What county is Roswell in, and which office handles title transfers?
Roswell is in Chaves County. Title transfers are handled by the NM MVD – Roswell Office at 500 N Main St, Roswell, NM 88201. Hours: Mon–Fri 8:00 AM–4:30 PM. Phone: (888) 683-4636.
City release page
Roswell, New Mexico Bus Bill of Sale
Use this bill of sale when selling a bus in Roswell, New Mexico. It documents the transfer and helps you complete DMV title paperwork.
Roswell, New MexicoBusPopulation rank #857
What to include
- Buyer and seller names and addresses
- Bus VIN and vehicle details
- Sale price and date
- Signatures from both parties
Next step
Create a compliant bill of sale and download the signed PDF immediately.
Local Requirements — Chaves County
DMV / Title Office
NM MVD – Roswell Office
Address
500 N Main St, Roswell, NM 88201
Phone
(888) 683-4636
Office Hours
Mon–Fri 8:00 AM–4:30 PM
Transfer Fees & Taxes
Title Transfer Fee
$8.00
Sales Tax Rate
7.3125%
Base Registration Fee
$27.00
New Mexico GRT state 5.125% + Chaves County/Roswell 2.1875%
Notarization: NOT REQUIRED
New Mexico does not require notarization.
Roswell Transfer Checklist
- Title transfer at MVD within 30 days
- GRT at combined rate
- Seller must sign title assignment
- Odometer disclosure required
County Information — Chaves County
County Clerk / Recorder
Chaves County Clerk
Phone
(575) 624-6614
Bus market data and safety information
The most common bus makes in private-party sales are Blue Bird, Thomas Built, IC Bus, Freightliner, Ford (shuttle). Average private-party bus prices range from $5,000–$100,000. Buss average 3.2 NHTSA recalls per model across categories including Brakes, Engine, Electrical.
Safety checkpoints for buying a used bus
Before completing a bus bill of sale in New Mexico, verify these safety items:
- Verify DOT inspection history — buses have stricter inspection requirements than passenger vehicles
- Check emergency exit operation for all doors, windows, and roof hatches
- Inspect brake system including air brake components and ABS function
- Test all lighting, stop arms (school bus), and warning systems
Bus insurance and depreciation in New Mexico
Bus insurance varies widely — $3,000–$15,000/year depending on use (shuttle, school, tour). Passenger capacity drives premiums. Retired school buses are cheap ($3,000–$10,000) and popular for conversion projects ("skoolies"). Coach buses retain value better. Peak season for private bus sales is summer when school districts auction retired buses, with an average of 45 days on market.
Bus registration and titling
Buss are classified as "Bus or Commercial motor vehicle — CDL required for 16+ passenger capacity" for registration purposes. School buses typically 14,500–36,000 lbs GVWR. Transit and coach buses can exceed 40,000 lbs. Federal odometer disclosure does not apply to buss.
Bus sales in Roswell, New Mexico
Roswell residents completing a bus bill of sale should be aware of local requirements in addition to New Mexico state rules. The state sales tax rate is 4%, 4% motor vehicle excise tax (not standard grt). The most popular bus makes in New Mexico include Blue Bird, Thomas Built, IC Bus.
New Mexico bill of sale statistics
BillOfSaleNow has generated 524 bill of sale documents for New Mexico transactions, with 14 generated this month alone. The most popular vehicle type is car.
Why Documentation Helps Protect Asking Price
45% faster sale
Vehicles whose listings include a history report spend ~45% less time on site before selling, and report-viewers are 5x more likely to become a lead.
Source: Experian / AutoCheck
$4,000 avg loss
NHTSA estimates 450,000+ vehicles per year are sold with rolled-back odometers — the average victim loses about $4,000 in downstream repair costs.
Source: NHTSA
17.5M private sales/yr
About 17.5 million private-party vehicle transactions happen in the U.S. each year — roughly 47% of the used market.
Source: Cox Automotive 2024
1 in 3 buyers
Roughly 1 in 3 used-car buyers say they suspect private sellers are hiding mechanical problems — documentation closes that trust gap.
Source: JW Surety Bonds (n=3,000)
Frequently asked questions
What is the sales tax rate on a bus sale in Roswell?
The combined rate is 7.3125%. New Mexico GRT state 5.125% + Chaves County/Roswell 2.1875%.
Is notarization required for a bus bill of sale in Roswell?
No. New Mexico does not require notarization.
What fees should I expect when transferring a bus title in Roswell?
Title transfer fee: $8.00. Base registration fee: $27.00. Sales tax at 7.3125% is collected at the time of title transfer.