Paperwork When Selling a Car in South Dakota

Paperwork Required to Sell a Car in South Dakota

Selling a car in South Dakota requires a number of steps and forms you need to fill out. It's important that you have all the correct documents in order to successfully transfer ownership to the new owner.

This page outlines all the paperwork you need to complete the sale of your car in South Dakota

How to Sell Your Car in South Dakota

If you are a South Dakota resident, you must complete the following steps to sell your car:

  • Acquire a free seller's permit from your SD county treasurer's office. You will need a valid South Dakota ID card or driver's license to get a permit.
  • Pay off all liens against the vehicle, making sure to satisfy all official requirements, such as properly notifying your local county treasurer of the release.
  • If necessary, fill out the damage disclosure and odometer fields listed on the back of the vehicle's certificate of title. Attach the completed title certificate to your application.
  • Also on the back of the title, you will need to complete the seller information fields and the buyer will need to fill out the buyer information fields.
  • Complete a Bill of Sale (Form MV-016), including the following:
    • Full description of the car (make, model, year, and serial number).
    • Title number.
    • Selling price.
    • Date of sale.
    • Buyer information.
    • Signatures of both you and the buyer.
    Once all of this information is listed, you may give the Bill of Sale to the buyer.
  • Complete an online Seller's Report of Sale online within 15 days of the date of sale.

Precautionary optional step: Go to a South Dakota county treasurer's office with the buyer when the application for a new title is made to make sure it is transferred properly and you are free from legal responsibility.

For additional tips on navigating this red tape-filled process, use our Guide to Selling Your Car.

NOTE: There are no emissions testing or inspections required for you to sell your used car in South Dakota.

Signing Over a South Dakota Title

To complete a South Dakota title transfer, simply fill out the information requested on the back of the car title and give it to the buyer. This will require information and signatures from both you AND the buyer, so both parties will need to be present during this process. The buyer will then need to make the application to transfer the title into their name.

For more information, see our Title Transfers in South Dakota page.

Lost SD Title or Registration

Vehicles with missing titles or registration forms cannot be sold in South Dakota, meaning you will need to apply for a duplicate title. You will need to complete a Application for Motor Vehicle Title & Registration (Form MV-608) and submit it in person or by mail to the SD Motor Vehicles Division (MVD).

You will also need to pay the $10 fee.

Notice of Transfer and Release of Liability

When selling a car to a private buyer in South Dakota, you must fill out a Seller's Report of Sale online. Doing so releases you from liability in the event that legal complications arise regarding the transaction.

South Dakota Vehicle History Report

When selling a car in South Dakota, remember that potential buyers will likely request a vehicle history report before they make their final decision. For this reason, it's important that you are honest about any accidents, repairs, and thefts that your vehicle may have had.

Once a buyer has ordered a vehicle history report, they will be able to see information about the car, including:

  • Previous accidents.
  • Major repairs.
  • Flood damage.
  • Odometer fraud.
  • Recalls.

For more information about what information will be included in a report, see our Vehicle History Reports page.

Forms for Easy Download

Bill of Sale (Form MV-016
Application for Motor Vehicle Title & Registration(Form MV-608)

Optional helpful links:

Forms

MV-016
Bill of Sale
Use the DMV's bill of sale form as a proof of purchase when transferring ownership of a vehicle in SD.
MV-608
Application for Motor Vehicle Title & Registration
Title and register your vehicle with the South Dakota Division of Motor Vehicles.
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