License Plates
Remove your license plates before handing over the vehicle. North Dakota plates are registered to the owner, not the vehicle — contact the NDDOT for plate transfer or surrender procedures.
7. Notarization
A notarized bill of sale is required when titling a vehicle for which no certificate of title exists. For standard private party transfers with a valid title, notarization is optional but recommended for high-value sales.
Free North Dakota Motor Vehicle Bill of Sale Template
This template opens in Google Docs. Click Use Template to save a copy to your Drive, fill it out digitally, or print and complete by hand.
How to Fill Out the Template
Enter the seller’s name exactly as it appears on the Certificate of Title. Enter the buyer’s name exactly as they want it on the new title.
In Section 3, copy the VIN character by character. Enter the full agreed purchase price in Section 4 — North Dakota calculates 5% excise tax on fair market value.
Both parties sign Section 11. Also complete Form SFN 18609 (Damage/Salvage Disclosure) if the vehicle is less than 9 model years old, and complete odometer disclosure if less than 10 model years old.
For a complete field-by-field walkthrough of every section, see: How to Fill Out a Motor Vehicle Bill of Sale →
How to Transfer a Car Title in North Dakota
For the Seller
Complete the assignment of ownership section on the back of the title. Remove your license plates before handing over the vehicle. Provide the buyer with this bill of sale and any required disclosure forms.
For the Buyer
Visit an NDDOT motor vehicle branch office with the signed title (buyer and seller signatures), this bill of sale, Form SFN 2872 (Application for Certificate of Title), Damage/Salvage Disclosure (if required), odometer disclosure, valid ND ID, proof of insurance, and payment for the $5 title fee and 5% excise tax. Schedule an appointment at 1-855-633-6835 or online at dot.nd.gov.
Lost Title
Apply for a duplicate title at any NDDOT motor vehicle branch before proceeding. Contact NDDOT at dot.nd.gov/motor-vehicle.
Frequently Asked Questions
5% of the vehicle’s fair market value at the time of first application for a certificate of title. Tax is paid at the NDDOT motor vehicle office. Gifted or donated vehicles are exempt. If excise tax was already paid in another state, you may be exempt from paying it again in North Dakota.
Yes, for vehicles less than 9 model years old. Both buyer and seller must complete and sign Form SFN 18609 (Damage/Salvage Disclosure Statement), which discloses whether the vehicle has sustained prior structural damage or been declared a salvage vehicle.
Yes. The title must be signed by both the seller and the buyer. The seller completes the assignment of ownership section, and the buyer also signs. Both signatures are required for the NDDOT to process the title transfer.
A notarized bill of sale is required when titling a vehicle for which no certificate of title exists. For standard private party transfers with a valid title, notarization is optional but recommended for high-value sales.
The North Dakota title transfer fee is $5. The combined fee for a new title and registration is $12. An abandoned vehicle disposal fee of $1.50 also applies for new titles and vehicles previously titled in another state.
Yes. North Dakota’s official form is SFN 2888, but any bill of sale that includes the required vehicle information, purchase price, buyer and seller names, and signatures is acceptable. A notarized bill of sale is required when no certificate of title exists.
This template and all information on this page are provided for informational purposes only and do not constitute legal advice. Contact the North Dakota Department of Transportation at dot.nd.gov/motor-vehicle or 701-328-2725 to confirm current requirements before completing your transaction.