Bill of Sale Requirements in North Carolina

In North Carolina, a bill of sale is not required for private sales of vehicles. However, even though it is not required, you should still consider completing a bill of sale. Keep reading to learn more about bills of sale in North Carolina.

NOTE: A bill of sale is required when you purchase a vehicle from a dealership. Make sure the dealership provides you with a bill of sale.

Bill of Sale in NC

A bill of sale is a receipt that records the transaction—in this case, a vehicle sale—for uses both official and private, such as keeping it on file for tax purposes or legal protection in the event that a buyer fails to register a car or abandons it.

In a private sale of a car, the transfer of ownership should be completed on the vehicle's title. A bill of sale acts as supporting documentation of the sale and title transfer.

If you purchase your vehicle from a dealer, they must provide a bill of sale for you as proof of purchase. The bill of sale is needed to verify the purchase price when registering the car with the Division of Motor Vehicles.

What Is on a Bill of Sale?

If you decide to write up a bill of sale, make sure it includes the following:

  • The buyer and seller's:
    • Name.
    • Address.
    • Signature.
  • The date of the sale or trade.
  • The odometer reading.
  • The vehicle's:
    • Model.
    • Year.
    • Make.
    • Vehicle identification number (VIN).
  • The sale price.

Generic Bill of Sale

Since North Carolina does not provide a bill of sale form, we provide a free, printable generic bill of sale form for your use.

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